Alaska Directional LLC (AKD) is seeking an experienced OSP Project Manager to lead the planning, execution, and closeout of outside plant fiber and telecommunications infrastructure projects across Alaska. This role sits at the intersection of field operations, client management, and technical delivery — responsible for driving project performance on FTTH, FTTx, aerial and underground fiber build-out, conduit and duct bank systems, fiber splicing coordination, and associated OSP construction activities.
The OSP Project Manager manages the full project lifecycle from pre-construction through final acceptance, coordinating IBEW-represented field crews, subcontractors, material logistics, and regulatory compliance across remote and urban Alaska environments. This position requires demonstrated command of OSP construction methods, fiber plant architecture, and the technical, financial, and leadership skills to deliver on complex telecom infrastructure contracts. This position may be filled as a salaried exempt management role or as a union-represented position under the IBEW Local 1547 Outside Telecommunications Agreement; classification will be determined based on candidate background and mutual agreement at time of offer.
Key Responsibilities
Project Management & Delivery
- End-to-end project ownership: Lead OSP projects from scope development and mobilization through construction, fiber turn-up, and punch list closeout, ensuring delivery on schedule, within budget, and to specification.
- FTTH / FTTx build-out: Manage underground conduit and innerduct systems, aerial strand and lash, fiber splicing packages, service terminal placement, and drop installation in support of full FTTH and FTTx network deployments.
- Underground plant construction: Oversee directional boring, open-cut, hand-dig, and plowing operations for conduit, fiber, and associated underground infrastructure installation in varied soil conditions, permafrost zones, and wetland environments.
- OSP design interpretation: Read, interpret, and manage OSP construction drawings, strand maps, splicing diagrams, and permit packages; coordinate redlines and field markups through to as-built documentation.
- Schedule and budget management: Develop and maintain project schedules using MS Project or equivalent; track earned value, forecast cost-at-completion, and report weekly against baseline.
- Subcontractor coordination: Procure, direct, and quality-control specialty subcontractors including splicing crews, directional drill subconsultants, traffic control companies, and locating services.
- Change order management: Identify, document, price, and negotiate scope changes; maintain contemporaneous records to support claims and protect contract margin.
Technical Oversight — Fiber & OSP
- Manage aerial fiber construction including strand attachment, cable lashing, dead-ends, mid-span entries, service loop placement, and pole-top hardware installation.
- Coordinate underground fiber installation including conduit sweeps, innerduct installation, pull tape, cable pulling, slack management, and manhole/handhole terminations.
- Oversee single-mode and multimode fiber splicing operations; review splice loss reports and OTDR traces for compliance with project specifications.
- Manage fiber plant testing and commissioning, including OTDR testing, power budget verification, and client acceptance documentation.
- Coordinate with network engineers and OSP designers on route deviations, field-engineered solutions, and design corrections arising during construction.
- Apply knowledge of ANSI/TIA-568, BICSI, and utility owner standards applicable to fiber plant design and construction.
Permitting, ROW & Regulatory Compliance
- Coordinate right-of-way permits, encroachment agreements, and utility crossing applications with municipalities, ADOT&PF, USACE, ADF&G, and BLM as required by project scope.
- Manage 811 utility locate compliance; coordinate pre-construction potholing and verify clearances prior to directional drilling or open-cut operations.
- Ensure full compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926, DOT, and applicable state regulations across all OSP construction activities.
- Maintain environmental compliance in accordance with project-specific SWPPP, wetland crossing permits, and ADF&G habitat protection stipulations.
Safety Leadership
- Model and enforce AKD's zero-incident safety culture on every project; hold crews and subcontractors accountable to AKD HSE standards.
- Conduct or delegate pre-job planning meetings, daily toolbox talks, and JSA reviews in compliance with AKD-HSE-002 and applicable IBEW OTA Section 4.02 obligations.
- Participate in safety incident investigations; implement and track corrective actions through to closure.
- Ensure all personnel have current required training and PPE prior to mobilization on AKD projects.
Reporting, Communication & Stakeholder Management
This role carries explicit internal reporting obligations alongside external client-facing responsibilities. The OSP Project Manager is expected to keep AKD leadership, safety, and operations staff informed on project status, risks, and financial performance on a consistent, proactive basis.
- Internal reporting to CEO: Report directly to the CEO on project financial performance, schedule status, contract risks, and significant operational developments. Provide written project status summaries on a cadence established with the CEO; escalate material issues — cost overruns, safety incidents, client disputes, or scope conflicts — promptly and without delay.
- HSE coordination: Maintain active communication with AKD’s HSE team on field safety performance, incident investigations, corrective action status, and regulatory compliance matters. Ensure HSE staff have visibility into project mobilizations, crew changes, and site conditions that affect safety program execution.
- Operations and accounting coordination: Provide regular project cost and forecast data to AKD’s project accounting function; participate in job cost reviews and support timely billing, change order documentation, and lien waiver processes in coordination with the operations and finance teams.
- External client management: Serve as AKD’s primary point of contact for assigned projects; maintain consistent, professional communication with clients, GOR representatives, and owner’s engineers.
- Prepare and deliver monthly project status reports, schedule updates, RFI responses, and look-ahead schedules to both client and internal AKD leadership audiences.
- Participate in design review and construction coordination meetings; represent AKD’s technical and commercial interests.
Business Development Support
- Review bid packages, OSP scopes of work, and RFP requirements; contribute to cost estimates, production assumptions, and technical proposal narratives.
- Support identification of bid opportunities aligned with AKD's OSP capabilities, BBNC 8(a) status, and set-aside procurement eligibility.
- Contribute lessons-learned and unit cost benchmarks from completed projects to strengthen future estimate accuracy.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Deep technical understanding of OSP construction methods including aerial strand-and-lash, underground conduit systems, directional boring, and hand-dig/open-cut techniques.
- Working knowledge of FTTH and FTTx network architecture, including passive optical network (PON) topology, distribution and drop cable systems, splice closure types, and terminal placement standards.
- Proficiency in reading and managing OSP construction drawings, splicing diagrams, strand maps, and GIS-based route exhibits.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multi-crew field operations simultaneously across geographically dispersed project sites.
- Competency in project scheduling tools (MS Project, Primavera P6, or equivalent) and cost tracking disciplines including earned value management.
- Familiarity with government contracting requirements, RFP compliance, prevailing wage standards, and 8(a)/set-aside procurement frameworks.
- Strong knowledge of OSHA 1926 construction safety standards and field HSE program implementation.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and GIS data relevant to telecom OSP construction.
- Working proficiency with standard business software including word processing, spreadsheet, and email/calendar tools; hands-on experience with field documentation and project management platforms such as Procore, Fieldwire, MS Project, or equivalent.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; capable of presenting project status clearly to executive, client, and regulatory audiences.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
Work is performed in both office and field environments. Field assignments may involve extended periods outdoors in Alaska weather conditions including extreme cold, rain, wind, and rough terrain. Some assignments require travel to remote communities accessible only by small aircraft or seasonal waterway.
- Must be able to access active construction sites, traverse uneven terrain, and perform periodic manual tasks associated with site inspection and crew coordination.
- Hearing sufficient to detect audible safety signals and communicate in high-noise environments.
- Visual acuity sufficient to read construction drawings, inspect fiber terminations, and safely navigate field environments.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds and operate standard field equipment.
- Available to work extended hours, weekends, and on-call as project demands require.
Employment Conditions
All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check. AKD maintains a drug and alcohol testing program covering pre-employment, random, post-incident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty situations. Specific projects may impose additional testing requirements under federal contract or client program obligations; employees in this role are expected to remain in full compliance throughout employment.
This document describes the general nature and scope of the position. It is not a contract of employment, and the duties, reporting relationships, and requirements described herein may be modified by AKD management as business needs evolve.
Alaska Directional LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fair and inclusive hiring practices. Qualified candidates are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected under applicable state or federal law.
Alaska Directional LLC grants employment preference first to BBNC shareholders, their spouses or descendants, and second to other Alaska Native Corporation shareholders in accordance with P.L. 93-638.