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Tower technicians have various responsibilities. Check out today’s blog post for a breakdown of the responsibilities of someone in the industry.
Tower technicians have long played an essential role in maintaining communications systems.
They were known as wireless telegraph operators during the early 1900s. Then came the telephone companies, which needed people to climb up poles and string wires along them.
Nowadays, tower technicians continue to have a crucial responsibility in maintaining our cell phone towers and other modern communication equipment.
In this post, you'll learn more about the responsibilities of a tower technician and how to become one.
Tower technicians install and repair communication equipment towers such as cell phone antennas, television broadcast stations, or radio transmitters. They also monitor the equipment and report problems to their supervisors.
Additionally, tower technicians are responsible for ensuring that all equipment on cell phone towers is working properly at all times. A telecommunications company may employ a tower technician or a technician can work independently as a contractor.
The job requires the technician to wear protective clothing, carry tools and supplies, and climb ladders and scaffolding. Many hazards are associated with tower jobs, including electrical shocks, exposure to extreme weather conditions, and falling objects.
Therefore, tower technicians are required to complete courses to earn certification for their trade.
The duties of a tower technician vary depending upon the type of tower they work on.
The tower technician is responsible for the operation and maintenance or repair work of the tower, including its equipment. The technician must be able to read blueprints related to the tower's construction or modification.
Furthermore, the technician should have a working knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems.
When you've earned your certification to become a tower technician or tower climber, you can experience many benefits. If you decide to work independently, you can choose to work your own hours and set your rate.
But if you choose to work for an organization, you can earn a salary and become part of a team that can help you improve your knowledge and skills. You'll also have excellent career opportunities because there is high demand for tower technicians in the US.
Additionally, some companies offer on-the-job training for new apprentices. If you enjoy the thrill of heights, then that's another perk you'll experience as a tower technician.
The only aspect you must get used to is that time flexibility is required, and sometimes you'll need to work long hours. But if you are diligent and you have an excellent work ethic, you'll have the opportunity to work with larger corporations.
If you're looking to start a tower technician career, then you must learn the trade. It is considered a high-risk job, so you'll need the correct certification and licensing. Some companies may require a high school diploma along with your certification.
Moreover, you'll need a driver's license to get around because you may need to visit clients regularly with equipment and tools needed for tower maintenance or repair work. This section will explain the courses and training you need for the job.
A tower technician education program should offer courses on topics such as
As a graduate, you'll be prepared for entry-level positions such as:
It should be noted that the educational requirements may differ depending on the state you reside in and the requirements of the position you've applied for. You may need a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree.
The training and experience required to obtain your tower technician certification vary by state. Still, most states require at least one year of on-the-job training before applying for certification.
You may also need a certificate from an accredited school or college or two years of work experience. To ensure your and your colleagues' safety, you'll need to undergo safety training specific to the trade.
You'll learn how to repel and climb towers in your safety training. In addition, you'll learn how to make repairs under pressure. Furthermore, you will be working in high-risk conditions, so it's crucial that you practice your safety training at all times when working.
The tower technician certification duration can differ depending on the school you're studying through.
Some courses are two weeks, and others can be longer. The course provides the knowledge, skills, and safety standards required in the telecommunications industry. The course covers topics such as:
You'll also obtain your first aid certificate, where you'll learn how to do CPR in case there's an accident on the job. To earn your tower technician certificates, you must complete and pass all the examinations by your educator.
A tower technician has to be able to work at heights, climb ladders, and use tools such as hammers, drills, saws, and other equipment. A technician also works under extreme pressure and must communicate effectively with others.
In this section, you'll learn more about important skills and qualities needed to become a tower technician.
A cell tower technician must be able to install, maintain, repair, and replace all equipment used for cellular communications. The technician also needs to know how to troubleshoot any problems during installation, maintenance, and repairs.
There are additional types of construction equipment you must work with, such as:
Tower technicians also work with rigging tools, so you must learn how to use and inspect them to avoid accidents on the job. In addition, if installations have faults, you must know how to identify and fix the problem accordingly.
Furthermore, you must know how to work with power tools — such as drills — and hand tools to install and repair cell towers. Finally, you must be able to install and repair cables without hassle when needed.
Lastly, line splicing is also a technical skill that cell tower technicians need. Splicing includes cutting and connecting wires to allow current to run through the lines.
Cell tower technicians must be able to solve problems quickly and accurately when it comes to working with heavy equipment or repairing antennas and other tower infrastructure.
The job requires problem-solving skills such as troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing equipment. In addition, cell towers need to be maintained regularly, so technicians must work overtime to keep up with demand.
Co-workers may also need help solving problems, so you must be there to assist your team.
Tower technicians work on tight deadlines because problems must be fixed as quickly as possible. Therefore, you may need to be flexible and change your priorities based on the task at hand.
The cell tower technician's organization skills consist of the ability to work independently, communicate effectively, and be able to perform technical tasks. A cell tower technician must be able to understand electrical diagrams and be familiar with radio frequency regulations.
Another important skill is working in a timely manner to ensure all tasks are completed to the client's specifications.
Tower technicians must also have easy access to the necessary tools, so they don't have to keep repelling and climbing the tower for equipment. You may need to keep records of repairs and maintenance jobs. So you'll need to keep physical or digital documentation on cell towers that have been worked on.
As a tower technician, you'll also learn how to manage a team effectively to improve productivity and identify safety hazards. You'll work together to perform maintenance tasks on towers.
You will need excellent communication skills to succeed as a tower technician.
Professional cell tower technicians need to be able to explain complex concepts to co-workers and clients. In addition, you may need to learn how to use a radio to communicate with crew members on the ground while you're working.
If you're running behind on schedule, you must be able to communicate with your supervisors and clients and provide an estimated turnaround time for task completion.
In addition, you'll need to listen carefully to instructions from supervisors and co-workers to ensure you're meeting the standards of your clients.
As a cell tower technician, you must be extremely fit because you'll be active for many hours on the job, and you'll need to know how to climb communication towers. You'll be climbing, rigging, and installing components of the tower, and you need to be able to lift equipment.
The job requires you to crawl, stoop, and bend at the waist. You must also be able to pull up your own body weight and tool boxes up cell phone towers that can be more than 400ft.
You'll be working outdoors in all types of weather conditions, so you must be able to handle extreme heat, cold climates, rain, and even snow.
PCI (Pinnacle Career Institute) is a trade school program that offers online trade school programs for HVAC, wind turbine technicians, tower technicians, and wind energy technology. We also offer GWO safety training courses for entire teams of employees.
The Tower Technician Program at PCI offers students the opportunity to learn about the world of construction through hands-on experience. Students work closely with our team of professionals who provide them with training and mentorship throughout the duration of the program.
Our goal is for each student to graduate from the program with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful technician.
When you've completed your course, you'll be ready for an entry-level position in one of the following roles:
Our 30-week program is primarily online, but also includes physical, hands-on classes for ten consecutive days at our boot camp in Kansas City. If you're ready to start your tower technician career, you'll learn everything you need to know during your stay with us.
Once you have completed your course, you can choose to work for an established organization, or you can become an independent contractor.
We look forward to helping you reach your goals and providing you with the necessary skills to become a successful tower technician. Apply now to start your tower technician career!
