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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Junction Crew Leader

💰 $55,000 - $85,000 Annually

ConstructionTelecommunicationsSkilled TradesLeadershipUtilities

🎯 Role Definition

The Junction Crew Leader is a pivotal field leadership role, acting as the on-the-ground expert and supervisor for a team of skilled technicians. This individual is directly responsible for orchestrating the installation, maintenance, and repair of vital telecommunications and utility infrastructure. More than just a supervisor, the Crew Leader is a hands-on mentor, safety champion, and quality control authority, ensuring that every project is executed with precision, on schedule, and in strict compliance with all safety regulations. They are the crucial link between the project management team and the field crew, translating blueprints into tangible results and resolving complex challenges as they arise in dynamic work environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Cable Splicer / Junction Technician
  • Experienced Lineman or Utility Worker
  • Lead Construction Laborer (with specialized training)

Advancement To:

  • Construction Supervisor
  • Field Operations Manager
  • Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Field Safety Coordinator
  • Quality Assurance Inspector
  • Technical Trainer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and direct the daily activities of a junction or splicing crew, ensuring all assigned tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.
  • Oversee and perform the installation, maintenance, and repair of underground and aerial telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber optic, coaxial, and copper cables.
  • Execute and supervise complex cable splicing, termination, and testing procedures for both new construction projects and existing network upgrades.
  • Interpret and implement construction blueprints, schematics, and work orders to guide crew operations and ensure all project specifications are precisely met.
  • Conduct mandatory pre-job briefings and daily safety meetings (tailgate talks) to review potential hazards, work procedures, and emergency protocols with the crew.
  • Enforce strict adherence to all company, client, and regulatory safety standards, including OSHA, DOT, and local traffic control regulations.
  • Manage on-site inventory of critical materials, tools, and equipment, coordinating with warehouse and logistics teams to prevent shortages and costly project delays.
  • Operate and oversee the proficient use of specialized construction equipment such as trenchers, backhoes, directional drills, cable plows, and aerial bucket trucks.
  • Accurately document all work performed by the crew, including "as-built" drawings, daily production reports, crew time sheets, and material usage logs.
  • Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for clients, project managers, public officials, and property owners, providing regular progress updates and professionally resolving issues.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues within the network, utilizing diagnostic tools like OTDRs, TDRs, and power meters to pinpoint and correct faults.
  • Actively train, mentor, and develop crew members, fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous skill improvement in a hands-on manner.
  • Perform rigorous quality control inspections throughout the project lifecycle to ensure all workmanship meets or exceeds industry and company standards.
  • Manage and enforce the proper setup, maintenance, and takedown of MOT (Maintenance of Traffic) and other work zone safety measures to protect the crew and the general public.
  • Coordinate directly with utility locating services (e.g., 811 "Call Before You Dig") to identify and meticulously avoid conflicts with existing underground infrastructure.
  • Monitor project progress against established schedules and budgets, promptly reporting any deviations, risks, or unforeseen conditions to the Construction Supervisor or Project Manager.
  • Assume full responsibility for the care, routine maintenance, and security of all company-issued vehicles, tools, and expensive equipment assigned to the crew.
  • Perform hands-on construction and splicing work alongside the crew as required to meet project deadlines, overcome challenges, and lead by example.
  • Respond to emergency call-outs for network outages or cable damage, leading the crew in rapid damage assessment and service restoration efforts, often in adverse conditions.
  • Evaluate the performance of individual crew members, providing regular, constructive feedback and contributing to formal annual performance review processes.
  • Ensure the job site is kept clean and organized throughout the project and is fully restored to its original or better condition upon project completion.

Secondary Functions

  • Support project managers with ad-hoc reporting and site-specific data collection.
  • Contribute field-level insights to improve construction standards and operational procedures.
  • Collaborate with engineering and planning departments to review project feasibility and design documents.
  • Participate in weekly project review meetings and safety committee discussions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in fiber optic and copper cable splicing, including fusion and mechanical techniques.
  • Expertise in reading and interpreting complex engineering blueprints, schematics, and GIS maps.
  • Skilled in the safe operation of heavy construction equipment (backhoe, trencher, directional drill, etc.).
  • Competency with advanced telecommunications testing equipment (OTDR, TDR, Power Meter, VFL).
  • Thorough knowledge of underground utility locating procedures and equipment.
  • Certification or strong experience in setting up and managing MOT (Maintenance of Traffic) and traffic control zones.
  • Deep understanding of OSP (Outside Plant) construction standards, materials, and best practices.
  • Ability to perform aerial work from bucket trucks or by climbing poles, including pole transfers and hardware installation.
  • In-depth knowledge of OSHA safety regulations and industry-specific safety protocols for construction and utility work.
  • Competence in completing detailed daily work reports, "as-built" documentation, and other required project paperwork using digital or paper-based systems.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Mentoring
  • Strong Verbal and Written Communication
  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
  • Decisiveness Under Pressure
  • Unwavering Safety-Conscious Mindset
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Adaptability & Flexibility
  • Customer and Stakeholder Management
  • Time Management and Organization
  • Conflict Resolution

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or Associate's Degree from a technical/vocational school.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Telecommunications Technology
  • Electrical Construction & Maintenance
  • Construction Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5-7 years of progressive experience in telecommunications, utility, or a related construction field.

Preferred:

  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in a lead technician, foreman, or supervisory capacity, demonstrating the ability to successfully lead a crew.
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