Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Network Planner Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Network Planner Coordinator is a pivotal role that serves as the organizational backbone for our network development initiatives. This position bridges the gap between high-level engineering designs and on-the-ground project execution. The coordinator is entrusted with managing the intricate details of network planning, from initial site analysis and design validation to resource allocation and documentation management. Working at the intersection of engineering, project management, and operations, this individual ensures that all planning activities for network expansions, upgrades, and new builds are meticulously organized, tracked, and communicated, enabling seamless and efficient project delivery in a fast-paced telecommunications environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Network Technician
Project Coordinator / Junior Project Manager
GIS Technician or Analyst
Field Engineer

Advancement To:

Senior Network Planner
Network Design Engineer
Technical Project Manager
Network Capacity Manager

Lateral Moves:

Network Operations Analyst
GIS Analyst (Specialist)
OSP (Outside Plant) Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Coordinate the end-to-end planning process for telecommunications network projects, including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), 5G/LTE wireless deployments, and core network infrastructure upgrades.
Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) to create, analyze, and maintain detailed network maps, design layouts, and spatial data for planned infrastructure routes.
Liaise with internal stakeholders, including network engineers, project managers, and field operations teams, to gather project requirements and ensure design feasibility aligns with company standards.
Prepare, manage, and track essential project documentation, including bills of materials (BOMs), scopes of work (SOWs), permit applications, and construction drawings, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
Track project milestones and deliverables, proactively identifying potential risks, scheduling conflicts, and resource constraints, and reporting findings to the project management team.
Conduct preliminary site walks and desktop surveys to assess the viability of proposed network routes and equipment locations, documenting physical and environmental conditions.
Interface with external partners, such as utility companies, municipalities, and third-party contractors, to coordinate right-of-way access, joint trenching opportunities, and permit approvals.
Maintain a centralized repository of all planning and design documents, ensuring version control and accessibility for all relevant project team members.
Review and validate network designs submitted by engineering teams or external vendors for completeness, accuracy, and adherence to technical specifications and build standards.
Develop and maintain detailed project schedules and work-breakdown structures for the planning phase, providing regular status updates to leadership.
Assist in forecasting material and equipment needs for upcoming projects, coordinating with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure timely availability.
Analyze network capacity and traffic data to support engineers in identifying areas requiring upgrades or expansion, contributing to long-term network strategy.
Generate and present comprehensive planning packages for project kickoff meetings, outlining the design, required materials, key contacts, and construction sequence.
Act as the primary point of contact for resolving administrative and logistical issues that arise during the pre-construction and planning stages of a project.
Ensure all planned network elements are accurately entered and updated within the company’s network inventory and asset management systems.
Facilitate communication between design engineers and construction crews to clarify design intent and resolve any field-based discrepancies or challenges.
Support the development of cost estimates and budgets for network projects by providing accurate data on materials, labor, and permitting fees.
Monitor the progress of permit applications through various jurisdictions, maintaining relationships with permitting authorities to expedite approvals.
Participate in post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and contribute to the continuous improvement of network planning processes and standards.
Create and distribute regular and ad-hoc reports on planning activities, project status, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for management review.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform strategic network decisions.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of the organization's network planning tools, processes, and documentation standards.
Collaborate with business units to translate future service needs and market demands into tangible network planning requirements.
Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies if working within an agile project management framework.
Assist in training new team members or junior coordinators on company-specific planning software and procedures.
Support the finance department by providing accurate project data for capital expenditure tracking and budget reconciliation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

GIS Software Proficiency: Demonstrated experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or MapInfo for spatial analysis, data editing, and cartographic output.
Network Design Software: Familiarity with network design or drafting tools like AutoCAD, Vetro, 3-GIS, or similar fiber/telecom design software.
Telecommunications Knowledge: Strong understanding of telecommunications infrastructure, including OSP/ISP, fiber optics, copper, coax, and wireless technologies (LTE, 5G).
Project Coordination Tools: Proficiency in using project management software such as Jira, Asana, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Project to track tasks, timelines, and resources.
Data Management: Ability to manage, interpret, and maintain large datasets within spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets) and databases with a high degree of accuracy.
Permitting Process Knowledge: Understanding of municipal, state, and federal permitting processes, including right-of-way (ROW) and environmental regulations.
Technical Documentation: Skill in reading, interpreting, and creating technical documents like construction drawings, network schematics, and bills of materials (BOMs).

Soft Skills

Exceptional Organization: Meticulous attention to detail and superior organizational skills to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously without sacrificing quality.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking abilities to proactively identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely convey technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Time Management: Outstanding time management and prioritization skills to meet tight deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements, new technologies, and evolving business priorities.
Self-Motivation: A proactive, self-starting attitude with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision while taking ownership of responsibilities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent, coupled with significant relevant work experience. An Associate's degree is often a baseline.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Telecommunications or Network Engineering
Project Management
Information Technology or Computer Science
Geography (with a GIS focus) or Urban Planning
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of experience in a coordination, planning, or project support role.

Preferred:

Direct experience in the telecommunications, utility, or construction industry, specifically related to fiber optic, wireless, or other network infrastructure planning and deployment. Experience working with outside plant (OSP) engineering and construction processes is highly desirable.