Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

• Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
• Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.
• Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.
• Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
• Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.
• Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks.
• Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.
• Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
• Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
• Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
• Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity.
• Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use.
• Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.
• Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems.
• Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.
• Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.
• Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
• Supervise maintenance of telecommunications equipment.
• Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools.
• Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations.
• Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.
• Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems.
• Prepare system activity and performance reports.
• Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists.

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists.