Merit Network Field Technician Apprentice

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in this apprenticeship program and outline skills, experience, and/or interest that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

Are you looking for an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in outside plant infrastructure while making a meaningful impact on broadband connectivity? Join Merit Network, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding high-speed internet access for Michigan's universities, colleges, K-12 schools, libraries, healthcare organizations, and other public institutions. In this role you will learn and train on the necessary requirements to support outside plant operations, including maintenance, construction and ongoing quality assurance. You will further develop skills to provide support to senior outside plant staff as well as with a variety of teams within Merit and outside teams including contractors, subcontractors and vendors. 

 

The work is in diverse environments, both indoors and outdoors, to aid in solving problems and implementing, maintaining, and expanding the outside plant infrastructure. You will primarily interface with the Merit Outside Plant (OSP) team, while also supporting Technology Operations, and must be available 24x7 when scheduled as On-Call. You will also interact with the 24x7 Merit Support Center teams in order to coordinate OSP activities, administrative requirements, material handling, etc. To be successful, you should have a willingness to learn introductory outside plant infrastructure and construction technical skills. Planning, organization, execution, and troubleshooting skills are also a desired skill set. On-call duties will be required periodically. 

 

We are looking for applicants who are geographically located within a reporting range to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The successful candidate will report to Merit's office in Ann Arbor and will be under the supervision of the Technical Field (OSP) team to plan and conduct the OSP and Network Engineering team's assignments. 

 

As an apprentice, you'll gain hands-on experience while enjoying key benefits such as: 

  • Starting at $15.50/hour, with pay increases tied to skill achievements, reaching up to $20.00/hour by program completion
  • Full access to health, dental, and retirement benefits including 2:1 retirement matching, paid time off, well-being programs, and more (http://careers.umich.edu/benefits/)
  • Fully covered coursework through Washtenaw Community College

 

You'll be based out of Ann Arbor and may travel in support of the fiber network within Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

 

Have questions about the role or want to learn more before applying?

Join our informal, open-forum Zoom sessions to connect with the hiring team! Drop in at any time during the hour and stay as long as you'd like - whether you have specific questions or just want to listen in. 

Tuesday, August 19 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Click Here to Join Tuesday's Zoom Meeting

Thursday, August 21 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Click Here to Join Thursday's Zoom Meeting

To learn more about Merit and our team, please visit our website: https://www.merit.edu 

  

What You'll Do

Through guided coursework and hands-on training, you will participate in this 18-month apprenticeship program to gain experience in:

  • Network and Telecommunications Basics. Develop a foundational understanding of networking concepts. Learn how fiber optic technology is used in telecommunications infrastructure, including signal transmission, modulation, and the role of outside plant (OSP) in broadband connectivity.
  • Technical Skills Development. Gain hands-on experience in field installations, troubleshooting fiber optic networks, and using industry-standard diagnostic tools like Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR), fusion splicers, and power meters. Develop an understanding of cable types, splicing techniques, and installation best practices.
  • Customer and Team Collaboration. Build skills in customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track service requests and maintain project documentation. Learn strategies for effective communication with internal teams, vendors, contractors, and external stakeholders. Develop a service-oriented approach to troubleshooting and problem-solving to ensure high-quality network performance and customer satisfaction.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee (with or without accommodations) to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  • Move items weighing up to 50 pounds as a regular part of duties. Employees are encouraged to ask for support when needed.
  • Pack and move the equipment required for field work to and from the storage space, field workspace, and/or transportation vehicle(s).
  • Assess and gather data from equipment and devices located in various environments, including those inside and outside buildings, located just below ground (such as hand-hole) or up to 20 feet from the ground, or located in areas that do not have easy vehicle access.

At times, you could work at a computer station, answering telephone calls, emails, and/or other forms of customer/client/vendor communication. 

Skills You Have

Required Qualifications

We welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds who are eager to learn and develop technical skills in fiber and outside plant infrastructure.  To succeed in this role, you should: 

  • Be able to legally and safely operate a personal or University of Michigan-leased motor vehicle (a successful completion of a pre-employment Motor Vehicle Record check is required)
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire
  • Hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience
  • Be able to successfully meet the admissions requirements of Washtenaw Community College, and maintain a grade of C or better in all assigned coursework during the program
  • Have a strong interest in and general idea of network infrastructure, fiber optics, and telecommunications
  • Be able to work flexible hours, including occasional on-call duties
  • Possess a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and self-motivation
  • Be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, with good problem-solving skills

Desired Qualifications

  • IT certificate or exposure to coursework, or applicable technology education 
  • Experience or understanding of 24x7 service support and needs 
  • Proficient computer skills with emphasis on Microsoft office applications and Google suite
  • Strong customer service background and demonstrated organizational skills

Modes of Work

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, on-site position with regular travel requirements. Though the typical work schedule is 8am ? 5pm, Monday through Friday for most staff, your work schedule will be determined with your assigned mentor and supervisor and may change if necessary.

Merit's office location:

880 Technology Dr., Suite B 

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Environment

This job requires working outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions in addition to operating in a professional office environment. This role also routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, cloud-based systems, and AV/teleconferencing software and equipment.

Work Attire

This role requires wearing common personal protective and/or other safety equipment.

Contact Information

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.