Field Services Engineer

The Field Service Engineer supports the University's campus communications infrastructure by planning, installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting structured cabling and related systems. This role provides hands-on field execution for fiber and copper infrastructure, ensures compliance with University and industry standards, and partners closely with network engineering, project teams, facilities and public safety stakeholders. The position is responsible for high quality installation and repair work, accurate documentation and closeout, and timely customer communication.

Bargaining unit consideration begins on May 18, 2026 and ends on May 24, 2026.

Salary: $33.93 to $48.33 per hour

This is a day shift position with a standard 40 hour workweek. The typical schedule is Monday to Friday from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, although hours may vary based on project and operational needs. The position is overtime eligible and may require on-call or emergency response coverage. Travel to other University of Minnesota campuses and locations within Minnesota is required.

This position is represented by a bargaining unit AFSCME Technical. Dues or fair share deductions will be made.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Field Engineering, Installation, and Maintenance (Primary)

• Install, test, troubleshoot, and repair fiber and copper infrastructure, including backbone and horizontal cabling, patch panels, termination hardware, grounding and bonding, and associated communications room infrastructure.
• Perform moves, adds, changes, and repairs in main distribution frames (MDF) intermediate distribution frames (IDF) and telecommunications spaces, including re-termination, reroutes, and remediation work.
• Install, support, and coordinate connectivity for networked devices as assigned (for example, wireless access points, cameras, blue light phones, building systems connectivity), in coordination with responsible engineering teams.
• Use approved test equipment to certify cabling and fiber performance (for example, copper certification testers, OTDR, light source and power meter), interpret results, and resolve faults.
• Maintain readiness for incident response, including rapid triage and restoration work during outages.

Project Planning, Coordination, and Delivery

• Conduct site walks and field surveys, identify pathways and room readiness, confirm scope feasibility, and develop field implementation plans.
• Create estimates and time and materials planning for field labor and standard materials, contribute to project schedules, and coordinate field activities with project managers, vendors, contractors, and internal teams.
• Review drawings and field conditions, identify constructability issues, and escalate risks early (pathways, space constraints, code and standards conflicts, access constraints).
• Provide field leadership during installations, including sequencing work across multiple locations and coordinating dependencies.

Standards, Quality, and Contractor Oversight

• Apply Industry, University, and OIT standards and best practices for structured cabling and fiber work (for example, labeling, color coding, pathway use, bend radius, strain relief, rack standards).
• Inspect contractor work for compliance, completeness, test results, labeling, and documentation quality, and coordinate punch list resolution.
• Support continuous improvement of standard details, checklists, and field procedures to improve quality and reduce rework.

Documentation, Systems, and Service Management

• Maintain accurate, timely records of work performed, including test results, labeling information, as-built updates, and closeout documentation.
• Use University ticketing and work management tools to document work, communicate status, manage assignments, and close requests.
• Maintain accuracy of infrastructure records in designated systems (for example, cable management databases, mapping tools, documentation repositories), and ensure work is traceable for operations and future projects.

Customer Communication and Stakeholder Partnership

• Communicate clearly with customers, building contacts, and project stakeholders, including explaining impacts, constraints, options, and timelines in plain language.
• Coordinate work that impacts critical services with appropriate stakeholders (for example, Network Engineering, Facilities, Public Safety) and follow required change or outage communication practices.
• Provide technical guidance to colleagues, share field knowledge, and help improve team consistency and documentation quality.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed across indoor and outdoor environments, including telecom rooms, construction sites, and active facilities.
• May require work during evenings, early mornings, and weekends to support outages, project cutovers, or operational needs.
• Must be able to safely lift and carry tools and materials, work in confined or elevated spaces, and perform repetitive installation tasks using hand and power tools.
• Must comply with all University safety requirements, including PPE, ladder and lift safety, and jobsite safety practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to install, maintain, and troubleshoot structured cabling infrastructure in a large organization or campus environment, including fiber and copper systems.
• Experience reading and interpreting prints, diagrams, riser drawings, and telecom room layouts, and translating them into accurate field work.
• Experience using industry standard test tools and producing test documentation for copper and fiber systems.
• Demonstrated ability to follow technical standards, produce accurate documentation, and complete work with a strong quality and safety orientation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, including documenting work clearly and providing customer updates.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to multiple locations; must maintain a driving record acceptable to the University.
• Current and valid State of Minnesota Power Limited Technician (PLT) license, or ability to obtain and maintain it as a condition of employment, as required by the work assigned.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements of the role, including working on ladders and lifts, lifting and carrying tools and materials, and working in mechanical and telecom spaces.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a higher education, healthcare, or similarly complex multi-building environment with large scale communications infrastructure.
• Training or certification aligned to structured cabling and telecom infrastructure (for example, BICSI coursework, fiber optics training).
• Experience coordinating vendor and contractor work, including inspections, test result review, and punch list management.
• Familiarity with applicable standards and code concepts relevant to low-voltage infrastructure (for example, TIA standards, grounding and bonding practices).
• Experience supporting or coordinating connectivity for public safety and building systems (cameras, emergency phones, access control connectivity), in partnership with responsible system owners.

Pay Range: $33.93 - $48.33 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Required application materials: resume and cover letter

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.