Merit Network Field Technician Apprentice

Company: University of Michigan

Job Location: Ann Arbor

Category: Network/System Administrator

Type: Full-Time

JOB OPENING ID: 277039

MODES OF WORK

Onsite

REGULAR/TEMPORARY: Temporary

ORGANIZATIONAL GROUP: Affiliated It Orgs

DEPARTMENT: Merit Network

SALARY: $20.00 - $20.00

Job Summary

Are you looking for an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in outside plant infrastructure while making a meaningful impact on your statewide community? 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 the necessary requirements to support outside plant operations, including maintenance, construction and ongoing quality assurance. You will develop marketable skills to work with and provide support to a variety of teams within Merit including the outside plant, network operations, network engineering ,and GIS departments. You will also work with external partners including contractors, subcontractors and vendors.

The work is in diverse indoor and outdoor environments to learn how to solve problems, implement, maintain, and strategically expand outside plant infrastructure. You will primarily engage with Merit's Outside Plant (OSP) team while also working with various teams across the organization. . You will also interact with the 24x7 Merit Support Center teams in order to coordinate OSP activities, administrative requirements, material handling, etc. Successful candidates can expect to learn skills consistent with an entry level Fiber Optic Technician or Combination Tech. This includes, but is not limited to, introductory outside plant infrastructure and construction technical skills, project planning, organization, execution, and troubleshooting skills.

Because this position requires daily on-site work, we are looking for applicants who are geographically located within a reporting range to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Expected Start Date: July 6, 2026

This position is a full-time, on-site position based in Ann Arbor. Individuals will regularly travel in support of the fiber network within Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

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

What You'll Do

Through guided hands-on training, you will participate in this 12-month apprenticeship program to gain experience in:

Network and Telecommunications Basics - Introduction to Network, and Transport hardware as well as facility support equipment. Alarm monitoring, and power systems. 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 Infrastructure Skills - 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.
Must be comfortable driving full size vans and trucks. Handling large vehicles safely is an expectation of the role.
Work at a computer station, answering telephone calls, emails, and/or other forms of customer/client/vendor communication.

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.

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 valid driver's license and acceptable driving history for operating vehicles on University of Michigan/Merit Network business is required (a successful completion of a pre-employment Motor Vehicle Record check is required before an offer can be made)
Be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire
Hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience
Have a strong interest in and general idea of network infrastructure, fiber optics, and telecommunications
Ability and willingness to travel to field sites and perform outdoor work in all weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, snow) and varied terrain
Be able to work flexible hours
Basic familiarity with, or a desire to learn, how to use common tools (e.g., screw drivers, hammers, drills, pliers)
Possess a strong work ethic, attention to detail, willingness to learn, and self-motivation
Be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, with good problem-solving skills

Desired Qualifications

Experience or understanding of 24/7 service support and needs
Proficient computer skills with emphasis on Microsoft office applications and Google suite
Strong customer service background and demonstrated organizational skills
Prior experience in a physical work environment (construction, landscaping, warehouse, etc.)

Modes 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 supervisor and may change if necessary.

Merit’s office location:

880 Technology Dr., Suite B

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Travel

Some local, state-wide, and occasional nation-wide travel in support of the fiber network within Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota is required.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

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.

Additional Information

Expected Start Date: July 6, 2026

This Field Technician Apprentice role is a temporary appointment for up to 12 months and is not a regular (ongoing) University of Michigan/Merit Network staff position. Temporary positions are not eligible for U-M paid time off plans or benefit options; however, this role does qualify for leave in accordance with the Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act (MI-ESTA). Continuation of employment is dependent on departmental need and available funding, and the appointment may end at or before the 12-month period.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

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