Homes throughout the world are equipped with telephone, Internet, and cable television service, all of which were hooked up by a line installer. This professional is responsible for stringing communication lines from a utility pole into a residential or commercial building. In order to accomplish this task, she may need to dig trenches, climb ladders, or crawl underneath the foundation of the structure. An associate's degree in communications or electronics can be helpful to someone interested in one of these positions.
Many times, a line installer's duties begin when a customer requests a new communications service. This could be for cable television, telephone service, or Internet access. The installer may run lines from a utility pole or other piece of equipment such as a satellite dish. Line installers often drive a truck or van that contains special equipment such as extension ladders when they go on service calls.
Other times, an installer may be required to bury wire as she is installing it. This could involve digging trenches on a homeowner's property, placing the wire in the trench, and then covering it with dirt. Some line installer jobs require only minimal digging, so this task can be completed with a hand shovel. Other jobs may call for extensive digging, in which case the worker may use a special machine for doing so. Some jurisdictions require communications companies to obtain a permit prior to burying lines, so an installer may sometimes be involved in this process as well.
Once a line installer has run the communications wire into a residence, she must then hook it up to an electronic device. After doing so, she may need to test the equipment to see if it is operating properly. This could involve having the homeowner operate the equipment to make sure she is satisfied with the results. If the customer has questions about how to use certain devices, the installer may be able to answer them as well.
A high school diploma or equivalent is one of the more common line installer requirements. Although this may be true, an associate's degree in electronics or communications can be helpful in landing one of these positions. Staying up-to-date with changes in technology can be important in this career field, so many companies offer ongoing training to their associates who perform this type of work.
