Structured Cabling and Networking Technician

Purpose of the role

• To design, install, configure, test, commission, maintain, and troubleshoot structured cabling infrastructure and enterprise networking systems. The
• Structured Cabling and Networking technician is responsible for delivering reliable, secure, scalable, and high-performance network infrastructure that supports customers ICT and communication requirements. The role involves conducting site surveys, preparing technical designs, installing copper and fibre-optic cabling systems, configuring network devices, and providing technical support to ensure optimal network connectivity and performance.

Key Job Accountabilities

Site Surveys and Technical Assessment

• Conduct site surveys to assess customer requirements, existing network infrastructure, building layouts and installation environments.
• Identify cable routes, equipment locations, telecommunications rooms, server rooms, network cabinets and network connection points.
• Assess existing copper and fibre-optic infrastructure and identify upgrade or expansion requirements.
• Determine network connectivity, bandwidth, coverage and infrastructure requirements.

Structured Cabling Design and Planning

• Design structured cabling systems for commercial buildings, offices, data centres, campuses and other facilities.
• Prepare cable layout drawings, network topology diagrams, cable routing plans, rack elevations and bills of quantities (BOQs).
• Design copper and fibre-optic cabling infrastructure in accordance with applicable industry standards and customer specifications.
• Determine cable types, cable categories, fibre types, termination points, patch panels, outlets, racks and containment requirements.
• Plan network cabinet layouts, patching arrangements, cable management, and equipment positioning.

Structured Cabling Installation and Termination

• Install copper data cables, fibre-optic cables, patch panels, faceplates, outlets and telecommunications cabinets.
• Install cable containment systems, including trunking, conduits, cable trays, ladders and conduits as required.
• Perform cable pulling, dressing, termination, splicing, patching and labelling.
• Terminate copper cables using appropriate standards and practices, including T568A and T568B where specified.
• Perform fibre-optic termination, fusion splicing and fibre distribution frame installation where required.
• Ensure installations are neat, organized, properly supported and compliant with approved designs and installation standards.

Network Equipment Installation and Configuration

• Install, configure and maintain network switches, routers, wireless access points, firewalls and related network devices.
• Configure IP addressing, VLANs, trunking, routing, switching, DHCP, DNS and other network services as required.
• Configure wireless networks, SSIDs, authentication and access point connectivity where applicable.
• Support network equipment rack installation, patching, power connections and equipment integration.
• Ensure network devices are configured according to approved designs, security requirements and manufacturer recommendations.

Testing, Certification and Commissioning

• Conduct structured cabling tests and certification using appropriate copper and fibre-optic testing equipment.
• Perform wire mapping, continuity, length, attenuation, insertion loss, return loss, and other relevant cable tests.
• Conduct fibre-optic testing using Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs), optical power meters and light sources where applicable.
• Verify network connectivity, link speeds, VLAN functionality, routing, wireless connectivity and overall network performance.
• Identify, document, and rectify installation defects and network faults before commissioning.
• Prepare test results and commissioning reports for customer acceptance.

Work experience & Technical Proficiency

• At least 2–4 years of relevant experience in structured cabling installation, ICT networking, network support or ICT infrastructure implementation.
• Practical experience installing, terminating, testing and certifying copper and fibre-optic cabling systems.
• Experience with Cat6, Cat6A, fibre-optic cabling, patch panels, network outlets, racks and cable containment systems.
• Experience installing and configuring switches, routers, wireless access points and other network devices.
• Practical knowledge of network troubleshooting, IP addressing, VLANs, routing and switching.
• Experience using cable certification equipment, OTDRs, fusion splicers and network diagnostic tools is desirable.
• Experience preparing network drawings, cable schedules, test reports and as- built documentation.
• Experience working on commercial, corporate, institutional, or data centre ICT infrastructure projects is an added advantage.

Education Background

• Bachelors degree, Higher National Diploma, or Diploma in Information Technology,Computer Science, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering,Electrical and Electronic Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Professional certifications in networking and structured cabling are an added advantage.
• Relevant vendor certifications from Cisco, MikroTik, Huawei, Juniper or other networking technology providers are desirable.
• Certifications or training in fibre-optic installation, splicing, testing, and structured cabling are an advantage.
• Training in occupational health and safety and working at heights is desirable.