Structured Cabling and Networking Technician

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.