Norman Zabala

7143 Via Del Charro  •  Rancho Santa Fe, Ca. 92067 • Cell: 510-516-9150 • norm.zabala@yahoo.com
Mailing Address: 16921 Via de Santa Fe, Ste C, PO Box 5005135 • Rancho Santa Fe • 92067

Profile

Telecommunications Consultant with 17 years of experience in industry over the past 21yrs. Worked as OSP Design Engineer (Copper and Fiber), Project Manager, Project Engineer, Vendor Management, Project Coordinator, IT & Software Administration. Engineering & CAD Applications SME / SPOC, Application Analyst, strong IT & Software Administration. Worked in permitting process in both telecom & fire protection industries. Results driven individual with strong work ethic, client/customer service focused, solid leadership, analytical problem solving with attention to detail. Project management skills accomplished by utilizing hands-on technical knowledge and expertise. Able to multitask under pressure and well organized. Successful leader in integrating technologies to support operating, financial and organizational needs. Proficient in MS Office, Google Docs and various client Engineering data bases & applications within Google, Ericsson, AT&T, T-Mobile, PG&E. AutoCAD SME, GIS Applications:  ENE Collector, Weaver, FMS & ARES. Have also worked out of industry in Automotive & Motorcycle service repair.

 

Professional Experience & Accomplishments

 

ERICSSON, North America, San Diego, CA                March 14, 2016 – July 8, 2016
QA QC OSP Engineer: Google Fiber Project: San Diego & San Jose

 

·   Responsible for quality control of fiber placement work prints designed by the clients (Google Fiber) Auto Design program/team. Primarily doing a cost analysis on the designs for the San Diego & San Jose, California builds to ensure the best route for labor and materials based on cost efficiency as well as confirming designs (Pre and Post CRO) were in sync with GF 8.0 build architecture.

·   Project Coordination for the soon to come AT&T Lightgig project. Assist local Director in obtaining team user data required to apply for all AT&T systems access. Worked with Ericsson Engineering peers to in Texas to accomplish this task.     

 

 

CHC Consulting, LLC. Carlsbad, CA Sept 2, 2014 – Feb 29, 2016
QA Engineer, QA Manager, OSP Fiber Engineer: Google Fiber Project: Nation Wide

 

·   1^st 6mos: Responsible for quality control of fiber placement work prints designed by the Engineering team (not Auto Design), primarily doing a cost analysis on the designs to ensure the best route for labor and materials based on cost efficiency as well as confirming design (Pre and Post CRO designs, Construction packages and As-Built redlines) were in sync with current market build architecture requirement.

·   2^nd 6mos: Moved to QA Management to provide assistance in various aspects of the work engineering vendors to assist and resolve any design production issues that may have come up.

·   Last 6mos: Moved over to our new GF OSP Design Engineering dept in same location. Assist in getting this department up and running, preparing ACAD templates & designs. Now using Weaver Maps & Fiber Status Tool daily as the main source for all of GF fiber OSP data, along with jurisdiction GIS parcel viewers to prepare and complete Greenfield & Brownfield design work. All work required analyzing of current GF F1 & F2 (Feeder & Distribution) plant. All of my design work was performed under the GF build architecture in 2.0 and 7.0.  

·   Performed all of the above work using a Google Chromebook, Apple MacBook Pro & Windows PC’s all of which were required to access, update and maintain the GF GIS web based applications, databases (Google Docs, FMS & Weaver). Versed in various GF Guidelines 2.0 - 8.0. Also was 1 of the 1^st 7 people hired on to open CHC’s new Google Engineering office.
 

Engineering Associates, Tracy CAJune 25, 2013 – June 13, 2014
Project Engineer

 

·   Provide AT&T applications training to new office and field employees for a new to us AT&T contract:

o   VRAD permits, Joint Pole, SAI Expansion for FTTH Projects.

·   Developed and responsible for all team to AT&T systems access, including Employee Administration, Systems / Applications Maintenance & Repair.

·   Develop & implement engineering procedures for production drafting teams in CA & CO.

·   Develop fielding standards & procedures. Training our field team.

·   Perform QA on various CAD engineered work. Submitting of completed engineering packages for
AT&T review and approval.

·   Worked in AT&T’s ARES FRAMME, Workprint & numerous web applications: ELP, MIC, CFAS, IMAGINE, ACAS, JAM

·   Fielding of AT&T VRAD related projects for permit and facility expansions.

·   Permit preparation and submittals for various Golden State Utility projects in CA.

·   Manage work load tracker in QuickBase database.

 

 

AFL Network Service – San Francisco Bay AreaFeb 5, 2013 – June 2013
OSP Fiber Engineer – Contractor to AT&T

 

·   Perform detailed site surveys on existing commercial AT&T MPOE locations for FTTB (Fiber To The Business) project. Record data, take necessary photos.

·   Build submittal packages based on the gathered field info using: Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, MS PowerPoint.

·   Manage work load tracker.

·   Perform OSP Engineering duties on the same project using ARES FRAMME/Workprint. Drafting the energizing of fiber pairs, placing fiber cable in underground and aerial environments also placing of terminals and E-Mux equipment.

 

 

Pacific, Gas & Electric - San Ramon, CANov 13, 2012 – Dec 14, 2012

GSR Mapping Team Lead, San Ramon – Contractor
 

·   Managing a team of 10 skilled contract CAD Mapping Technicians on PG&E Gas Transmission Mapping project. We are responsible posting the back log of gas line service updates using a customized version of AutoCAD 2012: MET.

·   Trained in the use of 3 PG&E databases: TPL, SAP, & CC&B. We input and update necessary information after the CAD work is completed.

·   Also performed drafting and data Quality Check of my teams work prior to handoff to PG&E.

·   This deemed long term assignment was short lived (1 month). Client had union issues with hiring of non union contract personnel which led to the layoff over 2 contract teams = about 40 people.

 

 

Engineering Associates, Inc.Sept 2012 – Sept 2012
Sr. CAD Drafter – Contractor                                           
 

·   Establish and maintain CAD standards for our As-Built drafting of telecom industry projects.

·   Create As-Built and traffic closure permits drawings using AutoCAD 2012 based on existing records, hand drawn field sketches and information from the internet: Google Earth & Google Map. 

·   Assignment was short lived (1 month). The anticipated new client contract did not come about as expected. I was later brought back as a direct hire in a different roll in June of 2013.

 

 

Self-Employed: Auto/Motorcycle Service & RepairMay 2011 – Aug 2012
 

·   Skilled in automotive / motorcycle repair, modification and maintenance.

·   Specialized service of pre 1972 American cars, trucks along with vintage and late model American motorcycles.

 

T-Mobile USA – Site Development TeamJan 2009 – May 2011

Project Manager \ Market Coordinator - Contractor
 

·   Coordinate with and track all deliverables: circuit orders from local carriers/LEC (AT&T/Verizon) for New Site Builds, MOD/Site Augmentation, etc…

·   Execute and manage all TMO Director approved escalations with carrier upper management when orders are in jeopardy of establish due dates.

·   Manage construction and tower bid auctions and tower ordering for all project.

·   Track and provide updated order and auction status to site development team numerous times weekly.

·   Work closely with TMO RF Engineering, TMO Field Operations, TMO Central Office, Contract Construction Management, Contact Site Project Managers & Healy Provisioning team to assure our timelines are met on all site builds.

·   Well versed in the use of T-Mobile data tracking applications: TCATS, HOMER, InSite, Ebid & Portum

 

Self-Employed: Auto/Motocycle RepairMay 2008 – Dec 2008

·   Skilled in automotive / motorcycle repair, modification and maintenance.

·   Specialized service of pre 1972 American cars, trucks along with vintage and late model American motorcycles.

 

 

AT&T - Alhambra, CAJuly 2007 – May 2008
Los Angeles Construction & Engineering - Project Lightspeed                                                      
OSP / FTTN Design Engineer – Contractor

 

·   Engineer to condition Outside Plant copper facilities for the company’s FTTN (Fiber to the Node) project aka Project Lightspeed in the Los Angeles area.

·   Prepare construction work prints using AT&T’s Microstation based ARES program.

·   Utilize additional company software, applications (LFACS, LEIS), databases, images, field and past engineering notes to determine best path forward for each project.

·   Prepare and analyze project cost sheets along with other administrative task.

·   Assist fellow engineers with technical and procedural issues.

 

 

TVA Fire & Life Safety, Inc. – San Diego, CAJune 2006 – Jul 2007
CAD Operator/ Fire Protection Consultant                                                  

 

·   Coordinated with clients, architectural firms, and jurisdictions to establish submittal dates for the High Pile Stock and Hazardous Material Location permit plans. Plans drafted in the current version of AutoCAD per the local jurisdictions’ fire code requirements according to UFC, IFC and NFPA 13.

·   Track review approval process from time of submittal to final approval.

·   Assist fellow associates with technical and procedural issues.

 

 

Connell Design Group – Newport Beach, CAMay 2006 – June 2006
Cellular Site CAD Design Drafter - Contractor                                                   

 

·   Responsible for preparing CAD drawings for new cell site zoning permits for various wireless carriers. 

·   Perform QA redline review of in-house drafting prior to submittal of permit plan package to local jurisdictions. 

·   Also make corrections based on the jurisdictions redlines unapproved drawings. 

·   Provide backup and assistance to other drafters on the team.

 

ALCOA Wireless Services - San Diego, CANov 2005 – Apr 2006
Cellular Site CAD Design Drafter - Contractor                                                   

 

·   Main responsibility was to create AutoCAD zoning drawings of Cricket Communications’ new equipment site plans for city zoning approval. This included drafting from information received from existing records, surveys, field notes and hand sketches.

·   Other duties included redlining corrections of drawings and physical site assessments of existing cell sites for the Sprint/Nextel consolidation project. Created CAD drawings and Visio records of the findings in the field.

·   Provided assistance to new drafters regarding department methods and procedures.

       

 

Self-Employed: Auto/Motorcycle RepairFeb 2004 – Nov 2005

·   Skilled in automotive / motorcycle repair, modification and maintenance.

·   Specialized service of pre 1972 American cars, trucks along with vintage and late model American motorcycles.
 

Indian-Triumph Motorcycle, San Juan Capistrano, CAMay 2003 - Feb 2004

Sales and Parts Manager

 

·   Managed daily business operation of dealership with responsibility for customer sales.

·   Accountable for dealership assets including motorcycle inventory and ordering, balancing and depositing cash assets, and ordering and maintaining a parts inventory.

·   Planned and budgeted advertising and promotional events.

·   Provided maintenance of internal computer network.

·   Designed and implemented Intranet Site to establish a customer database used for direct marketing and maintaining customer service records.

 

Self-Employed Business: Auto/Motocycle RepairJan 2003 – May 2003

·   Skilled in automotive / motorcycle repair, modification and maintenance.

·   Specialized service of pre 1972 American cars, trucks along with vintage and late model American motorcycles.

SBC Services, Inc. - San Ramon, CAOct 2000 – Dec 2002

Network Planning and Engineering Support

AutoCAD SME- (Subject Matter Expert) / Project Manager - Manager
 

·   Provided leadership by functioning as the single point of contact for training and application support of AutoCAD/AutoDesk software to all Central Office Power, Switch, and Floor Space Planning Engineers in SBC Communications N.P.&E organization in 13 states

·   Served as a team member on the 13 State SBC CAD Standards Committee.  Assisted in establishing and implementing company-wide drafting guidelines.

·   Planned and facilitated on-site and Net Meeting training of AutoCAD 2000i.

o   Developed training material (Methods & Procedures), modified and maintained existing local CAD libraries and templates for company wide use.

·   Prepared proposals, cost estimates and purchase recommendations based on analyzing and evaluating various CAD and Raster software packages.

·   Provided interdepartmental systems support. 
 

 

PACIFIC BELL / SBC - San Ramon, CAJune 1999 - Oct 2000
North Bay Construction and Engineering - Tri Valley
OSP / HICAP Design Engineer – Manager

 

Overall responsibilities included design engineering and drafting of construction prints for new Broadband service within the San Francisco East Bay Area:

·   T1 service orders for customer (AT&T, WorldCom…) & PB/SBC company cell sites.

·   T1 and DSL circuits for broadband service.

 

These projects were of high priority and required with 24 hour circuit turn up from time of order received.

Duties included:

·   Analyzed growth and current condition of existing Telco facilities to optimize distribution of high bandwidth service.

·   Pre-fielded construction areas as needed.

·   Design engineering service order when needed, drafting of construction prints in AutoCAD and preparation of all associated documents.

·   Distributed all drawings and associated documents to Construction teams.

·   Manned the afterhours Bay Area T-1 / HICAP engineering assistance/call desk. 

 

PACIFIC BELL - Hayward, CAFeb 1997 - Jun 1999
North Bay Construction and Engineering - East Shore
OSP / BAU / Route Design Engineer - Manager

 

Overall responsibilities included maintaining the Telco facilities in a portion of the San Francisco East Bay Area / City of Oakland, CA.  The nature of the work was 50% service order related and 50% pre-provisioning.

·   Analyzed growth and existing Telco facilities to optimize distribution and network reliability.

·   Pre-fielded construction areas prior to designing and drafting construction drawings.

·   Use of existing facility/cable records and databases to engineer the designs.

·   Drafting of construction drawings in AutoCAD, and preparation of all associated documents.

·   Distributed all drawings and associated documents to Construction teams

·   Work with other utility engineering teams and local city departments on various projects:

o   Aerial to underground conversion of Telco facilities in the Oakland hills,

o   Provisioning of fiber optic facilities for the new Cabot Observatory in Oakland, CA.

TDSI - Training Delivery Service, Inc. - Fremont, CAOct 1995 - Feb 1997
Contractor to Pacific Bell’s Broadband Division
Team Lead /Assistant Design Engineer/Systems Administrator

Primary task was to design & draft utility / facility maps for the development of the Pacific Bell Broadband Network. Supervised contract Design Engineers responsible for initial drafting and Red Line modifications of permit drawings.
 

·   Pre-fielded work / project areas to document all information needed for mapping, engineering and drafting of construction work prints.

·   Performed quality check and provide approval of designs before handing off to Pacific Bell.

·   Assisted Chief System Administrator in the maintenance the TDSI internal network.

·   Performed wireless network installations of HP Plotters, installed and configured AutoCAD and other software for TDSI clients. 

 

 

 

Education and Specialized Training

Masters Institute, San Jose, CACertificate in Engineering Presentation-CADD Mechanical

Fremont Adult School, Fremont, CA Awarded GED Certificate

American High School, Fremont, CAProficient in AutoCAD 2012, Engineering and CAD Drafting of Telco Outside Plant Design & wireless cell site zone drawings, Digital Imaging, Technology Integration and Systems Administration, Proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook

 

Computer Related Services             Provided digital photography, computer maintenance and network

services for local businesses and associations on a referral basis.

Produced graphic designs for professional websites, association logos and promotional marketing, as well as for local non-profit organizations and community fund raising events

 

Hobbies and Interest

Automotive & Motorcycle MechanicExtensive and specialized experience and skill in classic automotive and motorcycle repair and maintenance.         

PhotographyContributor to an on-line photography group specializing in custom and classic automotive related images.