Patrick L. Harper

2419 South St • Beaumont, TX  77702

 

Telecommunications professional

 

Highly skilled leader with extensive experience, exceptional telecom knowledge, and proven strengths in managing all aspects of project life cycle. Direct pre-construction activities, including pre-survey and pricing, while evaluating and implementing new technologies. Expertise in strategic manpower and resource utilization. Experienced at working with meters and using testing equipment, including T-BERD and OTDR, to splice and repair fiber optics and digital carrier systems. Install, test, and maintain network terminal equipment, switching systems, and circuit equipment. Knowledgeable of fast packet switching technologies and ESS translation guidelines. Partner with government agencies to process Right of Way requests and permits. Recognized for exemplary work ethic, excellent problem solving abilities, and solid troubleshooting skills.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WINDSTREAM COMMUNICATIONS,   Newton, TX

Project Manager – Construction  2013 - Present

Overall responsibility for the design, permitting, material acquisition, construction and tie-in of outside plant construction projects as assigned. The work includes conceptual development of projects, route development, cost estimating, project planning, project scheduling, mapping, communications with city, county and state permitting agencies, working with private property owners such as individuals and railroad companies to secure easements and licenses, working with telephone companies and private building owners to secure building entrance approval and installation of building entrances, development of construction bid documents, bid analysis and recommendation of contractors, contract negotiations, city, state and county permit applications, pole attachment applications, pole line make ready review, expediting, monitoring of contractor progress, contractor quality inspection and timely turnover of assigned projects.

Key Responsibilities:
• Perform pre-construction site visit to evaluate and resolve any construction issues including the incorporation and coordination of any necessary modifications to the design plan.
• Assign and review work schedules for construction activities.
• Enforce all necessary safety practices and procedures relate to the construction activities.
• Reconcile final As-Built construction drawings, invoices and payments for the job.
• Inspect construction work to ensure compliance with standard contract units and descriptions.
• Communicate with other utilities, engineering, and/or construction personnel about construction issues.

Functional Responsibilities:
•   Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently. Responsible for all phases of projects assigned.
•   Monitor all aspects of the project and expedite or escalate as appropriate to achieve the cost, quality and schedule goals for the project. Make recommendations to management regarding ways to get the project back on track to meet cost, quality and schedule goals if it becomes apparent that any of those goals are not being met.
•   Review and evaluate potential routes to determine least cost and quickest to market solutions.
•   Prepare preliminary cost estimates and route proposals including descriptions of the proposed project and a map showing the preliminary route that is the basis for the estimate.
•   Identification of pole ownership for proposed routes.
•   Identification of right of way and permitting requirements for proposed routes.
•   Design and engineering of final approved projects including final route recommendation, field engineering and pole loading (these function are performed by others however the OSP PM is responsible for ensuring that the work is started and completed on time and is sufficient to obtain the required permit approvals.
•   Identify and obtain pole attachment agreements and structure access agreement as need to facilitate cable placement and submit for and obtain pole attachment permits and structure access permits.
• Identify permit requirements for city, county and state construction permits and submit for and obtain permits as needed to facilitate cable installation.
• Work with company assigned attorneys to obtain required agreements, permits and other authorizations as required to allow cable installation.
• Manage and direct all activities related to construction jobs to deliver them on time and within capital expenditure guidelines.
• Serve as an in-house Subject Matter Expert (SME) on outside plant installation and/or maintenance activities as well as Windstream Construction Practices.
• Knowledge of technical specifications and characteristics of telephone cable (copper and fiber), load coils, repeaters, pair gain equipment, placement of poles, attachments, cable load analysis, directional boring, trenching, plowing, easements, right-of-way, surveying, etc.
• Develop plans and implement strategies to complete projects within the days to day functions.
• Exercises sound judgement in selecting methods/techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Provide work guidance to construction crews for field deviations in support of new construction of outside plant network structures and facilities.

 

 

 

Qwest Communications, Colorado Springs, CO2000–2002; 2008–2010

Construction Supervisor / Contract Inspector • 2008–2010

·   Delegate outside plant construction and maintenance work to utility contractors; perform quality inspections, ensuring that material is properly disbursed and reconciled by contractors.

·   Act as single point of contact between Qwest employees and contractors; effectively resolve issues throughout construction and maintenance processes.

·   Verify engineering work orders (EWOs) and approve/reject contractor requests.

·   Interface with contractors and government agencies to address quality and safety issues.

·   Provide technical support to contract administrators and order all exempt and non-exempt materials.

·   Promote Qwest’s Spirit of Service with each customer interaction, which supports continued business growth and builds customer loyalty.

·   Collaborate with network managers/directors to resolve service escalations in timely and efficient manner.

·   Monitor and approve expenses in alignment with budgetary guidelines.

·   Solidify strong working partnerships with union employees and maintain comprehensive understanding of collective bargaining agreement.

 

Senior Design Engineer • 2000–2002 / Design Engineer • 2000

·   Managed engineering functions specific to local loop.

·   Issued engineering work packages (EWPs), including prints in OSP-FM and Cimage cad tools, within designated geographical areas for copper and fiber systems; took field notes and authorized/approved documents (CPDs).

·   Prepared construction specifications for cable placing and splicing, equipment selection, safety, conduit, and commercial building systems.

·   Maintained several databases, such as OSP-FM, Cimage, CPD, LFACS, CAPT, LEIS/LEAD, NDTT, POLES, and RTT.

·   Provided sufficient facilities for all new developments.

·   Designed high-speed telecommunication lines, including T-1, HDSL, and ISDNs, using pair gain systems, repeaters, mux, and general conditioning pairs for DS0, DS1, and DS3 capability.

·   Worked closely with customer data technicians and on the spot engineering teams to quickly redesign and install circuits; maintained and updated records and prints in 45+ wire centers daily.

 

 

 

Embarq/Sprint Communications (LTD), Wake Forrest, NC2004–2008

Cable Maintenance Technician

·   Reviewed, updated, and interpreted work orders, circuit diagrams, equipment and schematic drawings, engineering work prints, and technical manuals to obtain specifications for installation and trouble isolation purposes of POTS, DSL and circuits, such as T-1, HDSL, and ISDN.

·   Spliced new cable/wire while making splicing rearrangements on existing facilities in buried, underground aerial, and building locations, including cable, wire, terminals, loop carrier electronics, and fiber optic cable/facilities.

·   Safely operated hydraulic aerial lifts, ladders, and ventilating generators.

·   Isolated and cleared troubles in outside plant facilities by accurately interpreting engineering plans and communicating regularly with engineering group.

·   Placed, rearranged, or removed underground and buried cables, conduit, aerial cable and wire, fiber optics, inside wiring cables, intra-system and submarine cables, station wire, and carrier/fiber optic terminal equipment.

·   Ran cross-connects and check batteries to alarms/repairs equipment in SLC/HUT/C.O. locations.

·   Installed, identified defects of, repaired, and performed routine maintenance on complex data equipment using electrical and laptop measuring devices.

·   Removed and replaced wire connections on distributing frames, wire wraps, and solders wires according to work orders
and specifications.

·   Installed, repaired, and maintained stored program control switching systems, such as 5ESS, DMS10, DMS100,
and DMS200.

 

Level 3 Communications (Streffco- Contractor), Broomfield, CO2003–2004

OSP Project Manager

·   Simultaneously managed roughly 20 to 40 OSP projects while maintaining financial and operational metrics.

·   Defined project scopes and developed fiber designs via FMS/IMS. Imported loads into network inventory.

·   Managed project financials and updated monthly forecasts, accruals, and percent complete; provided project status updates to senior leadership

·   Assisted field services with permitting, ROW, and material procurement issues.

·   Enhanced internal communications and liaised between account teams and customers.

 

Young's Communications, Melbourne, FL2002–2003

Lead OSP Engineer

·   Directed all outside plant engineering activities associated with fiber optic design planning and layout.

·   Supervised three engineers and drafters in completing Sonet ring, fiber build, and municipal road
move projects.

·   Placed fiber facilities and equipment inside customer sites.

·   Worked with city/county/state/ federal municipalities to coordinate permit issuance, inspection, and closeout activities.

 

Florida Power & Light, Miami, FL2002

Principal Telecom Engineer

·   Oversaw planning initiatives and performed route analysis as one of three telecom engineers in state of Florida.

·   Assessed customer needs and adhered to budget constraints.

·   Prepared route designs, including major metropolitan fiber rings and lateral fiber builds, for large-scale businesses. Designed backbone fiber optic cable placement for major airports and federal buildings.

·   Interacted daily with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida water districts, and private railroads to issue and submit various permit types.

·   Provided field and on-call emergency support during live cutover for critical splicing activities; prepared field notes in varying weather conditions to expedite emergency projects.

·   Collected preliminary pricing information and implemented product/service enhancements and upgrades.

·   Assisted in determining pricing and implementation requirements.

·   Offered technical support to customers and interfaced with sales teams.

·   Supported major relocation initiatives, such as federal, state, and county road move (civil engineering) projects.

 

USWest, Castle Rock, CO1999–2000

Communications Network Technician

·   Installed and maintained small business and residential telephone lines.

·   Completed residence repairs in timely manner.

·   Worked with different departments to resolve customers’ service-related issues.

·   Interpreted cable prints and schematics.

 

Prior to 1999, served as Signal Support Systems Specialist in the U.S. Army. Provided field and operational support for wireless and LAN lines, ensuring seamless communication environment for up to 2,000 users at remote sites.