Drop Installation Manager

About Us: Stimulus Technologies is a leader in technology services, dedicated to bridging the digital divide in underserved communities. With operations across California, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oregon, we deliver high-speed, reliable connectivity that transforms lives and businesses. We also offer IT, VoIP, and CyberSecurity services to a range of clients. Position Overview As the Drop Installation Manager , you hold direct responsibility for Stimulus Technologies' in-house drop installation crews connecting subscribers to the network. You own crew performance and job site safety, and you serve as the accountable field leader between your crews, Project Management, and the Vice President, Engineering and Construction. Drop installation is the final step that turns Stimulus's SLFRF, FFA grant, and BEAD-funded fiber builds into active, connected service for subscribers across rural Nevada, Missouri, California, and Oregon. With hard regulatory timelines and high visibility on these programs, the Drop Installation Manager is the person who ensures every installation is completed safely, on schedule, and to Stimulus's quality standards. For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to build and lead your own crew, set the standard for how drop installation gets done, and play a direct role in connecting underserved communities to reliable broadband. Essential Functions Drop Installation Operations Plan, schedule, and direct daily drop installation activities for in-house construction crews across assigned project areas. Ensure all subscriber drop installations are completed in accordance with Stimulus Technologies installation standards, project specifications, and manufacturer guidelines. Track installation progress against grant-mandated and program-specific timelines; proactively identify at-risk areas and adjust crew assignments and schedules to maintain compliance. Coordinate drop installation scheduling with the Vice President, Engineering and Construction, Project Management, the engineering firm, and the client to align with network readiness and service activation milestones. Conduct quality inspections of completed drop installations to verify workmanship, proper routing, adequate slack storage, and correct labeling and documentation. Manage material inventory, logistics, and staging for drop installation activities; coordinate with procurement to prevent material shortages that could impact schedules. Ensure accurate daily production records are maintained for all drop activities, including unit counts, addresses, completion status, and any exceptions or rework items. Identify and resolve field-level issues during drop installation, including access problems, routing conflicts, customer scheduling issues, and permit constraints. Coordinate with the Permitting Manager and engineering firm on any permit or easement issues that affect drop installation access or routing. Team Leadership and Training Directly supervise and lead in-house drop installation crews in the field on a daily basis. Train crew members on Stimulus Technologies installation standards, safety requirements, proper tool and equipment use, and customer interaction expectations. Conduct regular ride-alongs and field quality checks with individual crew members to reinforce standards and identify coaching opportunities. Manage crew scheduling, time tracking, and daily work assignments. Provide performance feedback to crew members and escalate personnel issues or staffing needs to the Vice President, Engineering and Construction. Foster a team culture of accountability, craftsmanship, and professionalism aligned with Stimulus Technologies core values. Safety and Compliance Enforce compliance with all federal, state, and local safety regulations during drop installation activities. Conduct daily safety briefings and ensure all crew members utilize required PPE and follow safe work practices. Ensure crews comply with 811 locate requirements, property access protocols, and all applicable permitting conditions. Report all safety incidents, near-misses, and property damage to the Vice President, Engineering and Construction immediately; participate in incident investigations and corrective action implementation. Ensure all crew members and vehicles maintain required certifications, licenses, and inspections. Customer Interaction Ensure all crew members interact with customers and property owners in a professional, courteous, and respectful manner. Serve as the on-site escalation point for customer concerns or complaints during drop installation; resolve issues promptly or escalate to the Vice President, Engineering and Construction as needed. Coordinate with customers and property owners on installation scheduling, access requirements, and any property restoration needs. Ensure all customer-facing work areas are left clean and restored to pre-installation condition. Communication and Reporting Provide daily production updates to the Vice President, Engineering and Construction, including completed installs, crews deployed, issues encountered, and next-day plans. Maintain accurate and up-to-date installation tracking records in the project management and scheduling systems. Participate in weekly construction meetings and provide input on drop installation progress, risks, and resource needs. Document and report rework items, failed inspections, and quality trends to the Vice President, Engineering and Construction with recommended corrective actions. Education and Experience Required High school diploma or GED. Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience with fiber optic drop installation or OSP construction. Minimum 1 year of experience leading or supervising field construction or installation crews. Strong working knowledge of fiber optic drop installation methods, materials, and best practices for both aerial and buried applications. Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, splice schematics, and drop assignment maps. Valid driver's license with a clean driving record. Ability to travel up to 100% for project assignments. Proficiency with a tablet or mobile device for daily reporting and production tracking. Ability to work outside in all weather conditions and perform physical labor including lifting up to 50 pounds, climbing ladders, and working at heights. Ability to work 40 to 60+ hours per week as project demands require. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with customers and property owners. Preferred Experience with FTTH/FTTP drop installation at scale across multiple project areas. Familiarity with grant-funded broadband deployment programs and associated compliance and documentation requirements. OSHA 10-Hour Construction certification. Experience with fiber optic splicing and testing. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) or equivalent productivity tools. Alignment with Core Values At Stimulus Technologies, our core values define how we work. The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Driven to Grow – Continuously seeks to develop professionally, stays current with industry practices, and pushes to improve processes and outcomes. See a Need – Fill a Need – Proactively identifies gaps, obstacles, or opportunities and takes action without waiting to be asked. Elevate Others – Mentors teammates, shares knowledge freely, and actively contributes to a positive and collaborative work environment. Extreme Ownership – Takes full accountability for results, decisions, and mistakes; does not deflect blame or make excuses. Celebrate Success – Recognizes contributions of team members, acknowledges milestones, and fosters a culture where wins are shared. Stimulus Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.