Cell Tower Top Hand
Company: Project Group
Reports To: Foreman / Tower Leadership
Location: Kansas City, MO
Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Schedule: 40+ hours per week; overtime, evenings, weekends, or extended hours may be required based on project and seasonal needs
Travel: 50%+, including overnight travel
Direct Reports: None
About Project Group
Project Group is a team of experienced professionals providing construction, installation, maintenance, and infrastructure services within the wireless telecommunications industry. We take pride in doing the job safely, doing it right, and supporting the people in the field who make it happen.
At Project Group, Every Connection Matters. That means the connections we build for our customers, the relationships we build with our partners, and the trust we build within our own team.
Our culture is built around teamwork, accountability, mentorship, and getting results. We invest in our employees through hands-on experience, ongoing training, and opportunities for advancement. Our core values — Be Entrusted, Have the Knack, and Get Sh!t Done — guide how we work, how we lead, and how we serve our customers.
Position Summary
The Cell Tower Top Hand is an experienced member of the tower construction crew responsible for performing advanced telecommunications construction, installation, maintenance, modification, and repair work while helping guide and develop other technicians on the crew.
Working under the direction of the Foreman and Tower Leadership, the Top Hand is expected to perform complex tower work with limited supervision, demonstrate strong technical and safety knowledge, assist with coordinating work in the field, and serve as a resource to less-experienced technicians.
This position plays an important role in ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, accurately, and according to customer specifications, construction drawings, company standards, and project schedules.
Responsibilities
- Perform advanced installation, maintenance, modification, repair, and upgrade work on wireless telecommunications sites.
- Climb and work on monopoles, self-support towers, guyed towers, rooftops, and other telecommunications structures.
- Assemble, install, mount, and secure antennas, radios, mounts, cabling, fiber, coax, support equipment, and related telecommunications components.
- Assist with tower erection, structural modifications, antenna and line upgrades, equipment swaps, and other construction activities.
- Safely hoist, rig, position, and install equipment and materials using approved rigging and lifting practices.
- Perform work from elevated structures, including positioning and controlled descent techniques when required and authorized.
- Install grounding systems and properly weatherproof cables, connectors, lines, and equipment according to industry and customer standards.
- Perform fiber installation, routing, testing, and troubleshooting as required.
- Assist with microwave installation and alignment when applicable.
- Troubleshoot equipment, cabling, installation, or site issues using appropriate tools, procedures, and testing equipment.
- Read and interpret construction drawings, CDs, RFDs, scopes of work, site plans, and customer specifications.
- Inspect completed work to verify hardware is secure, equipment is properly installed, antennas are level, cable supports are correctly placed, and weatherproofing meets required standards.
- Identify field conditions, inaccuracies, potential hazards, or installation issues and communicate them to the Foreman or Tower Leadership.
- Assist the Foreman with daily field activities and help keep the crew productive, organized, and focused on project requirements.
- Mentor and support Tower Technicians by demonstrating proper installation techniques, safety practices, tool use, and job-site expectations.
- Lead by example and help reinforce Project Group safety, quality, and performance standards.
- Maintain accurate and complete project documentation, including checklists, forms, photographs, closeout documentation, and other customer or company-required records.
- Load, unload, move, hoist, organize, and properly store materials, tools, and equipment.
- Maintain company vehicles, tools, climbing equipment, rigging equipment, and job sites in a safe and professional condition.
- Participate in all required safety meetings, Job Hazard Assessments, pre-job planning, and site-specific training.
- Identify hazards and immediately communicate safety concerns to the Foreman or appropriate safety personnel.
- Exercise stop-work authority when an unsafe condition exists and work should not continue until the hazard has been addressed.
- Report accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses in accordance with company procedures.
- Follow lockout/tagout procedures and all other applicable Project Group, customer, OSHA, and site-specific safety requirements.
- Perform work with limited supervision while knowing when to escalate questions, safety concerns, or field issues to leadership.
- Perform other duties as assigned based on project and operational needs.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Tower Technician or in a comparable wireless telecommunications construction role.
- Experience working on multiple telecommunications structures, including monopoles, self-support towers, guyed towers, and rooftops.
- Experience with antenna and line installation and upgrades.
- Experience with telecommunications equipment installation, cabling, grounding, and weatherproofing.
- Working knowledge of tower rigging, hoisting, and material-handling practices.
- Ability to safely climb and work at heights of 200 feet or greater.
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, CDs, RFDs, scopes of work, and site documentation.
- Strong understanding of tower safety practices, fall protection, climbing equipment, and job-site hazard identification.
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision while supporting the direction of the Foreman.
- Ability to coach and mentor less-experienced technicians in proper work and safety practices.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to assess field conditions and determine appropriate next steps.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing site and project conditions.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to effectively communicate with crew members, leadership, customers, and other project stakeholders.
- Reliable attendance and a demonstrated ability to take ownership of assigned responsibilities.
- Ability to use basic technology required for field documentation, communication, and project reporting.
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including overnight and on short notice.
- Willingness to work overtime, weekends, nights, or holidays as project schedules require.
- Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with tower steel modifications.
- Experience with microwave installation and alignment.
- Experience working with fiber-optic cable and related telecommunications equipment.
- Advanced rigging and hoisting experience.
- Experience performing equipment troubleshooting and testing.
- Previous experience serving in a Top Hand, Lead Technician, or similar senior field role.
- Relevant tower climbing, rescue, OSHA, CPR/First Aid, rigging, or other industry certifications.
What We Value
At Project Group, how we do the work matters just as much as the work itself.
Be Entrusted — Be dependable, take ownership, follow through, and earn the trust of your crew, leadership, and customers.
Have the Knack — Bring technical knowledge, sound judgment, resourcefulness, and the ability to solve problems in the field.
Get Sh!t Done — Work with urgency, support your crew, overcome challenges, and deliver results without sacrificing safety or quality.
And through everything we do, we remember that Every Connection Matters.
Benefits
Project Group offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including:
- Competitive weekly pay
- Per diem for eligible travel
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Short-term disability and life insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
- Ongoing training and development
- Long-term career opportunities and internal advancement
Safety, Background Check & Drug Screening
The safety of our employees, crews, customers, and job sites is a top priority at Project Group. No project or deadline is more important than performing the work safely.
Employees are expected to actively participate in Project Group's safety programs, identify and communicate hazards, follow established safety procedures, and use stop-work authority when necessary.
Project Group maintains a drug- and alcohol-free workplace. Employment may be contingent upon successfully completing applicable pre-employment background screening and drug testing. Employees may also be subject to testing in accordance with company policy, including random, post-incident, and reasonable-suspicion testing where applicable.
Professional Expectations
All employees are expected to represent Project Group professionally when interacting with customers, vendors, visitors, coworkers, and leadership.
Top Hands are specifically expected to lead by example by communicating effectively, maintaining professional conduct, supporting their crew, protecting confidential company and customer information, continuing to develop their technical skills, and stepping in to help solve problems when needed.
Because this is a senior field position, the Top Hand should consistently demonstrate the judgment, accountability, technical ability, and leadership potential expected of someone progressing toward a Foreman role.
Physical Demands
This position requires regular standing, walking, climbing, bending, lifting, carrying, reaching, and working from elevated structures for extended periods.
Employees must be able to:
- Safely climb and work on telecommunications structures at heights of 200 feet or greater while using required fall-protection equipment.
- Regularly lift, carry, move, and position materials and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds.
- Perform physically demanding work for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Use hand tools, power tools, climbing equipment, and rigging equipment safely.
- Work outdoors in a variety of weather and environmental conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, and snow.
- Drive or ride in company vehicles for extended periods.
- Travel frequently and stay overnight when required by project schedules.
- Perform work safely while wearing required personal protective equipment.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Project Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $26.00 - $29.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Cell Tower Top Hand: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- OSHA 10 (Preferred)
- CPR Certification/ First aid certification (Preferred)
- Driver's License (Preferred)
- NWSA (Preferred)
Work Location: On the road
