Job Description

Main Purpose
The Planner is responsible for all planning duties as defined below.
ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS & TASKS)
Design and plan routes

• Verify that transmission plans created by the Solutions Architects are correct. Ensure that required routes as per Transmission Plans are planned and released for build. Advise the Solutions Architects on better route options
• Plan and approve routes which fulfil both Clients and DFA in the most economical way.

Route Surveys

• Complete route surveys to verify and improve on desk top plans
• Determine the best placement of HH and breakouts when doing the surveys.
• Determine the best side of the road where the route / spur must be built
• Compile an obstacle register

Access Approvals

• Ensure that design comments are clear
• Assist with the approval of Access Planning to make sure that the proposed plan links up with DFA's network.
• Ensure that the access plan corresponds with the Transmission plan.
• Ensure that all access information (spur and entry) is captured on the appropriate systems (CRM, QB, OSP and ESRI)
• Ensure that access planning approvals are done timeously (as per/KPI)
• Approve Access Planning ensuring that the point of inter-linking between the Clients site and DFA network is as per the transmission plan
• Assist and do the capturing of route data on all the planning tool platforms (OSP, QB CRM, and ESRI). Check as built documentation and verify that it corresponds to what was built. DO SPOT CHECKS. Ensure that OSP and ESRI are a true reflection of what is in the ground

Access Surveys

• Do access surveys of desktop planned routes ensuring that all possible clients can be serviced in the most economical manner. Also decide on where to place break outs and hand holes
• Access plans approver - Assist with the approval of Access Planning (client sites) to make sure that the proposed plan links up with DFA's network. Also ensure that the access plan corresponds with the Transmission planning. CRM to be updated accordingly
• Regional Planning Database - Assist and do the capturing of route data on all the planning tool platforms (OSP, CRM, and ESRI). Check as built documentation and verifying that it corresponds to what was built. DO SPOT CHECKS. Ensure that OSP and ESRI are a true copy of what is in the ground
• Project coordinator - Co-ordinate access planning and route planning to be able to link customer

Contractor Liaison / Trainer

• Ensure that the contractors doing both the route and access planning are updated on DFA's standards.
• Manage contractor according to agreed KPI / SLA

Optical Planning

• Plan and issue floating instructions for cables on new and existing routes
• Design and Issue splicing instructions as per approved Transmission plans
• Make proposals to change transmission plans to optimise fibre routes
• Update the relevant system with floating instructions done on the optical planning tool
• Update relevant system with the splicing instructions done on the optical planning tool
• Ensure that both the floating and splicing instructions are issued according to DFA's specifications. Fibre Slack management to be applied strictly
• Occasional spot checks to be done on the fibre network to verify and provide feedback on the condition of the fibre network
• Issue decommissioning splicing instructions
• Utilization reports to be done per route per cable monthly.

Miscellaneous & General

• On a day-to-day basis, ensure that all daily tasks are completed
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned from time-to-time by management.

Competencies and Minimum Requirements:
Knowledge, qualifications and experience
NSC - National Senior Certificate

• Relevant tertiary qualification
• 2 years' experience in Telecommunications Network planning
• Optical Network understanding
• GIS experience is an advantage
• Computer literate (MS Office)
• Must have good interpersonal skills
• Time management skills
• Must be able to work under pressure
• Attention to detail