Ziply Fiber is known for bringing ultra-fast fiber internet to communities across the Northwest—but before the first video call is crystal clear or a single movie streams without a hitch, Ziply Fiber's Construction team is hard at work. They build the foundation—installing equipment, running fiber and readying each neighborhood—so customers can enjoy the power of fiber internet from day one.
From working with vendors and municipalities to coordinating with internal departments and navigating ever-changing field conditions, the work is fast-paced, complex and critical.
We sat down with Laina Moris, VP, Fiber Design & Constuction, to get an inside look at the team and the work they do.
"Construction is really where the rubber meets the road," said Moris. "We're the team out there building Ziply Fiber's internet infrastructure—digging, placing, splicing—making sure we connect communities to our network." The construction team works in close collaboration with many departments across Ziply Fiber, including engineering, permitting, operations and marketing.
"It's an ongoing relationship with other teams, not just a handoff," Laina explained. "We're constantly communicating with planning, engineering and the permitting teams. And we also work closely with marketing so they can time their campaigns with when service is ready."
But the job isn't without its challenges—especially when it comes to navigating regulations and requirements across hundreds of municipalities.
"Every city has its own process, and each comes with its own set of unique requirements," said Moris. "You can't simply submit one permit and apply it everywhere. One city might require additional documentation for underground work, while another focuses more on traffic control plans. These differences may seem small on their own, but across hundreds of permits, they really add up."
Add in utility pole access and vendor quality control, and you've got a day-to-day workflow that requires flexibility, coordination and a deep understanding of the field.
To streamline the process and build more efficiently, Moris and her team have made some intentional changes—starting with when and how construction is involved. Now, construction is brought in earlier, before permitting and pole attachments are submitted, helping ensure that designs are based upon on-the-ground realities from the start.
"It's made a big difference," she said. "By aligning field insight with engineering early on, we're able to avoid surprises and keep things moving forward without unnecessary delays."
The team is also highly selective about who they work with. Instead of bringing on any vendor with availability, Ziply Fiber vets contractors through a rigorous process managed by the contract administration team.
"We hold meet-and-greets, check references and make sure they're experienced. If they don't meet our standard of our brand and customers, it's not going to be a fit. It's helped raise the bar across the board."
Of course, at the end of the day, this work isn't just about permits, poles, and fiber—it's about people. And that's something Moris is deeply passionate about.
"Being out in the field and seeing people light up when they find out we're bringing fiber to their neighborhood—it's everything," she said. "I've had homeowners come up to me and say, 'Thank you so much, I just got service—it's amazing.' That makes all the hard days worth it."
For anyone considering a career in fiber construction, Moris has one piece of advice: be ready to move.
"It's fast-paced and there's never a dull moment," she said. "From working with vendors to coordinating with cities and solving problems in the field—it's action-packed. If you like working hard and seeing the impact of what you do, there's nothing like it."
And for those who are already in the field?
"Keep asking questions, keep learning and stay close to the work. Because when you're out there, helping a community come online for the first time—it's pretty special."
If you're interested in joining the Construction team, or another team at Ziply Fiber, click here to view our current employment opportunities.
