Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Crew Leader

🎯 Role Definition

The Utility Crew Leader supervises and coordinates field crews that install, maintain and repair utility infrastructure (water, sewer, gas, electric or municipal systems). As the on-site leader, you ensure safe work execution, compliance with OSHA and local regulations, accurate documentation in CMMS/GIS, timely completion of work orders, effective communication with dispatch and customers, and continuous skills development of crew members. This role requires hands-on technical competence with excavation, trenching, confined space entry, heavy equipment operation and quality control, plus proven leadership and emergency-response capability.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Utility Technician / Field Technician
Equipment Operator / Laborer
Lineworker / Maintenance Worker

Advancement To:

Field Supervisor / Lead Foreperson
Utility Operations Superintendent
Project Manager / Construction Manager

Lateral Moves:

Safety Coordinator / Safety Officer
GIS / Asset Management Technician
Scheduler / Dispatch Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead and directly supervise a multi-person utility crew during daily operations, ensuring tasks are assigned clearly, executed to spec, and completed within schedule and budget while maintaining high safety standards.
Conduct pre-job planning and daily safety briefings (toolbox talks), review permits and work orders, identify hazards, and implement controls for excavations, traffic control, confined space entry, and equipment operation.
Oversee installation, repair, replacement and testing of underground and above-ground utility assets—pipe mains, service lines, valves, hydrants, manholes, vaults, meters, and associated appurtenances—ensuring compliance with construction drawings and as-built documentation.
Execute and supervise trenching and excavation operations, enforce shoring/sheeting/backfill specifications, monitor soil conditions, and ensure crew adherence to OSHA trenching and excavation standards.
Serve as confined space entry supervisor when required: review permits, perform atmospheric testing, ensure proper ventilation and rescue procedures, and verify entrant and attendant responsibilities.
Operate, inspect and maintain heavy equipment and fleet vehicles (backhoe, excavator, trencher, vacuum truck, dump truck); assign certified operators and ensure pre- and post-shift equipment checks and maintenance logs are completed.
Coordinate emergency response for service outages, leaks, ruptures, and sinkholes; lead on-site troubleshooting, prioritize customer safety, isolate systems as needed and coordinate with emergency services and dispatch for rapid resolution.
Manage crew scheduling, dispatch communications, overtime allocation and labor logistics to meet operational needs while controlling costs and minimizing downtime.
Enforce PPE, LOTO (lockout/tagout), traffic control flagging and MUTCD-compliant work zone setup; obtain and manage required permits (right-of-way, road closures, confined space, excavation) and maintain permit documentation.
Read and interpret construction plans, utility maps, GIS data and engineering specifications; liaise with engineers and inspectors to resolve field design clarifications and ensure compliance with technical standards.
Perform quality control inspections and field testing—pressure tests, leak detection, flow verifications, CCTV inspections of sewers—and document results, deficiencies and corrective actions.
Ensure accurate and timely completion of work orders, time sheets, equipment logs and job-site reports using CMMS, mobile field apps or GIS; maintain running records for assets, materials used and labor hours for billing and audit.
Train, mentor and evaluate crew members on safe work practices, equipment operation, utility construction methods and company policies; identify training needs and coordinate certifications (OSHA, confined space, CDL, flagger).
Manage materials, consumables and parts inventory on-site: requisition supplies, verify deliveries, control usage, and return excess materials to central stores to reduce waste and cost.
Supervise third-party contractors and subcontractors on site—clarify scope, monitor performance, enforce safety and quality standards, and report deviations to project management.
Implement and promote continuous improvement: recommend process improvements, efficiencies in routing and staging, and best-practice techniques to reduce rework and improve first-time fix rates.
Communicate proactively with customers, property owners and stakeholders regarding planned outages, restorations, schedules and potential disruptions; handle customer concerns in a professional manner and escalate unresolved issues.
Monitor environmental controls and erosion prevention measures at digs and restorations; ensure compliance with stormwater, spill prevention and local environmental permit conditions.
Enforce company policies and regulatory standards; report incidents, near-misses and non-compliance immediately and participate in incident investigations to implement corrective actions.
Coordinate with utility locating services (811), ensure positive identification of underground utilities prior to excavation, and verify clearance distances for safe exposure and work.
Oversee pavement, sidewalk and landscaping restoration to municipal and company standards, including compaction testing and site cleanup; ensure contractors or crews meet restoration acceptance criteria.
Track project costs and materials usage against budgets and work plans; flag variances and suggest mitigation steps to project management to control cost overruns.
Support seasonal and preventative maintenance programs—valve exercising, hydrant flushing, sewer cleaning—and ensure scheduled tasks are completed and documented in asset management systems.
Assist in on-call rotations and after-hours emergency response; maintain readiness and ability to mobilize crew and equipment rapidly for critical incidents.

Secondary Functions

Maintain and update asset records in GIS/CMMS, tagging assets and attaching photos, as-built notes and test results to support accurate asset management.
Participate in safety committee meetings, contribute field insights to policy development, and help roll out new safety initiatives and training modules.
Support procurement by validating part numbers and quantities during material orders; inspect deliveries and escalate shortages or defects.
Help prepare simple estimates and labor projections for small repair jobs and emergency restorations.
Assist in community outreach or public works coordination for planned projects impacting neighborhoods or traffic patterns.
Provide input to shift handovers and job debriefs to foster knowledge transfer and improve continuity between crews and shifts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven crew leadership and field supervision experience in utilities (water, sewer, gas or electric) with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous work sites.
Proficient with excavation, trenching, backfilling, compaction practices and shoring/sheeting requirements.
Confined space entry and attendant/entry supervision knowledge and certification (permit-required confined space procedures).
Experience operating and coordinating heavy equipment operations (backhoe, excavator, trencher, vacuum truck, loaders).
Comprehensive working knowledge of OSHA construction standards (29 CFR 1926), trenching and excavation rules, and local utility compliance requirements.
Skilled in use of CMMS / Mobile Work Order systems, basic GIS asset updates, and familiarity with handheld devices used for field documentation.
Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, utility plans, as-builts, and specification documents.
Competency in traffic control setup and MUTCD-compliant flagging operations (flagger certification preferred).
Experience with utility locating (811 processes) and understanding of positive locating practices.
Basic mechanical and hydraulic troubleshooting skills for pumps, valves and small engines.
Competence with field testing procedures (pressure testing, leak detection, CCTV for sewers) and recording test data accurately.
Valid CDL (Class B preferred) and proven safe driving record (if fleet vehicle operation is required).

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and team-development capabilities; ability to coach and motivate diverse crews under pressure.
Excellent verbal communication for clear instruction, stakeholder updates and customer interactions.
Sound decision-making and problem-solving in emergency and routine operational contexts.
Time management and prioritization: juggling urgent repairs, scheduled maintenance and regulatory inspections.
Attention to detail and quality orientation to ensure work meets engineering and municipal standards.
Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills for managing crew dynamics and customer concerns.
Adaptability and resilience: ability to respond calmly to changing field conditions and emergency incidents.
Organizational skills for accurate recordkeeping, materials management and logistical coordination.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree, vocational certificate or technical training in construction technology, civil/utility maintenance, or a related trade.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction Management / Civil Construction Technology
Water/Wastewater Technology
Electrical or Mechanical Trades
Heavy Equipment Operation / Diesel Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3–7 years of progressive field experience in utility construction or maintenance, including at least 1–2 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Preferred:

5+ years of utility field experience with demonstrated leadership, plus certifications such as CDL (Class B), OSHA 30, Confined Space Rescue/Entry, First Aid/CPR, and traffic control (flagger) certification.