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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Locator

💰 $ - $

Field OperationsConstructionSurveyingGIS

🎯 Role Definition

A Utility Locator is a field-facing technical professional responsible for identifying, marking, and documenting subsurface utilities prior to excavation or construction. The Utility Locator uses a combination of electromagnetic locators, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), vacuum excavation, and interpretation of record drawings and GIS data to produce defensible locate reports that reduce risk, prevent damage, and ensure regulatory and client compliance. This role requires strong field judgment, attention to detail, and an understanding of utility network types (gas, water, sewer, telecom, fiber, electric) and one-call/811 processes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Technician or Construction Laborer with exposure to excavation work
  • Survey Technician or GIS Field Assistant
  • Cable/Telecom Technician or Utility Maintenance worker

Advancement To:

  • Senior Utility Locator / Lead Locator
  • Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Technician
  • Field Supervisor or Project Manager (Utility Coordination)
  • GIS Specialist or Utility Mapping Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Vacuum Excavation Operator / Potholing Specialist
  • GIS Technician / CAD As-built Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform underground utility locating using electromagnetic induction locators (EMI/EM) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to detect, trace, and positively identify the location and depth of utilities (water, sanitary, storm, gas, electric, telecom, fiber) prior to excavation or construction.
  • Respond to one-call/811 notifications and coordinate with local utility companies to verify and transfer existing records into field locates; ensure timely compliance with dig-safe regulations and client timelines.
  • Conduct pre-locate record review, interpreting engineering drawings, as-built plans, GIS layers, and record maps to develop a locating plan and identify potential conflicts or unknowns.
  • Mark utility locations clearly and durably in the field using industry-standard paint, flags, or stakes in accordance with APWA color code and client requirements; document mark-up with photos, notes, and GPS waypoints.
  • Use GPR to evaluate subsurface conditions where electromagnetic locating is insufficient — analyze reflections, depth slices, and anomalies to determine utility presence, depth, and orientation.
  • Perform non-destructive potholing and vacuum excavation to expose utilities for positive verification of depth and material, following safety protocols and traffic control plans.
  • Create and maintain accurate field notes, sketches, and digital locate records; produce as-built and locate deliverables in CAD, PDF, and GIS-compatible formats with correct coordinate reference systems.
  • Operate and maintain locating equipment, GPR systems, meters, and hand tools; ensure calibration, battery management, firmware updates, and routine inspection of vehicles and PPE.
  • Maintain chain-of-custody and quality assurance documentation for each locate assignment; prepare detailed client reports that include methodology, limitations, and recommendations.
  • Interpret and communicate detectability and limitations of locating technologies to clients and crews; document utility types that cannot be reliably located and recommend further investigation.
  • Support project planning by providing utility conflict analysis, depth profiling, and pre-construction coordination with engineers and project managers to reduce design clashes and rework.
  • Provide accurate GPS or RTK survey control when required; integrate locate points into GIS, CAD, or asset management systems with proper attribute data and metadata.
  • Follow strict safety procedures for work zones, traffic control, confined spaces, and excavation exposure; wear and enforce the use of PPE and follow OSHA requirements.
  • Coordinate with subcontractors, municipalities, and utility owners for complex locates and service validations; escalate undocumented utilities or potential hazards promptly.
  • Execute quality checks on locate data including redundancy sweeps and cross-validation between EM and GPR results to ensure defensible deliverables.
  • Train and mentor junior locators and new hires on field techniques, equipment use, documentation standards, and safety procedures.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry standards (APWA color code, ASCE 38-02/38-21 guidance where applicable) and emerging locating technologies and best practices.
  • Manage field scheduling, route planning, and workload prioritization to meet client SLAs and minimize downtime; adapt to emergency locate requests or third-party damage investigations.
  • Investigate and report utility damage incidents, including root-cause analysis, photographic documentation, and participation in follow-up corrective actions.
  • Maintain professional client communication: provide clear scope, limitations, timing, and post-locate consultation to engineering teams, contractors, and owners.
  • Prepare and submit time sheets, equipment logs, and expense reports; ensure company vehicles and equipment reflect a professional appearance and are secure on job sites.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives: suggest process improvements, update standard operating procedures, and implement lessons learned from field incidents.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in digitizing legacy utility records and converting scanned plans into georeferenced GIS layers for client asset management.
  • Support estimating and proposal development by providing field-based time and resource estimates for locate tasks and vacuum excavation jobs.
  • Participate in client meetings and pre-construction coordination sessions to advise on utility-related risks and mitigation strategies.
  • Contribute to the company safety program by leading toolbox talks, safety audits, and near-miss reporting; help update job hazard analyses.
  • Provide ad-hoc training to client personnel on basic utility awareness and marking conventions when requested.
  • Help maintain inventory of locating supplies (flags, paint, stakes, PPE) and recommend procurement actions to ensure uninterrupted field operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient operation of electromagnetic locators (EMI/EM) for active and passive utility tracing.
  • Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) operation and interpretation, including basic hyperbola analysis and depth slice interpretation.
  • Vacuum excavation (non-destructive potholing) competency and best practices for exposing subsurface utilities safely.
  • Strong ability to read and interpret as-built drawings, record maps, utility plans, and construction drawings.
  • Experience with one-call/811 ticket systems, mark-up procedures, and dig-safe compliance workflows.
  • GIS and CAD skills for importing locate points, creating GIS attribute tables, and producing spatial deliverables (ArcGIS, QGIS, AutoCAD, MicroStation).
  • GPS/RTK field data collection and integration into mapping systems; knowledge of coordinate systems and datum transformations.
  • Field documentation and reporting skills: producing clear locate reports, digital photographs, and metadata for legal defensibility.
  • Knowledge of safety standards and regulations: OSHA excavation, confined space entry, traffic control (flagging), and PPE protocols.
  • Proficiency with mobile data collection apps or field data entry systems (Survey123, Collector, GoCanvas, Trimble FieldMate).
  • Basic vehicle operation and maintenance for company trucks and equipment; safe driving record for field travel.
  • Familiarity with subsurface utility engineering (SUE) concepts and ASCE guidance for utility quality levels (QL-D through QL-A).

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail with methodical, defensible field documentation and an investigative approach to ambiguous site conditions.
  • Clear, professional client-facing communication skills; able to explain technical limitations and recommendations in plain language.
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking under pressure, particularly when locating conflicting or undocumented utilities.
  • Time management and planning skills to efficiently route field jobs and meet service-level agreements.
  • Team player who can train junior staff, accept feedback, and collaborate with engineers, contractors, and municipal stakeholders.
  • Adaptability and resilience to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and changing site constraints.
  • High level of personal accountability, reliability, and ethical conduct when handling sensitive client infrastructure data.
  • Safety-first mindset and ability to influence safe behaviors among peers and subcontractors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical certificate in Construction Management, Surveying, Civil Engineering Technology, Geomatics, GIS, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Civil Engineering Technology
  • Geomatics / Surveying
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Construction Technology
  • Utility Technology / Infrastructure Mapping

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on field locating experience, including use of EM locators and GPR.

Preferred: 3–7 years of progressive utility locating or subsurface utility engineering support experience, including vacuum excavation exposure and documented deliverables for private and public-sector clients.

Certifications and Training (preferred or required where applicable):

  • OSHA 10-hour Construction Card (or OSHA 30 preferred)
  • First Aid / CPR / AED
  • Traffic Control / Flagger certification
  • GPR and EM manufacturer training certificates
  • Confined Space Awareness and Trenching & Excavation training
  • Experience with ASCE utility quality levels and one-call/811 practices

Physical & Operational Requirements:

  • Ability to work outdoors in all weather, perform physical tasks (climbing, bending, lifting up to 50 lbs), and stand/walk across uneven terrain for extended periods.
  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record for operation of company vehicles; occasional overnight travel to client sites may be required.

Application Notes:

  • Candidates should be prepared to provide a portfolio of past locate reports, GPS/GIS deliverables, or photographs demonstrating locating methodology and accuracy.
  • Emphasis on safety record, attention to detail, and client communication skills will be prioritized during screening.
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