Fiber Network Locator

IQ Fiber; Orangeburg (SC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

IQ Fiber is seeking a Fiber Network Locator to perform skilled, technical field work locating existing underground fiber optic cables. You will use electronic locating equipment and manual tools to identify, mark, and verify utility locations, ensuring safe construction and maintenance.

You will work with design and construction teams, maintain accurate as-built records, and communicate clearly with internal departments, regulators, and the public.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus 2 years of experience operating utility locating equipment or equivalent experience.
• Ability to read and interpret as-builts, blueprints, diagrams, sketches, construction plans, and maps of underground utility systems.
• Must have a valid driver's license with a clean MVR and ability to pass background checks.
• Proficient with PCs and laptops; able to prepare reports and maintain records.
• Strong situational awareness and judgment; able to handle emergencies and multi-task.

Responsibilities

• Utilize locating equipment to locate and mark underground fiber cables and utilities; expose infrastructure as needed.
• Provide accurate, safe locates following procedures, regulations, and standards.
• Update as-built records and generate time/material reports, diagrams and maps.
• Communicate with customers, internal teams, and agencies verbally and in writing.
• Assist Construction Technicians with field duties and certifications as requested.
• Respond reliably to overtime and emergency callouts when required.
• Maintain safety compliance around energized equipment, water, and sewer utilities.

Skills

Utility locating equipment

Blueprints & diagrams

Driver's license & MVR

Communication

Safety awareness

Report writing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

IQ Fiber was built to do internet differently. We're a 100% fiber-optic internet provider with a simple mission: To engineer a smarter internet experience. That means internet that's fast, reliable, and simply priced, backed by real humans who answer when you call and solve problems before you know they exist.

We bring that same thinking to how we build our company. Our teammates are a big part of what makes IQ Fiber different, and we believe how we work matters just as much as what we deliver. We're looking for good humans who bring great ideas, raise the bar with every task, and want to be part of a bigger story. Your work matters here.

Position Summary

IQ Fiber is seeking a Fiber Network Locator to perform skilled, technical field work requiring the accurate and efficient locating of existing underground fiber optic cables. This role uses a variety of electronic and manual equipment to identify, mark, and verify the location of underground utilities, ensuring that construction and maintenance activities can proceed safely and without damage to existing infrastructure.

The Fiber Network Locator works closely with the design and construction teams, maintains accurate as-built records, and communicates clearly with internal departments, regulatory agencies, and the public. This is a safety-sensitive role that requires strong situational awareness, sound judgment, and the ability to respond reliably to both planned and emergency field needs.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Utilize electronic locating equipment to accurately find and mark the location of underground fiber optic cables and utilities; use probe rods, shovels, posthole diggers, and other excavation tools to expose and verify infrastructure as needed.
• Provide accurate, safe, and efficient locates in accordance with established procedures, regulatory requirements, and traffic maintenance standards.
• Work closely with the design team to review and update as-built records; prepare accurate time and material records, as-built reports, and diagrams to provide reliable updates to key maps.
• Communicate directly with customers, internal departments, regulatory agencies, governmental agencies, and the general public verbally and in writing as needed.
• Assist Construction Technicians with cabinet certifications and other related field duties as requested.
• Participate in announced or unannounced overtime and respond reliably to emergency callouts during non-working hours as required.
• Maintain full compliance with all applicable safety rules, regulations, and occupational hazard protocols, including procedures for working near energized electrical equipment, water, and sewer utilities.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and 2 years of experience operating utility locating equipment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of underground and overhead utility systems, including occupational hazards and proper safety precautions when working near energized electrical, water, and sewer infrastructure.
• Ability to accurately read and interpret as-builts, blueprints, diagrams, sketches, construction plans, and key maps of underground utility systems.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license with a clear driving record for the past two years, current auto insurance, and a satisfactory MVR; must be able to pass a background check and driving record screening.
• Proficiency with personal computers and laptops; ability to accurately prepare reports and maintain records.
• Strong situational awareness and judgment with the ability to efficiently handle emergencies, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and follow both brief oral and written instructions accurately.
• Ability to communicate clearly in written and verbal formats and establish professional working relationships with employees, officials, contractors, and the general public.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally while using probe rods, shovels, and posthole diggers to locate and expose underground infrastructure.
• Ability to balance, crouch, and stoop repeatedly while locating and marking underground utilities in the field.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods while conducting locates across active job sites.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions with exposure to dirt, noise, and odors.
• Ability to push and pull excavation tools to expose and verify underground fiber infrastructure.

What Success Looks Like

• Underground fiber infrastructure is located and marked accurately using the appropriate tools and methods, preventing damages and enabling construction and maintenance work to proceed safely and on schedule.
• Safety and regulatory compliance are consistently upheld in the field, with established procedures followed, hazards identified proactively, and work executed with strong situational awareness around utilities and public environments.
• Documentation and records are complete, accurate, and submitted on time — including as-builts, reports, and diagrams — supporting reliable network mapping, data integrity, and traceable field activity.
• Internal teams and external stakeholders including construction, design, and regulatory partners remain aligned, supported by responsive communication and collaboration that helps remove blockers and meet project needs.
• Locate requests and urgent field needs are handled efficiently, including reliable support for emergency callouts, helping maintain service reliability and minimizing operational disruption.

IQ Fiber is an Aff… All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any U.S. employer on a full-time basis. We do not sponsor, transfer, or support employment visa status or work authorization extensions for any position.