Field Technician - IL

ICO, Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

ICO, Inc. seeks a Field Technician for Illinois to support substation, overhead, and underground electrical distribution projects.

You’ll oversee safety, quality, schedule, and client satisfaction, coordinating with engineers and project managers on field execution and outages. The role requires travel regionally, strong communication, and ability to read construction drawings; a high school diploma and 3+ years in utility construction are preferred.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma.
• Completion of Electric Apprentice Program preferred.
• 3+ years Electric Utility or telecommunications field experience.
• Knowledge of National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and utility standards.
• Travel regionally to utility client territories during business day; overnight travel expected.

Responsibilities

• Perform field services for construction of substations, including upgrades and additions to substations, overhead, and underground power facilities.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, drawings, and project specifications.
• Provide detailed reporting of site conditions and contractor progress.
• Coordinate material packages and outages as required.
• Read and interpret project schedules; support construction schedule recovery plans.
• Maintain effective communication with project managers, engineers, and stakeholders.

Skills

MS Office

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Project management

Education

High school diploma

Electric Apprentice Program

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Field Technician, Illinois

Location: Illinois Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Field Construction Supervisor/Coordinator/Inspector to support construction of electric substation, overhead, and underground electrical distribution systems for utility clients to ensure that field construction work is executed safely, accurately, and to specification. The Construction Supervisor is primarily responsible for project performance including safety, quality, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction during the construction of the substation. The ideal candidate will have experience in substation, overhead, and underground utility construction, job site oversight, material coordination, outage coordination, contract compliance, working closely with Engineers & Project Managers, and resolving field issues. Candidates with experience working for electric utilities or utility consulting firms are strongly encouraged to apply. This position will be based out of our St. Louis, Missouri office – but may support projects in Missouri and Illinois.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform various field services for the construction of electrical substations, including system improvements, replacements, and additions to new and existing substation, overhead, and underground power facilities and circuits.
• Have a working knowledge of National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), electric utility construction standards, and telephone, cable and other communication facilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Oversight of Electric Substation, Distribution and Transmission projects to verify compliance with safety protocols, drawings, and project specifications.
• Provide detailed reporting of site conditions, contractor progress, and identified issues.
• Communicate with Project Managers, Engineers, and Project Stakeholders and customers to address job site concerns and inspection findings.
• Support and coordinate third-party and customer inspection activities as needed.
• Coordinate Material Packages to the appropriate locations.
• Coordinate Outages as required.
• Coordinate Non-Outage and Outage Construction.
• Provide field planning and tracking progress.
• Identify potential design, material, or access issues and collaborate on resolutions.
• Participate in contractor job hazard analysis (JHAs) and contribute to site safety culture.
• Document trends in deficiencies and recommend improvements in construction processes.
• Achieve weekly billable goal as defined by the project guidelines.
• Conduct routine inspections on utility construction job sites to verify compliance with safety protocols, drawings, and project specifications.
• Safety and OSHA requirements, project permits and permit requirements, interpreting state rules and regulations.
• Contract management, management of contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and materials.
• Construction drawing review, drawing quantity takeoff, reporting, writing skills.
• Relationship building, leadership, team building, mentor and facilitator, interpersonal skills.
• Interpretation of a project schedule, planning, interpretation of scopes of work, to make strategic and client focused decisions that will impact a successful project delivery.
• Adaptable dynamic and fast-paced working environment.
• Able to communicate effectively with clients and internal teams through email, phone, and Microsoft Teams.
• Some knowledge of Project management, budget analysis and controls, change orders, QA/QC processes.
• Reports bi-weekly schedule and construction status to the Project Manager.
• Monitors all extra work authorization requests, back charges, and supplier and subcontractor progress/final payment requests for acceptance and is responsible for providing the timely tracking information to Project Controls to support the change management system.
• Able to read logical and resource-loaded project schedules, estimating work efforts, development of processes and procedures.
• Some knowledge of continuous improvement, such as Lean, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio), job costing or accounting software.
• Adheres to Safety, Quality, Ethical Standards, Lessons Learned, and Performance Management programs in accordance with Division Policies, Standards, Guides, and Contractual commitments.
• Takes actions necessary to meet project budget and schedule requirements.
• Directs and approves the development and implementation of construction schedule recovery plans as required.
• Supports or coordinates the Construction Completion Walkdowns and the complete hand over of start-up packages to the operations and supervises the close out of all punch list items.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Must have a high school diploma.
• Completion of Electric Apprentice Program – preferred.
• 3+ years Electric Utility or telecommunications field experience, and familiarity with National Electrical Safety Code (NSEC) required.
• 3+ years verifiable Substation/Distribution/Transmission Construction experience preferred.
• 10 years experience working in a construction environment preferred.
• Knowledge of computers and software applications desired (MS Office products) preferred.
• Valid Driver's license is required – Candidates must be a minimum of 21 years old due to insurance requirements – possess a good driving record.
• Travel is primarily regional to the utility client(s) territory during the business day, although overnight travel is to be expected.
• Background and drug test required.
• Experience working with electric utilities or utility projects.
• Understanding of substation, overhead, and underground electrical distribution systems.
• Working knowledge of NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) requirements.
• Understanding of single-phase and three-phase power systems, transformers, conductors, and pole and electric substation configurations.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple projects and deadlines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with utility construction standards and utility regulations.
• Knowledge of surveying principles and utility right-of-way requirements.
• Experience reviewing utility engineering packages.
• Experience coordinating with power related - utility operations and construction crews.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license required.
• Candidates must be at least 21 years old due to insurance requirements.
• Must possess a satisfactory driving record.
• Ability to travel occasionally for field visits and client meetings.
• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, and climb for extended periods in varied field conditions.
• Comfortable working outdoors in a range of weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to hear, see, and respond effectively in safety-sensitive environments.
• Must be able to follow all safe working procedures and practices.