Field Utility Locator: On-Call & Community Impact

City of Durham; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Durham is seeking a Utility Locator to locate and mark water, sewer, and storm drain systems in the field, ensuring safety and accuracy. You will maintain locating equipment, support GIS-based work orders, and collaborate with crews to protect city utilities and residents.

The role requires prior utility locating experience, a valid NC driver’s license, and willingness to work a rotating on-call schedule including weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; technical certification preferred.
• Two years of related utility locating experience.
• Valid NC driver's license or ability to obtain NC license within 60 days.
• On-call shift and weekend/holiday availability.
• Understanding of utility infrastructure and GIS data.

Responsibilities

• Plan and route daily work to perform utility locating, construction staking, and equipment maintenance; collect survey data; transport equipment and supplies; establish work safety zones; use specialized systems and equipment to perform and record operations; review maps; perform technical calculations; prioritize work orders; and follow all City policies and safety procedures.
• Maintain equipment, supplies, and vehicles, including system checks, equipment calibration, cleaning, and preventative maintenance; report unresolved equipment issues and ensure proper working condition of all assigned tools, systems, and vehicles.
• Prepare and maintain routine reports, records, field notes, and other documentation; accurately enter data into work order management or other recording systems.
• Locate and mark City-owned water, sewer, and storm drain systems.
• Organize and review daily workload; utilize GIS to research and verify work orders.
• Perform light excavation with hand tools when necessary to expose buried utilities.
• Work independently while contributing to the overall success of the team.
• Must work rotating on-call shift as a condition of employment

Skills

Utility locating

GIS data

On-call rotation

Map interpretation

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Technical certification

Tools

GIS software

Locating equipment (EMI/GPR)

Job description

City of Durham is seeking a Utility Locator to locate and mark water, sewer, and storm drain systems in the field, ensuring safety and accuracy. You will maintain locating equipment, support GIS-based work orders, and collaborate with crews to protect city utilities and residents.

The role requires prior utility locating experience, a valid NC driver’s license, and willingness to work a rotating on-call schedule including weekends and holidays.