Foreman - Underground Utilities

Cogent Analytics; North Royalton (OH); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k

PTO / holidays

Job summary

Cogent Analytics seeks an experienced Underground Utility General Foreman to lead underground wet‑utility crews and own field production from start to finish. The role demands a true field leader who can organize people and equipment, drive safe, high‑quality output, and keep projects on schedule.

You will plan daily work, set production targets, coordinate multiple trades, and ensure trench safety per OSHA standards while maintaining progress across water and sewer installations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in underground wet‑utility or heavy‑civil work.
• Proven ability to lead crews, equipment, materials, inspections and daily production.
• Ability to read plans and understand elevations/grades; plan work efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Lead underground wet‑utility projects from mobilization through completion.
• Set daily/weekly production targets and ensure crews meet them.
• Coordinate plumbers/pipefitters, operators, laborers, subcontractors and equipment.
• Plan work sequences, manage job pacing, and minimize downtime.
• Oversee installation of water mains, fire mains, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, hydrants, valves, vaults and related systems.
• Enforce trench safety, competent‑person requirements, and OSHA standards.
• Ensure proper bedding, installation, restraint, backfill, compaction and grade control.
• Review drawings and specifications; communicate field conditions and schedule impacts promptly.
• Maintain high workmanship standards while driving production and meeting schedule goals.

Skills

Underground utility leadership

Field coordination

Reading plans

OSHA safety compliance

Job description

Underground Utility General Foreman

We are seeking an experienced Underground Utility General Foreman to lead underground wet‑utility crews and take full ownership of field production, coordination, and day‑to‑day execution. This role is for a true field leader—someone who understands underground utility construction, anticipates needs, organizes people and equipment effectively, and drives safe, high‑quality production from start to finish.

Position Overview

The General Foreman is responsible for delivering underground wet‑utility projects safely, correctly, and on schedule. This includes planning daily work, setting production goals, coordinating manpower and equipment, ensuring materials and inspections are ready when needed, and maintaining accountability across all field personnel. The ideal candidate thinks several steps ahead, identifies obstacles early, and keeps crews productive without compromising safety or workmanship.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead underground wet‑utility projects from mobilization through completion.

• Establish daily/weekly production targets and ensure crews meet them.

• Coordinate plumbers/pipefitters, operators, laborers, subcontractors, and equipment.

• Plan work sequences, manage job pacing, and minimize downtime.

• Oversee installation of water mains, fire mains, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, hydrants, valves, vaults, and related systems.

• Enforce trench safety, competent‑person requirements, and OSHA standards.

• Ensure proper bedding, installation, restraint, backfill, compaction, and grade control.

• Review drawings and specifications; communicate field conditions and schedule impacts promptly.

• Maintain high workmanship standards while driving production and meeting schedule goals.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• 10+ years of underground wet‑utility or heavy‑civil experience; strong field leadership preferred.

• Proven ability to manage crews, equipment, materials, inspections, and daily production.

• Strong knowledge of ductile iron, C900/C909, MJ fittings, restraints, valves, hydrants, bedding/backfill, and utility installation practices.

• Ability to read plans, understand elevations/grades, and plan work efficiently.

• Effective communication with field teams, inspectors, project managers, and general contractors.

• Experience with underground utility, site, water/sewer, or fire‑main contractors is highly desirable.

$35 - $45 an hour

• Health insurance
• 401k
• PTO / holidays

What Success Looks Like

A successful General Foreman knows the production target for the day, understands whether the crew is ahead or behind, anticipates tomorrow’s material needs, keeps equipment working, identifies issues before they become delays, and maintains safety and quality while increasing production. This role requires someone who owns the job in the field and delivers results—not just activity.

Ideal Candidate

You are a seasoned underground‑utility professional who has earned leadership through knowledge, preparation, consistency, and accountability. You think ahead, communicate clearly, solve problems proactively, and treat each project as if its success is personally yours to deliver.