Pipeline Locator (Gas)

City of Charlottesville; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Vacation & Sick Leave

Health insurance

Life insurance

Gym membership reimbursement

Tuition assistance

Professional development

Job summary

City of Charlottesville is seeking a Pipeline Locator to locate and mark underground gas, water, and sanitary sewer lines. This full-time, non-exempt role reports to the Deputy Director of Utilities and involves coordinating with VA811 and contractors to ensure safe digging practices and compliance with regulations.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED with 1+ year of locating experience (3+ years preferred), and credentials such as operator qualification and Virginia driver’s

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED and at least 1 year experience in underground utility-line locating, damage prevention laws, and utility operation/maintenance.
• 3 or more years of experience underground utility-line locating, damage prevention laws, and utility operation/maintenance.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Locates and marks underground gas, water and sanitary sewer pipelines with electronic locators.
• Coordinates with the Miss Utility VA811 program for updating, responding, and determining location of in-ground utility installations.
• Advises contractors of state damage prevention laws and safe digging practices regarding utility line locations.
• Meets and confers with appropriate department officials, excavators, developers and landowners concerning utility projects and pipeline locations.
• Performs audits of underground utility locations and markings performed by contractors.
• Performs site visits to ensure excavators have valid utility location (VA811) tickets and reviews scope of work for conflicts with City infrastructure.
• Provides technical assistance to City contract locators on difficult to locate lines.
• Completes accurate documentation of audits and other necessary reporting.
• Provide timely and effective communication to other departmental staff and leadership when issues arise.
• Subject to standby call for emergencies and required to respond per guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment and time management.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Skills

Underground locating

Miss Utility VA811 coordination

ESRI ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Education

High School diploma or GED

3+ years underground utility locating experience

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

ESRI ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

General Summary

The Pipeline Locator performs responsible technical work in locating and marking underground gas, water and sanitary sewer pipelines. Works under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Utilities.

Preferred Benefits

The preferred hiring range is $25.57 - $31.42 an hour ($53,185.60 - $65,353.60 annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. Future wage adjustments are subject to terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement between the City and the exclusive bargaining representative.

This full‑time, non‑exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer‑paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5‑year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
• Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.

Essential Responsibilities And Duties

• Locates and marks underground gas, water and sanitary sewer pipelines with electronic locators in accordance with the State Damage Prevention Act and requirements of the State Corporation Commission.
• Coordinates with the Miss Utility VA811 program for updating, responding, and determining location of in‑ground utility installations.
• Advises contractors of state damage prevention laws and safe digging practices regarding utility line locations.
• Meets and confers with appropriate department officials, excavators, developers and landowners concerning utility projects and pipeline locations.
• Assists in resolving schedule conflicts with the coverage of Miss Utility Code 70 tickets.
• Performs audits of underground utility locations and markings performed by contractors.
• Performs site visits to ensure excavators have valid utility location (VA811) ticket; reviews scope of work to confirm no conflicts with City infrastructure, and, if there are, provides feedback to help eliminate conflict.
• Provides technical assistance to City contract locators on difficult to locate lines.
• Completes accurate documentation(s) of audits and other necessary reporting.
• Provide timely and effective communication to other departmental staff, direct supervisor, and departmental leadership when construction issues arise that could impact the services provided or could result in the unexpected disruption of service.
• Subject to being on Standby Call to work in weather or non‑weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• May assist Public Works with snow removal operations, as needed.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience And Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School diploma or GED AND at least 1 year experience in underground utility‑line locating, damage prevention laws, and utility operation/maintenance.

• 3 or more years of experience underground utility‑line locating, damage prevention laws, and utility operation/maintenance.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications / Licenses / Other Requirements

• Must complete and maintain Operator Qualification (OQ) testing as required by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s License and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Must obtain and maintain all certifications required by applicable federal, state and local regulations.
• Subject to federal DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
• Required to successfully pass a pre‑employment background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and pre‑employment physical.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Other Characteristics

Job Knowledge

• General knowledge of modern methods and techniques for the installation and construction of municipal natural gas systems, water systems, and wastewater systems.
• Basic knowledge of contract administration and project management.
• General knowledge of the operation and maintenance manuals of each division and applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
• General knowledge of health and environmental rules, regulations and laws.
• General knowledge of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations.
• Knowledge of Virginia damage prevention laws and regulations.

Reading

• Basic: ability to understand the meaning of commonly used multi‑syllable words and simple paragraphs. Comprehends simple written instructions, signs and notices. Ability to read and comprehend utility location tickets, site plans and constructions drawings.

Writing

• Basic: ability to write simple letters, paragraphs and sentences containing subject, verb, and object, and/or series of numbers, names, and addresses.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Communication Skills

• Basic: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co‑workers, other city staff, city officials, contractors, homeowners, and the public. Communicate and provide basic information to others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies, both orally and in writing. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

Independence and Decision‑Making

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Ability to work independently, engage in problem solving, exercise sound judgment, and implement collaborative decision‑making. Performance is reviewed frequently.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision‑making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Skilled in use of electronic pipeline locating equipment. Ability to use computers and software including but not limited to: Microsoft Office, Office Audit App, and ESRI ArcGIS.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No fiscal/budgetary responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities.

Other Characteristics

• Time pressures.
• Must exercise good judgment in responding to unique situations.
• May require additional hours outside normal schedule, such as for emergencies.
• Demonstrates patience and professionalism when assisting frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands

• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Requires near constant standing and moving about, including balancing, kneeling, crouching, stooping, reaching, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer) while using a computer and while performing duties in the field.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware

• Typically requires use of electronic location tools and other equipment used in performance of duties, as well as standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an outside environment with exposure to weather conditions and temperatures, inadequate lighting, uneven terrain, gases/fumes, dusts and pollen, animals/wildlife, vibrations, near moving mechanical parts, and in or around roadways.
• The noise level may be very loud.
• Expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat, safety vest, steel‑toe shoes, etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy‑related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre‑employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

Summary Of Employee Benefits

Updated February 9, 2026

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

LEAVE

Vacation

Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

• 0 -
• 3 -
• 5 -
• 10 -
• 15 -
• 20 -
• 25+

Hours Accrued Biweekly

• 3.09
• 3.85
• 4.62
• 5.4
• 6.16
• 6.93
• 7.7

Sick

Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays

Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

Observed City Holidays

• New Years Day
• Dr. Martin Luther King Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Liberation & Freedom Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• 1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave

Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full‑time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part‑time employees are eligible to receive pro‑rated leave each available each calendar year.

Delta Dental Plan

• INSURANCE: Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.
• Choose from two options:
• Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)
• Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)
• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)
• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)
• Diagnostic and Preventative–100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum
• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance

In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long‑Term Disability

Upon approval for along‑term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90‑day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits

Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short‑Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

RETIREMENT

Pension

• Choose from two (2) options:
• A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee’s earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5‑year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
• A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual’s account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees).

Supplement

Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

VOLUNTARY

Wellness

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)
• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses
• Online wellness resources and Lunch‑and‑Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement

• Up to $1,500 for job‑related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career‑related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.