Senior SUE Technician

LaBella Associates; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Schedule

Health/Dental Insurance

401k Plan with Employer Match

Paid Parental Leave

Short & Long Term Disability

Profit Sharing

Paid Time Off

Leadership Development Program

Fitness Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Referral Bonus Program

Wellness Program

Team Building Events

Community Service Events

Job summary

LaBella Associates is seeking a Senior SUE Technician to lead field operations across multiple NY offices including Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Ithaca. The role focuses on QL-B utility designation, mentoring field staff, and delivering high-quality utility mapping for transportation and municipal projects.

Ideal candidates have 2–5 years of SUE experience, a related technical bachelor’s degree, and proficiency with EM locating equipment and GPR. Travel and overtime may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying, Engineering, Geology, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• 2–5 years of progressively responsible experience performing Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Quality Level B (QL-B) utility designation services.
• Experience with electromagnetic utility locating equipment and GPR.
• Experience reading utility records and design plans to identify underground utilities.
• Ability to lead field crews or mentor junior technicians and communicate with project teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily field operations for SUE projects, ensuring safe, accurate, and efficient utility designation activities.
• Perform advanced utility locating using EM induction and GPR equipment.
• Interpret utility records, as-built drawings, and plans to identify underground infrastructure.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior SUE technicians.
• Coordinate daily activities with project managers, surveyors, engineers, and clients.
• Prepare accurate daily field reports, utility sketches, and electronic documentation.
• Perform QA/QC reviews of field data and final SUE deliverables.
• Maintain and troubleshoot SUE equipment and technology.

Skills

Field operations leadership

Mentoring junior technicians

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying/Engineering/Geology/Construction Management

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Trimble Business Center

Carlson

GPR equipment

Job description

LaBella is currently seeking qualified candidates for a Senior SUE Technician opening in our Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, or Ithaca, NY offices. LaBella fosters a collaborative, team-oriented environment while delivering exceptional service to our clients.

As a Senior SUE Technician, you will play a key role in leading field operations and supporting the successful delivery of Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) projects. This position requires extensive experience performing Quality Level B (QL-B) utility designation and mentoring field staff to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient utility investigations. You will work closely with project managers, surveyors, engineers, and technicians to provide high-quality utility mapping and deliverables on a variety of transportation, municipal, and private development projects.

Duties:

• Lead daily field operations for SUE projects, ensuring safe, accurate, and efficient utility designation activities.
• Perform advanced utility locating using electromagnetic induction and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment to identify and designate subsurface utilities.
• Interpret utility records, as-built drawings, design plans, and field conditions to accurately identify underground infrastructure.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior SUE technicians and assist with field training.
• Coordinate daily activities with project managers, surveyors, engineers, and clients.
• Participate in project planning, scheduling, and coordination meetings.
• Prepare accurate daily field reports, utility sketches, and electronic documentation.
• Perform quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) reviews of field data and final SUE deliverables.
• Assist with utility records research and project documentation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot SUE equipment and technology to ensure reliable field performance.
• Support business development by identifying opportunities for SUE services on multidisciplinary projects.
• Maintain organized project records and assist with data archiving.
• Safely operate company vehicles and equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Salary Range: $30.00 - $40.00 per hour

The specific salary offered may be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, education, and work location.

• Bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying, Engineering, Geology, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• 2–5 years of progressively responsible experience performing Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Quality Level B (QL-B) utility designation services.
• Demonstrated proficiency using electromagnetic utility locating equipment and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
• Strong understanding of utility records research, utility coordination, and SUE best practices.
• Experience leading field crews or mentoring junior technicians is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret utility plans, engineering drawings, and survey information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with DOT, municipal, public utility, or transportation projects is preferred.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, Carlson, or similar software is a plus.
• OSHA safety certifications are a plus.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform the physical demands of field work.
• Willingness to travel and work overtime as project needs require.

Body, mind, and wallet—LaBella’s benefits support a holistic approach to your health and wellness, creating the foundation for physical, mental, and financial well-being. Our benefit offerings cover the must-haves (healthcare and retirement), the just-in-cases (insurances and employee assistance programs), and the cherry-on-tops (fitness reimbursements, year-end incentive pay, and tuition assistance). Visit our website for more details on benefits listed below.

• Flexible Work Schedule
• Health/Dental Insurance
• 401k Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• Leadership Development Program
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• Wellness Program
• Team Building Events
• Community Service Events

LaBella is committed to facilitating a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion are respected, valued, and celebrated by implementing thoughtful, practical, and innovative strategies that support our employees and serve the communities in which we reside. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws.

LaBella Associates does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting professionals or agencies, nor do we accept resumes from any source that does not reference a specific, open position. LaBella Associates will not be responsible for any fees arising from the use of resume submitted by recruiting professionals or agencies that do not have a current placement fee agreement with LaBella Associates. All initial communication with recruiting professionals or agencies must go through human resources.