SUE Technician III

Mark Thomas; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 114,616,000 - 157,597,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k and ESOP

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid/remote work

Job summary

Mark Thomas is seeking an experienced Subsurface Utility Technician (SUE Technician III) to lead field crews in locating and marking utilities using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic locating gear. This role supports project teams in Oakland, San Jose, and Walnut Creek, California, with mentoring of junior technicians and strict adherence to safety standards.

The ideal candidate has at least five years of utility locating experience, strong leadership and communication skills,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in utility locating techniques.
• In-depth understanding of utility systems and infrastructure.
• Ability to work solo on utility location tasks.
• Work safely following IIPP and Code of Safety Practices.
• Exceptional attention to detail in marking locations.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong leadership and communication skills; mentoring preferred.
• Proficient with SUE equipment.
• Proficient in MS Office for data analysis and reporting.
• Understand ASCE SUE 38-22 guidelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to collaborate in a team environment.
• Willingness to travel regionally; valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Leads and supervises advanced utility locating techniques and equipment to mark utilities.
• Reviews plans and maps to provide solutions for underground challenges; communicates with owners.
• Independently provides underground marking information to survey crews.
• Ensures timely task completion within budget; adheres to QA/QC standards.
• Prepares field packages, data reduction, and filing.
• Acts as field partner and mentor to SUE Technician I; trains junior techs.
• Instructs juniors on locating all utilities and related infrastructure.
• Assists other technicians with field troubleshooting issues.
• Resolves field issues and communicates concerns as needed.
• Promotes safety protocols; adheres to Injury & Illness Prevention Program.
• Maintains vehicles and locating equipment; reports malfunctions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Field experience

SUE equipment

MS Office

ASCE SUE 38-22

Driver's license

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

GPR

EM locating equipment

Job description

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Job Title

Location

Oakland - Oakland, CA 94612 US
San Jose - San Jose, CA 95134 US (Primary)
Walnut Creek - Walnut Creek, CA 94596 US

Category

Survey and Mapping

Salary Grade

$40.00 - $55.00

Full Time/Part Time

Full-time

Mark Thomas is hiring an experienced Subsurface Utility Technician! The SUE Technician III possesses a higher-level of expertise in conducting subsurface utility location using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic locating equipment with added leadership and training responsibilities. The SUE Technician III can work successfully as a solo crew member but spends most of the time partnering in the field with more junior SUE Technicians to ensure they are trained and mentored to perform marking and locating responsibilities safely and to company standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads and supervises the utilization of advanced utility locating techniques and equipment to accurately identify and mark the horizontal position of utilities.
• Conducts comprehensive research and reviews of project plans, blueprints, and utility maps to provide insights and solutions to complex underground utility challenges; communicates with utility owners, municipalities, etc. as appropriate.
• Independently provides comprehensive underground utility marking information to survey field crews for their assignments.
• Ensures timely completion of work tasks within budget, adhering to QA/QC standards, and providing marking and locating expertise to enhance project efficiency; possesses the experience and judgement to make field operational decisions (knowing when to mark on a rainy day, streamlining, etc.)
• Manages the preparation of field packages, data reduction efforts, and filing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Acts a field partner and mentor to the SUE Technician I and facilitates training activities for junior technicians, fostering their professional growth and development.
• Instructs and trains junior technicians how to locate all utilities, water, comm, gas, electric, storm/sewer, reclaimed water, traffic signals, streetlights, and more.
• Assist other technicians with troubleshooting issues in the field (signaling issues, general line issues, etc.)
• Proactively communicates and resolves utility issues and concerns found in the field as appropriate.
• Promotes a culture of safety, enforcing protocols and regulations to safeguard personnel and prevent utility damage during operations and acts as a champion for the safety protocols and requirements as highlighted in the Company’s Injury & Illness Prevention Program to include the Code of Safety Practices.
• Maintains vehicles and locating equipment in working order; immediately reports and equipment maintenance or malfunction to supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in utility locating techniques and equipment, with a proven track record of excellence in the field.
• Possesses a in-depth understanding of utility systems and infrastructure, with expertise in multiple utility types and complex scenarios.
• Ability to successfully perform utility location tasks in a solo crew.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely in the field; abides by Company IIPP & Code of Safety Practices.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in marking and recording utility locations.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to mentor and guide junior technicians; experience training SUE field crew members preferred.
• Possesses a high-level of SUE equipment proficiency.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications for data analysis and reporting.
• Proficient in the understanding and application of ASCE SUE 38-22 Guideline for utility locating.
• Possesses effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Commits to continuous learning and professional development, staying updated on industry trends and best practices.
• Physical capability to perform fieldwork and lift equipment as necessary; ability to physically move manhole covers of various sizes.
• Ability to travel regionally for days at a time.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility.

Mark Thomas offers a fantastic benefits and compensation package to include:

• Competitive salary and incentives to include employee referral bonuses, certification and licensing incentives (PLA, PLS, PE, LSIT, EIT), and eligibility for year-end performance incentives
• 401k and ESOP retirement benefits to include profit sharing and a 401k match
• Paid-time off benefits to include PTO, public holidays + additional holidays, bereavement leave, jury/civic time, licensing & certification exam time
• Employer-paid vision insurance, basic life insurance, short-term & long-term disability, long-term care insurance, inclusive family planning & fertility resources, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), travel insurance, and in-house wellness education & challenges
• Voluntary medical and dental insurance, life insurance, and pet insurance
• FSA programs for medical, dependent care, commuter & parking
• Reimbursements for certification and licensing exams and study classes and materials
• Tuition reimbursement, paid annual dues for industry professional/societal organizations, memberships, and events
• Budgeted time for training and career development
• Flexible schedules and hybrid and primarily remote work environments

*The offered rate of compensation (California locations only) will be based on individual education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. The successful candidate selected for hire will need to submit to abackgroundcheck due to client relationship responsibilities and interactions required for this position following the extension of a conditional offer.

Mark Thomas is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. Mark Thomas welcomes all.