Underground Utility Foreman

Cogent Talent Solutions; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k

PTO / holidays

Job summary

Cogent Talent Solutions is seeking an experienced Underground Utility General Foreman to lead underground wet-utility crews in Cleveland, Ohio. You will own field production, coordination, and day-to-day execution, ensuring safety and high-quality workmanship from mobilization through completion.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in underground wet-utility or heavy-civil, can read plans, manage crews and subcontractors, enforce OSHA standards, and drive on-schedule projects while maintaining

Qualifications

• 10+ years of underground wet-utility or heavy-civil experience.
• 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 and understand elevations/grades.
• 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.

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.
• Review drawings and specifications; communicate field conditions and schedule impacts promptly.
• Maintain high workmanship standards while driving production and meeting schedule goals.

Skills

Leadership

Crew management

Communication

Tools

Ductile iron knowledge

Plan reading

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.