Underground Utility Locator & Field Mapping Specialist

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking an Underground Utility Locator to support safe excavation and infrastructure projects in Los Alamos, NM. You will apply electromagnetic locating, GPR, GPS, and CAD/GIS tools to identify, verify, and map subsurface utilities before digging.

The role emphasizes independent fieldwork, safety, accuracy, and collaboration with engineers, construction supervisors, project managers, and contractors.

Qualifications

• Experience using underground locating tools incl. electromagnetic locating systems.
• Ability to read and interpret utility drawings, as-builts, GIS layers, and site maps.
• Experience using AutoCAD or similar CAD to produce or revise utility drawings.
• Understanding of subsurface utility engineering (SUE) concepts and utility marking standards.
• Knowledge of underground infrastructure: electrical, water, sewer, gas, steam/condensate, and communications.

Responsibilities

• Perform underground utility investigations using locating equipment, GPR, and related technologies.
• Interpret utility prints, as‑builts, GIS data, and site conditions to determine probable utility alignments.
• Mark utilities in the field using paint, flags, and whiskers per APWA color guidelines.
• Collect GPS survey data for undocumented lines, utility upgrades, and new installations.
• Create and update detailed subsurface utility maps using AutoCAD.
• Coordinate with GIS and mapping teams to ensure newly identified utilities are captured.

Skills

Underground locating

GPR

GPS surveying

AutoCAD

Read utility prints

ASME Y14.5

Site interpretation

Education

HS diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree (for Designer/Drafter 3)

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

GPR equipment

GPS equipment

Job description

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking an Underground Utility Locator to support safe excavation and infrastructure projects in Los Alamos, NM. You will apply electromagnetic locating, GPR, GPS, and CAD/GIS tools to identify, verify, and map subsurface utilities before digging.

The role emphasizes independent fieldwork, safety, accuracy, and collaboration with engineers, construction supervisors, project managers, and contractors.