Utility Line Locator

City of Waxahachie; Waxahachie (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Waxahachie is seeking an entry/journey level Utility Worker to perform utility locates, maintain records, and support maintenance and repair of city water and wastewater lines. The role involves field work, equipment operation, and responding to inquiries and emergencies.

The successful candidate will have a high school diploma or GED and at least one year of utility maintenance experience, with appropriate licenses to be obtained within 12 months of hire. Includes driving city vehicles.

Qualifications

• Line locating principles and techniques.
• Operations, services and activities of a water distribution and wastewater collections system.
• General construction, maintenance and repair methods related to the area of work assigned.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Basic record-keeping principles.
• Water and wastewater line installation and repair techniques.

Responsibilities

• Perform utility locates in response to requests from 811 or other sources in a timely, professional manner.
• Operate light and heavy equipment listed in duties.
• Respond to citizen inquiries and complaints; assist contractors in locating utility lines; provide emergency response.
• Remove, repair and replace concrete, asphalt, and other paved surfaces; excavate and backfill work sites; CCTV wastewater mains as needed.
• Maintain assigned vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Line locating principles

Water distribution ops

Wastewater basics

Construction and repair methods

Read/interpret plans

Education

High School Diploma or GED

One year utility maintenance experience

Job description

While this position is scheduled to close on 11/16/2026, it may close earlier if a sufficient number of qualified applications is received.

Under general direction, performs utility line locates as needed. Maintains complete, accurate and detailed records of line locating activity and prepares reports as needed. To assist in maintaining complete, accurate and detailed records of line locating activity. To assist in semi-skilled and skilled work in the construction, maintenance and repair of city utility lines; to undertake a variety of maintenance activities pertaining to utilities operations and services; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. Performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry/journey level class in the Utility Worker series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Senior Utility Worker by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned with no supervisory responsibility. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Perform utility locates in response to requests from Texas 811 or other sources as needed in a timely and professional manner, making proper use of any equipment assigned. Ensuring proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
• Operate various light and heavy equipment including back hoe, jackhammer, hydraulic chain cutters, chop saw, tapping machine, dump truck, dewatering pumps, concrete saw, ventilation blower, smoke blower, air compressor, sewer machines, various hand tools and safety equipment.
• Respond to citizen inquiries and complaints; respond to requests from contractors and provide assistance in locating utility lines; provide emergency response to utility line maintenance problems; investigate complaints related to water and sewer, such as but not limited to leaks, or stoppages.
• Remove, repair and replace concrete, asphalt, and other paved surfaces; excavate and backfill water and wastewater job sites; assist in the repairs and replacement of water and wastewater mains and services; CCTV wastewater mains and lateral lines when required.
• Maintain assigned vehicles, tools, and equipment needed for maintenance and repair.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Line locating principals and techniques.
• Operations, services and activities of a water distribution and wastewater collections system.
• Methods and techniques of general construction, maintenance, and repair related to the area of work assigned.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Basic principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Water and wastewater line installation and repair techniques.
• Operations, services and activities of the city.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Safe handling of traffic in a construction zone.
• Operational characteristics of general construction, maintenance and utility repair equipment and tools.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to:

• Read and interpret engineering plans and construction drawings.
• Independently perform the most difficult utility line maintenance activities.
• Perform a variety of manual tasks for extended periods of time and in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Operate a variety of general construction, maintenance and utility repair equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Understand departmental policies and procedures.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to operate tablet for the completion of work orders and utility locate request.

Education, Training and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED
• One year of utility maintenance experience, preferably utility line locating.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of valid State of Texas Class C driver’s license
• Possession of or the ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate, valid Class D Water Distribution license and Wastewater Collections I license issued by TCEQ within 12 months of hire

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 80 pounds unaided. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

Work Environment

Field environment with travel from site to site; exposure to inclement weather conditions; noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, potentially hazardous chemicals, waste and infectious materials; potentially hazardous equipment. Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work flexible schedule or irregular.