Utility Locator I - W&L

City of Columbia, MO; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Columbia, Missouri is seeking a dedicated utility locate technician to identify and mark underground electric, sewer and fiber lines. You will read blueprints, collect GPS data, and coordinate with project owners to ensure safe excavations.

The role requires 1–3 years of locating experience, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to operate field laptops and GPS equipment. Starting pay is posted; work is primarily on-site with varying conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in utility locating.
• Valid driver’s license.
• NULCA Certification within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Meets with owners or supervisors to plan marking schedules for excavation projects.
• Locates underground electric, sewer, and fiber utilities.
• Responds to One Call requests and emergency utility dig notifications.
• Reads blueprints and assists in locating buried utilities.
• Documents work and maintains accurate records.

Skills

Reading blueprints

GPS data collection

Safety awareness

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

GPS equipment

Field laptops

Job description

City of Columbia, Missouri Career Opportunities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities - The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description

• Meets with business owners and/or designated supervisors to organize marking schedules and locate large excavation projects, trenchless excavations, and excavations impacting critical electric, sewer, and fiber utilities infrastructure.
• Locates underground electric, sewer, and fiber utilities.
• Responds to Missouri One Call requests by driving to sites and locating electric, sewer, and fiber utilities.
• Responds to emergency electric, sewer, and fiber utilities utility dig up notifications.
• Reads blueprints or other engineering drawings to assist in locating buried electric, sewer, and fiber utility lines.
• Collects survey grade GPS coordinates for City owned water utility to correct GIS mapping and for added accuracy in future locating.
• Ensures adherence to all city policies and conformity to common marking practices and standards.
• Documents work performed.
• Performs detailed, accurate, and objective investigations for damages impacting city owned electric, sewer, and fiber infrastructure and/or those caused by excavations.
• Performs continuity test of locate wires.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.

Human Collaboration and Job Impact

• Work may require providing advice to others outside direct reporting relationships on specific problems or general policies. Contact may require considering different points of view to reach agreement. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.
• Interactions have a significant impact on the organization in terms of time, money, or public/employee relations.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Position has limited fiscal responsibility.
• May assist in the collection of data in support of recommendations for departmental budget allocations. May monitor division- or program/promotional-level budgets and expenditures.

Education and Experience - An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in utility locating.

Licenses or Certifications

• Valid driver’s license.
• National Utility Locating Contractors Association ( NULCA ) Certification within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities which may be representative, but not all-inclusive of those commonly associated with this position

Knowledge of:

• City infrastructure.
• Practices, equipment, and techniques related to locating underground utilities.
• Safety standards and precautions pertaining to equipment operation.
• Excavation practices, directional boring methods and open trench safety.
• General office practices and administrative procedures, records management and administration techniques and procedures.
• Common business software applications such as Microsoft Office.

Skill in:

• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Communicating verbally and in writing to meet the needs of the audience.
• Using and maintaining hand and power tools.

Ability to:

• Recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.
• Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records.
• Read and interpret blueprints or other engineering drawings.
• Provide high levels of effective customer service.
• Utilize GPS equipment to update mapping features.
• Use software and field laptops.
• Work on-call and respond at all hours of the day/night.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

• Required to maintain a telephone and permanent residence within 50 road miles of City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO, within 90 days of hire.

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job

• Office or similar indoor environment – Sometimes
• Outdoor environment – Frequently/Often
• Street environment (near moving traffic) – Frequently/Often
• Construction site – Frequently/Often
• Vehicle – Frequently/Often
• Shop environment – Sometimes
• Right of way environment – Frequently/Often

Exposures

• Individuals who are hostile or irate – Sometimes
• Individuals with known violent backgrounds – Sometimes
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees) – Frequently/Often
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees) – Frequently/Often
• Communicable diseases – Sometimes
• Moving mechanical parts – Frequently/Often
• Fumes or airborne particles – Sometimes
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances – Sometimes
• Loud noises (85+ decibels) – Frequently/Often

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• This position involves occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards, as well as outdoor work.
• Incumbents may be required to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly, having to move objects.
• Incumbents are required to feel attributes of objects, grasp, push, stand, walk, drive, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb/balance, operate mechanical equipment, and move up and down from/to a sitting position on the floor.

Hours/Days

M-F 7am – 3:30pm

Starting Salary $18.87/hr.-$27.56/hr.: Commensurate w/training & experience

Pay Grade

Pay Grade 105

Number of Positions Available

Number of Positions Available 1

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 09/14/2026

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA IS A MERIT , AFFIRMATIVE ACTION , EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER : MALE / FEMALE

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA REQUIRES PRE - EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING

THE City of Columbia participates in the federal E-Verify work authorization program