Utility Superintendent

SULLIVAN EASTERN INC; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sullivan Eastern, Inc. seeks a experienced Bilingual Utility Superintendent (English/Spanish) to lead underground utility construction projects in the Cary, NC area. You will plan, coordinate, and supervise daily operations to deliver safety-focused, on-schedule results.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in underground utilities, strong plan-reading skills, and proven leadership of diverse crews, with ability to communicate across English and Spanish-speaking teams.

Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish required to communicate with field crews and management.
• Minimum 5 years in underground utility/heavy civil construction.
• Experience in supervising multiple crews and coordinating manpower, equipment, and materials.
• Strong knowledge of water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and related utilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision and leadership of underground utility construction operations.
• Oversee installation of water mains, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, structures, services, and related underground utilities.
• Coordinate utility crews, foremen, operators, laborers, subcontractors, equipment, and materials.
• Review project plans, schedules, and utility layouts to ensure on-time completion.
• Plan daily/weekly activities to maintain project schedules and production goals.

Skills

Bilingual EN/ES

Underground utility experience

Field leadership

Communication skills

Job description

Department: Field Operations – Utilities

Employment Type: Full-Time

Founded in 1933, Sullivan Eastern, Inc. is a family-owned heavy civil construction company specializing in site development, excavation and grading, roadway construction, and underground utility installation throughout the Raleigh–Durham area.

Our commitment to SAFETY 24/7, quality workmanship, integrity, dependability, and teamwork has allowed Sullivan Eastern to build a strong reputation in the construction industry for more than 90 years.

Position Summary

Sullivan Eastern, Inc. is seeking an experienced Bilingual Utility Superintendent (English/Spanish) to provide field leadership and oversight for underground utility construction projects.

The Utility Superintendent is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising daily utility operations while ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, within project requirements, and according to Sullivan Eastern standards.

This position requires a strong working knowledge of underground utility construction, including water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and related infrastructure. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on field leader with the ability to effectively communicate with both English- and Spanish-speaking employees, foremen, project managers, subcontractors, inspectors, and other project stakeholders.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Field Operations & Project Execution

• Provide day-to-day supervision and leadership of underground utility construction operations.
• Oversee installation of water mains, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, structures, services, and related underground utilities.
• Coordinate utility crews, foremen, operators, laborers, subcontractors, equipment, and materials.
• Review project plans, specifications, drawings, schedules, and utility layouts prior to and throughout construction.
• Plan daily and weekly work activities to maintain project schedules and production goals.
• Ensure crews understand project expectations, assignments, sequencing, and deadlines.
• Monitor field production and identify potential delays or challenges before they impact the project.
• Coordinate with Project Managers regarding schedules, manpower, equipment, materials, production, and project needs.
• Verify that work is completed according to plans, specifications, elevations, grades, and applicable standards.
• Coordinate inspections, testing, tie‑ins, shutdowns, and other utility‑related activities as required.
• Maintain organized and productive jobsites.
• Lead, supervise, and support utility foremen and field crews.
• Communicate instructions, expectations, safety requirements, and project information clearly in both English and Spanish.
• Serve as a communication bridge between management and Spanish‑speaking field employees when needed.
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and respect throughout the project.
• Provide coaching and guidance to foremen and employees to improve safety, productivity, quality, and job performance.
• Assist with training and development of field employees.
• Address performance or workplace concerns promptly and communicate significant issues to appropriate management.

Safety

• Promote and enforce Sullivan Eastern's SAFETY 24/7 culture on every project.
• Ensure all employees and subcontractors follow company safety policies, OSHA requirements, and project‑specific safety procedures.
• Participate in and reinforce daily pre-task planning, toolbox talks, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and other required safety activities.
• Identify unsafe conditions or behaviors and take immediate corrective action.
• Ensure proper trenching, excavation, shoring, sloping, access, and confined‑space procedures are followed when applicable.
• Verify employees are using required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Exercise and support Stop Work Authority whenever unsafe conditions exist.
• Promptly report incidents, injuries, property damage, near misses, and safety concerns according to company procedures.
• Work closely with Sullivan Eastern's Safety Department to maintain safe and compliant jobsites.

Quality & Production

• Monitor workmanship and ensure utility installations meet company, project, municipal, and regulatory requirements.
• Verify proper elevations, slopes, grades, bedding, backfill, compaction, and installation procedures.
• Monitor crew productivity and make adjustments to manpower, equipment, and workflow when necessary.
• Minimize rework by identifying potential quality issues early.
• Ensure materials and equipment are available when needed to maintain production.
• Protect existing utilities and coordinate work around known underground and overhead hazards.
• Maintain awareness of project costs and encourage efficient use of labor, equipment, and materials.

Documentation & Coordination

• Maintain accurate daily reports documenting manpower, equipment, production, materials, subcontractors, delays, and significant jobsite activities.
• Communicate project progress, concerns, and upcoming needs to Project Managers and Operations leadership.
• Document field changes, conflicts, unforeseen conditions, and potential change‑order work.
• Participate in project meetings, coordination meetings, and schedule discussions as required.
• Maintain effective communication with inspectors, owners, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and other project representatives.
• Assist with project closeout, punch‑list completion, and final inspections.

Required Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish required, with the ability to communicate effectively with field employees and management in both languages.
• Minimum 5 years of underground utility/heavy civil construction experience preferred.
• Previous experience as a Utility Superintendent, General Superintendent, Utility Foreman, or similar field leadership position strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of underground utility construction methods and procedures.
• Experience with water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, structures, and related utility systems.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, specifications, profiles, details, and utility drawings.
• Strong understanding of excavation, trenching, grading, elevations, slopes, and utility installation.
• Knowledge of OSHA construction safety requirements and safe excavation/trenching practices.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise multiple crews and coordinate manpower, equipment, and materials.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced construction environment and adjust to changing field conditions.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel to project locations throughout Sullivan Eastern's operating area.

Preferred Qualifications

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• Competent Person training for excavation and trenching.
• Confined Space training.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Experience working on municipal, commercial, residential, roadway, and large‑scale site development projects.
• Experience coordinating with municipal inspectors and utility authorities.
• Experience using GPS, grade‑control technology, construction software, or electronic daily reporting systems.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

This is a field-based construction position. The employee must be able to:

• Work outdoors in varying weather and jobsite conditions.
• Walk and stand for extended periods on uneven construction terrain.
• Safely access trenches, excavations, and active construction areas when required.
• Bend, climb, stoop, and perform other physical activities associated with construction‑site supervision.
• Wear required PPE at all times while on active jobsites.
• Work early mornings, extended hours, and occasional weekends as project schedules require.
• Travel between Sullivan Eastern project locations as necessary.

What We Are Looking For

The successful Bilingual Utility Superintendent will be a strong field leader who leads by example. This individual should understand that successful utility construction requires more than production—it requires planning, communication, accountability, quality, and an uncompromising commitment to safety.

We are looking for someone who can earn the respect of field crews, communicate effectively across language barriers, solve problems in the field, and work collaboratively with Project Managers and company leadership to successfully deliver projects.

At Sullivan Eastern, our work is guided by:

SAFETY 24/7 Respect Integrity Honesty Dependability

Our goal is not simply to be the biggest—we strive to be the best by protecting our people, delivering quality work, and building lasting relationships with our employees, clients, and communities.

Sullivan Eastern, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

I intentionally made bilingual English/Spanish a required qualification rather than just “preferred,” because if the purpose of creating this specific superintendent role is to strengthen communication between field leadership and Spanish‑speaking crews, that requirement should be clear from the beginning. I also built in utility‑specific responsibilities rather than making it a generic construction superintendent posting. SEI specifically identifies utilities as part of its turnkey site‑development work and emphasizes planning, communication, safety, and field leadership. (Sullivan Eastern)

I can also turn this into a formal Sullivan Eastern Word job description with sections for Reports To, FLSA Status, approval/signature lines, and revision date if this is going into the official HR job‑description files.