Watch & Protect Technician

WSB and Associates; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

WSB is seeking a Watch & Protect Technician to monitor excavation activities and verify utility locates, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The role requires coordinating with contractors, documenting field observations, and maintaining detailed records across multiple sites.

The position is primarily field-based, with outdoor work in all weather conditions and daily local travel within the assigned territory.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (Associate or Bachelors degree preferred).
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in utility locating, underground construction, pipeline operations, damage prevention, or a related field.
• Experience working independently in outdoor field environments and managing multiple job sites preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor excavation activities to ensure work is performed safely and within established utility tolerance zones.
• Verify the presence, accuracy, and adherence to utility locates prior to and during excavation activities.
• Coordinate with contractors and excavators to schedule monitoring for high-risk or sensitive excavation work.
• Identify potential conflicts between excavation activities and underground infrastructure and elevate concerns as appropriate.
• Document field observations, findings, and compliance through photographs, written notes, and digital reporting systems.
• Communicate safety concerns, potential risks, and field issues to supervisors and relevant project stakeholders in a timely manner.

Skills

Field monitoring

Safety awareness

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or Bachelors preferred

Tools

Mobile reporting tools (iPad)

DataFi reporting tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Watch & Protect Technician

Forge ahead with WSB. WSB was founded on the understanding that culture drives results, and we've dedicated ourselves to the value of strong relationships, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas. We've inspired each other to discover thoughtful and creative solutions that look beyond the needs of today to the opportunities of tomorrow. We invite you to forge ahead with us.

What you will do:

• Monitor excavation activities to ensure work is performed safely and within established utility tolerance zones.
• Verify the presence, accuracy, and adherence to utility locates prior to and during excavation activities.
• Coordinate with contractors and excavators to schedule monitoring for high-risk or sensitive excavation work.
• Identify potential conflicts between excavation activities and underground infrastructure and elevate concerns as appropriate.
• Document field observations, findings, and compliance through photographs, written notes, and digital reporting systems.
• Ensure excavation practices comply with applicable local, state, and utility-specific safety regulations, standards, and 811 requirements.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of excavation monitoring activities and site visits.
• Communicate safety concerns, potential risks, and field issues to supervisors and relevant project stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Participate in pre-construction meetings for high-risk excavation projects to review scope, utility conflicts, and safety protocols.
• Serve as a field representative supporting damage prevention and excavation safety initiatives.
• Positions self to access tools and materials in various locations.
• Traverses job sites having uneven terrain, slopes, confined spaces, or reinforced trenches.
• Moves materials weighing up to 75 pounds periodically.
• Conducts visual assessments of task quality and job site safety.
• Ascends/descends into job site areas to complete inspections and data collection.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you will bring:

• Education:
• High school diploma or equivalent (Associate or Bachelors degree preferred).
• Experience:
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in utility locating, underground construction, pipeline operations, damage prevention, or a related field.
• Experience working independently in outdoor field environments and managing multiple job sites preferred.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Licenses/Certifications:
• Possession of a valid drivers license with a clean driving record and the ability to operate a motor vehicle is required.
• Software:
• Proficiency in mobile technology (iPad) for reporting and documentation.
• Knowledge of DataFi reporting tools preferred.
• Microsoft Suite Products (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc).
• Working Conditions/Schedule/Location:
• Primarily field-based role must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to work onsite at a WSB office, as needed, as required by the project, client, or hiring manager.
• Reliable transportation required and the ability to travel daily within assigned territory.
• Travel may be required.

Who We Are:

WSB is a design and consulting firm specializing in Transportation, Community Planning, Environmental, Energy, Municipal, and Construction services. We provide solutions for the places, spaces and systems that support our lives. We offer services in more than 50 complementary areas across the nation.

Full time WSB employees qualify for competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, company paid short-and long-term disability, 401K with match, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for professional growth and development. Part time employees can participate in the 401K plan and applicable earned paid leave.

As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or disability status.

WSB strives to ensure that its careers website is accessible to all. If you need assistance completing your online application, please email [e-mail].

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WSB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please e-mail us at [e-mail]. In your e-mail, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Notice to Third Party Agencies: WSB does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting firms. Absent a signed Service Agreement by WSB, we reserve the right to pursue and hire any unsolicited candidates without financial obligation to recruiters or agencies.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI287145398