Superintendent – Underground Wet Utilities

Position Summary

A well-established Southern California underground utility contractor is seeking an experienced Wet Utilities Superintendent to provide field leadership across multiple active projects involving water, sewer, storm drain, fire water, and related underground utility systems.

This role oversees multiple project Foremen and field crews, with responsibility for ensuring each project is properly planned, staffed, equipped, and progressing safely and efficiently. The Superintendent serves as a key link between field and office operations, working closely with Foremen and Project Managers to anticipate project needs, resolve field issues, coordinate resources, and maintain accountability for safety, quality, production, and schedule.

Strong General Foremen with significant wet utility experience who are ready to take the next step into a Superintendent role are also encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide field leadership and oversight across multiple active underground wet utility projects, including domestic water, fire water, sanitary sewer, storm drain, and related structures.
• Lead and support project Foremen, ensuring crews have the manpower, equipment, materials, information, and resources needed to execute the work successfully.
• Work with Foremen to plan daily and weekly activities, establish production expectations, and maintain project schedules.
• Review plans, specifications, utility drawings, profiles, details, and project requirements to support upcoming field operations.
• Coordinate manpower and equipment across projects based on schedules, production needs, and changing field conditions.
• Verify with Foremen that line, grade, layout, sequencing, and specification requirements are understood and being followed.
• Identify conflicts involving existing utilities, other trades, field conditions, or design discrepancies and work with the project team to resolve them before they impact production whenever possible.
• Partner closely with Project Managers, Project Engineers, General Superintendents, inspectors, surveyors, client representatives, and other trades.
• Ensure safe excavation and trench operations across projects while enforcing company safety standards and applicable OSHA requirements.
• Serve as a key liaison between field and office regarding production, project needs, field conditions, changes, potential change orders, and delays.
• Monitor crew productivity, equipment utilization, material usage, quantities installed, and overall project progress.
• Support Foremen in coordinating required inspections and quality-control activities, including pressure testing, chlorination/disinfection, sewer testing, and compaction testing.
• Review field reporting and ensure accurate documentation of manpower, equipment, production quantities, deliveries, inspections, delays, and changing field conditions.
• Visit active projects regularly to evaluate progress, safety, quality, production, and upcoming needs.
• Participate in project and operations meetings and provide clear updates regarding field progress, resource needs, challenges, and upcoming work.
• Mentor and develop Foremen and field personnel while maintaining accountability for safety, quality, production, and schedule.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of underground wet utility construction experience, with previous leadership experience as a Superintendent, General Foreman, or experienced Foreman.
• Strong working knowledge of water, sewer, storm drain, manholes, catch basins, valves, hydrants, and associated underground utility systems.
• Strong understanding of excavation, trench safety, shoring, dewatering, bedding, backfill, and compaction.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, utility profiles, specifications, details, and survey information.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, crew production, equipment utilization, and field planning.
• Ability to oversee multiple active projects and effectively prioritize manpower, equipment, and field resources.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and hold Foremen and field personnel accountable.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, leadership, and organizational skills.
• OSHA 30 and Competent Person – Excavation/Trenching certification preferred.
• Experience with HCSS HeavyJob, Bluebeam, and Excel preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.

What We're Looking For

The right person knows underground wet utilities from the field but has developed the ability to see beyond a single crew or project. You understand what your Foremen need to be successful, know when to step in and when to let them run their work, and can anticipate manpower, equipment, scheduling, and coordination issues across multiple jobs.

We're looking for a field leader who can earn the respect of experienced Foremen and crews, communicate effectively with project management and clients, and take ownership of field execution across multiple projects.