Utility Locate Technician

The Utility Locate Technician provides technical skills and construction support for the Utilities Department, private contractors, and the public.  Performs work scheduling and physically locating all City-owned underground infrastructures in accordance with the Sunshine State One Call of Florida (SSOCOF) system.  This includes processing computerized work orders via the Internet for the physical file location of potable water, wastewater, stormwater and fiber optic cables and all related appurtenances. This employee works in the Transmission and Distribution Division and is supervised by the Manager, Transmission and Distribution. Assignments are given orally or in writing.  This position will require time and effort both in the field and the Utility Building and will also work closely with the Engineering Division.

• Reads and interprets design plans and specifications for the purpose of making field determinations and assessments.   
• Responsible for researching records and utilizing best available data with which to determine utility locations. 
• Coordinate with Engineering, and GIS to keep up to date as-built information of the utility. 
• Responsible for locating all gravity sewer mains, manholes, force mains, water mains, water meters, and stormwater as well as other finished and unfinished pipeline jobs as necessary. 
• Performs skilled work of a specialized nature involving reading complex utility plans and operation of technical electronic locating equipment. 
• Monitors and prioritizes incoming locate requests.  
• Organizes and schedules routes, excavates subject areas as needed and performs physical locates.
• Responsible for providing positive response to SSOCOF website or by phone call on each ticket.
• Makes both oral and written field recommendations to advise contractors or technicians of any areas of existing infrastructure that may be in conflict with proposed construction or will at least require due diligence attention while the site is undergoing excavation/construction.  
• Contacts excavator to reschedule locates if necessary, or contacts excavator when there is a question about the area of excavation.  
• Posts and maintains locate records in computer and ensures full compliance with all locating standards in accordance with the Sunshine State One Call of Florida System. 
• Performs initial and on-going assessments for sites under construction throughout the duration of the validity period of each work ticket. 
• Responsible for witnessing excavations during all Level 1 – Level fiber excavations.
• Attends meetings and confers with project engineers, construction contractors, architects or related parties to identify problems and notes any changes to   supervisor.
•  Makes notations on daily project records and maintains project files.   
• Notify SSOCOF as utility system boundaries change and at a minimum, annual updates are required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma and have three (3) years’ experience in water and wastewater utility installation and location, or a comparable amount of general construction experience.  Considerable knowledge of standard practices used for locating underground utility lines.   Ability to read and interpret complex utility plans.    Knowledge of the use of water, sewer, and electrical locator equipment and basic GIS experience. Must have the ability to work without close supervision and to communicate and cooperate effectively interdepartmentally and with outside agencies. Knowledge of Sunshine State One Call of Florida guidelines, the Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act, Chapter 556; Florida Statutes (F.S.), Florida Trench Safety Act; Part VI, Chapter 553, P.S., the Federal Pipeline Safety Act, and the OSHA standard 1926.651. Must have good written and communications skills.   Driver’s License Requirement: Valid Florida driver’s license classification E.

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.  The position lifts objects up to 50 pounds, walks and stands for long periods of time and performs strenuous physical labor under adverse field conditions. The employee lifts, pushes, pulls or carries objects; uses abdominal and lower back muscles to provide support over time without fatigue; and effectively jumps, sprints or throws objects. The position requires good manual dexterity (hand, hand with arm, two hands) and multi-limb coordination. The position requires the ability to quickly move arms and legs. The employee must have excellent stamina. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.