Utility Locator
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Apply
Utility Locator
Salary
$49,737.00 - $77,169.00 Annually
Location
Durham, NC
Job Type
Full time with benefits
Job Number
25-05771
Department
Environmental & Street Services
Opening Date
12/17/2025
Closing Date
Continuous
Description
Benefits
Questions
Position Description
Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Top-notch management, highly qualified, competent staff and opportunities for career advancement and professional success make the City of Durham's Environmental & Street Services Department a great place to work. Our consistent and steady work environment sets us apart from traditional construction-related worksites, and our exceptional benefits and retirement plans support your long-term success. We create the foundation on which Durham is built, using innovative methods that support the City's growth and enhance our quality of life. We need innovative, highly qualified talent to do that. If growing professionally while serving your community is for you, bring your skills to Durham!
Hiring Range: $49,737 - $77,169
Shift: Monday - Friday; 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
*After successful completion of training period candidate will work a rotating ‘on call’ shift responding to emergency calls between the hours of 4:00 pm to 7:00 am and on weekends/holidays as needed.
The Utility Locator will locate, and mark water, sewer, and storm drains to avoid damage in the excavation areas performed by other utility companies, contractors, and private residents. Other duties include maintaining locating equipment, performing periodic maintenance checks, gathering necessary marking supplies, working as a team to protect city utilities, residents, and issues of public safety, while responding to NC811 tickets using state-of-the-art utility locate software. All work is completed in the field with very little, if any, in-office duties.
Duties/Responsibilities
Plan and route daily work to perform utility locating, construction staking, and equipment maintenance; collect survey data; transport equipment and supplies; establish work safety zones; use specialized systems and equipment to perform and record operations; review maps; perform technical calculations; prioritize work orders; and follow all City policies and safety procedures.
Maintain equipment, supplies, and vehicles, including system checks, equipment calibration, cleaning, and preventative maintenance; report unresolved equipment issues and ensure proper working condition of all assigned tools, systems, and vehicles.
Prepare and maintain routine reports, records, field notes, and other documentation; accurately enter data into work order management or other recording systems.
Locate and mark City-owned water, sewer, and storm drain systems.
Organize and review daily workload; utilize GIS to research and verify work orders.
Perform light excavation with hand tools when necessary to expose buried utilities.
Work independently while contributing to the overall success of the team.
Must work rotating on-call shift as a condition of employment
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
High School Diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSet, TASC).
Two years of related experience locating utilities.
Valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another states driver's license, must be willing and able to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire.
Additional Preferred Skills
Must work rotating on-call shift from 4:00pm to 7:00am as a condition of employment.
One year of advanced study or training past high school equivalency resulting in appropriate technical certification.
Three or more years of related experience.
Understanding of basic utility infrastructure and interpreting GIS data.
Knowledge of various locating devices including electromagnetic and GPR.
Benefits – General Full-Time Employees
12-13 paid holidays per year
13 standard work days of vacation per year
13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
2 weeks paid military leave per year
Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
State and City retirement plans
Short and long term disability plans
Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
Paid funeral leave
Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
48 hours for volunteer work each year*
4 hours parental leave each year
Workman's Compensation Insurance
457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)
401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
State retirement plan
Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)
401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service
01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?
City of Durham Website
Walk in
Job fair
Employee referral
Professional organization
Please list the organization in "other" box below
Internet posting
Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below
Craig's List
Facebook
LinkedIn
GlassDoor
governmentjobs.com
Monster.com
Indeed.com
Employment Security Commission
Magazine/Newspaper
Other
02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of completed education.
Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
PhD or Juris Doctorate
04
Do you have one year of advanced study or training (of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature) past the high school equivalency?
Yes
No
05
Do you have a valid North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another state driver's license, are you willing to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire?
Yes
No
06
How many years of related experience do you have locating utilities?
No related experience
Less than 2 years of related experience
2 years but less than 3 years of related experience
3 years but less than 5 years of related experience
5 or more years of related experience
07
How would you rate your experience level with Geographical Information Systems (GIS)?
No experience
Beginner Level
Intermediate Level
Advanced Level
Expert Level
08
Please briefly describe your experience using utility locating devices indicating which devices you have used and what utilities you have experience locating. If no experience please respond N/A.
09
After successful completion of training period, are you willing and able to work a rotating 'on call' shift responding to emergency calls between the hours of 4:00 pm to 7:00 am and on weekends/holidays as needed?
Yes
No
10
The annual starting salary for this position is $49,737 - $59,684 depending on education, experience, and approval by the Public Works Director. The hiring range is non-negotiable. Do you acknowledge your review and understanding of the hiring range?
Yes
No
Required Question
Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/durhamnc/jobs/newprint/5173695)
Apply
Utility Locator
Salary
$49,737.00 - $77,169.00 Annually
Location
Durham, NC
Job Type
Full time with benefits
Job Number
25-05771
Department
Environmental & Street Services
Opening Date
12/17/2025
Closing Date
Continuous
Description
Benefits
Questions
Position Description
Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Top-notch management, highly qualified, competent staff and opportunities for career advancement and professional success make the City of Durham's Environmental & Street Services Department a great place to work. Our consistent and steady work environment sets us apart from traditional construction-related worksites, and our exceptional benefits and retirement plans support your long-term success. We create the foundation on which Durham is built, using innovative methods that support the City's growth and enhance our quality of life. We need innovative, highly qualified talent to do that. If growing professionally while serving your community is for you, bring your skills to Durham!
Hiring Range: $49,737 - $77,169
Shift: Monday - Friday; 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
*After successful completion of training period candidate will work a rotating ‘on call’ shift responding to emergency calls between the hours of 4:00 pm to 7:00 am and on weekends/holidays as needed.
The Utility Locator will locate, and mark water, sewer, and storm drains to avoid damage in the excavation areas performed by other utility companies, contractors, and private residents. Other duties include maintaining locating equipment, performing periodic maintenance checks, gathering necessary marking supplies, working as a team to protect city utilities, residents, and issues of public safety, while responding to NC811 tickets using state-of-the-art utility locate software. All work is completed in the field with very little, if any, in-office duties.
Duties/Responsibilities
Plan and route daily work to perform utility locating, construction staking, and equipment maintenance; collect survey data; transport equipment and supplies; establish work safety zones; use specialized systems and equipment to perform and record operations; review maps; perform technical calculations; prioritize work orders; and follow all City policies and safety procedures.
Maintain equipment, supplies, and vehicles, including system checks, equipment calibration, cleaning, and preventative maintenance; report unresolved equipment issues and ensure proper working condition of all assigned tools, systems, and vehicles.
Prepare and maintain routine reports, records, field notes, and other documentation; accurately enter data into work order management or other recording systems.
Locate and mark City-owned water, sewer, and storm drain systems.
Organize and review daily workload; utilize GIS to research and verify work orders.
Perform light excavation with hand tools when necessary to expose buried utilities.
Work independently while contributing to the overall success of the team.
Must work rotating on-call shift as a condition of employment
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
High School Diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSet, TASC).
Two years of related experience locating utilities.
Valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another states driver's license, must be willing and able to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire.
Additional Preferred Skills
Must work rotating on-call shift from 4:00pm to 7:00am as a condition of employment.
One year of advanced study or training past high school equivalency resulting in appropriate technical certification.
Three or more years of related experience.
Understanding of basic utility infrastructure and interpreting GIS data.
Knowledge of various locating devices including electromagnetic and GPR.
Benefits – General Full-Time Employees
12-13 paid holidays per year
13 standard work days of vacation per year
13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
2 weeks paid military leave per year
Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
State and City retirement plans
Short and long term disability plans
Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
Paid funeral leave
Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
48 hours for volunteer work each year*
4 hours parental leave each year
Workman's Compensation Insurance
457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)
401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
State retirement plan
Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)
401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service
01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?
City of Durham Website
Walk in
Job fair
Employee referral
Professional organization
Please list the organization in "other" box below
Internet posting
Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below
Craig's List
GlassDoor
governmentjobs.com
Monster.com
Indeed.com
Employment Security Commission
Magazine/Newspaper
Other
02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of completed education.
Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
PhD or Juris Doctorate
04
Do you have one year of advanced study or training (of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature) past the high school equivalency?
Yes
No
05
Do you have a valid North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another state driver's license, are you willing to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire?
Yes
No
06
How many years of related experience do you have locating utilities?
No related experience
Less than 2 years of related experience
2 years but less than 3 years of related experience
3 years but less than 5 years of related experience
5 or more years of related experience
07
How would you rate your experience level with Geographical Information Systems (GIS)?
No experience
Beginner Level
Intermediate Level
Advanced Level
Expert Level
08
Please briefly describe your experience using utility locating devices indicating which devices you have used and what utilities you have experience locating. If no experience please respond N/A.
09
After successful completion of training period, are you willing and able to work a rotating 'on call' shift responding to emergency calls between the hours of 4:00 pm to 7:00 am and on weekends/holidays as needed?
Yes
No
10
The annual starting salary for this position is $49,737 - $59,684 depending on education, experience, and approval by the Public Works Director. The hiring range is non-negotiable. Do you acknowledge your review and understanding of the hiring range?
Yes
No
Required Question