Sr Underground Utility Technician

Sr Underground Utility Technician

The city of Las Vegas is accepting applications for Sr Underground Utility Technician. This position leads, oversees and performs skilled and semi-skilled work identifying, locating, and physically marking the location of subsurface underground utility lines prior to and throughout construction excavation activities; coordinates efforts with contractors, excavators, and other utility owners to facilitate safe excavation and protect city owned and maintained infrastructure; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.

Supervision Received : Receives general supervision from the Traffic Field Supervisor or higher-level staff. May receive functional and technical supervision from a Senior Traffic Systems Technician. Acts as a lead worker, exercising functional or technical supervision, including scheduling and assigning tasks, providing guidance, ensuring work is completed according to proper procedure, monitoring work progress, and reviewing results.

Examination Process : A civil service examination will be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Rules of the city of Las Vegas. The supplemental questions are the examination. Falsification of information may result in disqualification from a recruitment or removal from a city position. Additional information will not be accepted after the closing date. The supplemental questions are weighted 100% for placement on an eligible list, and must be worked on individually by the applicant only. The supplemental questions of all qualified applicants will be reviewed for placement on an eligible list. You must score 70% or higher on the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The eligible list will remain in effect for a period of 6 months from the date of certification and may be extended for a period of up to 2 years. The purpose of this recruitment is to establish an eligible list for current and / or future openings which may include part-time or full-time positions. Final candidate selection will include list placement and may include hiring interview (if applicable). Any individual offered employment will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test, complete background check, and may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform the physical requirements of the job. Some positions may require preliminary background checks.

Example Of Duties

Essential Functions :

• Leads, plans, assigns, trains, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for performing underground utility location services for city owned underground utility infrastructure.
• Maintains work and performance records, including daily work log, site sketches and drawings, reports, forms, and memos to document work completed and problems encountered and / or resolved.
• Conducts research, locates and marks out underground and subsurface installations in accordance with federal, state and local requirements; operates equipment used to identify underground and subsurface assets including electronic tracking, GPS, and other types of tracking technologies; accurately marks out the location of the subsurface facilities according to industry practices.
• Works independently in accurately locating and marking all types of existing City-owned underground infrastructure including, but not limited to : electric company feeders, storm water collection / distribution facilities, wastewater collection lines, streetlights, area lighting, traffic signals, telephone cables, utilities serving city facilities, and fiber optic systems.
• Reads and accurately interprets maps, GIS data, blueprints, schematic drawings, archives, and related symbols and markings; coordinates changes and corrections.
• Meets with excavators, property owners, contractors, utility owner representatives, city employees in other departments and divisions, and developers to assist in identifying subsurface installations; explain service locations and responsibilities; attend pre-job meetings with excavators as needed.
• Reviews the work of the contractors in reference to their hitting or damaging a city-owned utility during excavation; responds to emergency calls when unknown utility is located; identifies utility and notifies contractor or citizen.
• Investigates and prepares detailed written documentation on excavation which results in damage to underground and subsurface assets owned / maintained by the City; prepares and maintains a variety of reports. Makes field notes on the locations of underground utility lines.
• Uses hand tools such as shovels, picks, and lid pullers to open, find, and uncover vaults, valve boxes, conduit, pipes, sewer manholes, utility boxes, and other underground assets.
• Uses computer system to update incorrect or missing assets; enters data into a One-Call system; correctly uses GPS receivers to locate facilities; retrieves and resolves work using office and field computer systems.
• Reads maps and GIS systems, assists in updating when deficiencies are noted between field conditions and the map and GIS data.
• Adheres to all related codes and regulations for duties assigned; adheres to safe work practices and procedures; maintains repairs and sets up devices for work zone traffic control and worker safety; ensures public safety is maintained during work activities.
• Shares technical knowledge and information in areas of expertise with other employees with whom the individual is assigned to work.
• Assists in emergency repairs of underground and subsurface infrastructure as needed.

Marginal Functions :

Minimum Requirements

Experience : Three years of experience in the construction, maintenance, surveying, or utility line locating field involving underground and subsurface assets. Training : Equivalent to graduation from high school. License or Certificate : Possession of a valid driver's license on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter. Employee must attend training in work zone safety measures as requested by department management. Special Requirements : May be required to respond to emergency situations after normal work hours, including nights, holidays, and weekends is required. This position may be staffed as a five day per week position at the department's discretion in order for the city to comply with NRS mandates.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of : Properties and principles of accurately identifying all types of underground facilities. Principles, practices, theories, and materials of the underground utility field. Reading and interpreting blueprints, maps, GIS, as-built drawings, schematics, symbols, drawings and related materials. Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of work assigned. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Principles and practices of subsurface construction and installations. Traffic work zone safety practices. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment, including common office software. Principles of lead supervision and training. Geography of the City of Las Vegas and adjacent area. Components and operational characteristics of wastewater, storm drains, sewer, electric, telemetry, fiber optic and cable lines. All types of equipment used to locate utility lines. Computer programs used to create and update GIS maps. Methods and procedures of GPS handheld receivers and associated software. Installation practices of wastewater collection, potable water, storm water, and flood control systems. Installation practices of fiber optic systems, electrical systems, traffic signal systems, and other utilities owned operated and maintained by municipalities. Markings and symbols used on maps, project plans, and blueprints. National Electrical Code as it applies to area of assignment. Underground Service Alert and pertinent State regulations. Confined space entry procedures.

Skills in : Determining the correct location of underground utility lines using electronic locating equipment. Operating various electronic and computerized devices designed to assist in the locating of subsurface utilities including, wastewater lines, fiber optic systems, reclaimed water system, storm water collection system, streetlights and traffic signals. Operating a variety of vehicular, stationary, and computerized locating equipment in a safe and effective manner. Reading and following underground utility damage prevention procedures. Working near connected electrical circuits. Distinguishing colors. Reviewing and interpreting and updating maps, schematics, diagrams, as-built drawings, descriptions, plans, GIS maps, and blueprints to determine the locations of underground utility lines and related facilities. Maintaining accurate records and reports on work activities via computer systems. Manually accessing utility appurtenances such as valve boxes, meters, and wastewater manhole lids. Working safely in heavy and hazardous traffic conditions utilizing safety devices. Maintaining safe operation of motor vehicle and safety related equipment. Effectively utilizing computerized systems. Organizing daily field assignments into a route designed to minimize backtracking and increase efficiency in an assigned area.

Ability to : Independently perform all utility line locating duties within the city. Learn the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department of Public Works. Read and understand department policies and procedures. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Work independently and effectively with minimal direct supervision while working in the field. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Understand and follow oral and written instructions and sketches.

Competencies : Core Workforce Competencies Professionalism Demonstrates core values by being honest, respectful and positive. Effective Communication Expresses verbal and written thought in a clear and understandable manner. Customer Focus Demonstrates genuine concern and satisfies external and / or internal customers based on the CLV core purpose and values. Adaptability Able to effectively modify behavior to suit changing workforce demands.