Trouble Locate Technician / Advanced Utility Locator

Job Description

Job Description

The Trouble Locate Technician specializes in difficult, congested, or high-risk underground utility investigations where standard locating methods are insufficient. This role requires advanced troubleshooting expertise, critical thinking, and extensive field experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Investigate complex utility locating issues and unmarked facilities.
• Perform advanced electromagnetic and signal analysis.
• Locate utilities in congested urban environments and major infrastructure corridors.
• Verify utility depth, direction, and continuity.
• Support excavation crews during high-risk digs and emergency work.
• Utilize advanced locating technologies including:
• GPR 
• Induction locating 
• Passive sweeps 
• Sonde locating 
• Signal tracing
• Diagnose bleed-over, distorted signals, and abandoned utilities.
• Create detailed field documentation and sketches.
• Support damage investigations and root-cause analysis.
• Provide technical guidance to field locators and supervisors.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years advanced locating experience strongly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of underground utility infrastructure.
• Experience in high-density utility environments.
• Ability to interpret complex utility prints and as-builts.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Experience with major electric transmission or distribution systems preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• Utility locating on large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Strip, resort, airport, or metropolitan utility environments.
• HDD support and vacuum excavation coordination.
• Advanced fault locating and tracing.

Certifications Preferred:

• OSHA 30.
• Confined space awareness.
• CPR/First Aid.
• Advanced locating manufacturer training.

Physical & Environmental Requirements:

• Outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Night work and emergency response capability.
• Ability to safely work near active construction and traffic zones.