Utility Line Locator, Utility Services

Utility Line Locator

The City of Alexandria is seeking professional individuals to begin a career in the Utility Services Department, located in the heart of Central Louisiana, to identify, locate, and mark the location of City-owned underground utilities in order to prevent accidental damage or disruption of service due to construction activities. Work is performed under the supervision of the Superintendent, Utility Services and/or his/her designee.

The City of Alexandria offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: medical insurance, dental and vision, short/long term disability, group and dependent life insurance, sick and vacation leave, 11 paid holidays, EAP, tuition reimbursement, wellness clinic for employees and their dependents. Retirement benefits include the City of Alexandria's Retirement System, and a voluntary deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan.

• Locates and marks existing City-owned underground infrastructure including: natural gas (including high-pressure gas lines and regulator station infrastructure), electric primary and secondary lines, water lines, gas and water valves (including electronic markers), wastewater lines, and fiber optic lines, streetlights, and traffic signals.
• Operates various electronic devices designed to assist in the locating of subsurface utilities including electric primary and secondary lines, gas and water lines, gas and water valves, wastewater lines, fiber optic lines, streetlights and traffic signals; interprets signals and output from electronic detection equipment to locate underground utility lines.
• Operates a personal computer in order to obtain information regarding excavation locations and to input status of work performed; completes log of work performed.
• Organizes daily locate assignments into a route designed to minimize backtracking and increase efficiency in covering an assigned area of the City; operates a motor vehicle to complete locating assignments and to respond to emergencies.
• Senses and detects natural gas leaks when locating gas mains and services; reports suspected leaks.
• Performs repairs to damaged tracer wires when the integrity of the wire has been compromised due to excavating activities.
• Prepares or updates maps to make corrections for specific plats.
• Prepares written documents verifying marked utilities after damages to City facilities and expedites claims for utility repairs.
• Interacts with contractors, coworkers, and the general public to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience; and two (2) years of full-time employment in underground or utility construction-related work involving some responsibility for reading and interpreting project plans, blueprints, electronic quarter section and plat maps, or related materials; OR two (2) years full-time employment using electronic locating devices. Must possess valid driver's license.

Will be required to obtain a valid State of Louisiana driver's license at time of appointment and a valid State of Louisiana Class D driver's license within 60 days and maintain throughout employment for this classification.

Work Schedule:

40 hours per week;
Position is subject to work overtime, including holidays and weekends.