Locator​/GPS Technician

Job Title

Utility Locating Technician

Shelby, NC

$20.23 Hourly

Full-Time

Energy Services

08/31/2026

Performs intermediate skilled technical work locating of water, sewer, electric, natural gas, stormwater, and fiber utility lines and field data collection. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Utility Support Supervisor.

Collects and reviews City GIS mapping data; prepares utility maps and collects field data. Collects data in the field using GPS units and other hardware including survey-grade GPS hardware. Locates and marks City owned utilities including existing underground utility lines and appurtenances. Schedules routes and workloads from NC811 for efficiency; utilizes computer in ruck to receive locate ticket requests and closes out tickets upon completion.

Assists with managing a variety of special projects, new utility upgrades, replacements; assists with large scale projects such as highway construction to determine what utilities are in conflict and need to be marked; reviews location requests to determine if City owned utilities are in conflict or not. Performs related tasks as required.

High School diploma or GED with course work in GIS, electronics or related field and experience in the location of utility lines and data collection experience in, surveying, locating utility lines and the use of GPS units and/or other hardware used for data collection equipment or equivalent combination of education and experience. Valid driver's license in the State of North Carolina.

Completion of gas qualifications to be able to locate per Federal regulations. Thorough knowledge of operation of electronic locating devices such as Pipehorn, Metrotech, Radiotech, Tinker Rasor, etc.; thorough knowledge of the maintenance, manual methods and tasks involved in locating utilities; through knowledge of the hazards associated with the work and the associated safety precautions;; thorough knowledge of the municipal utilities service policies and procedures;

general knowledge of operation of GPS equipment; general knowledge of the City engineering standards and specifications related to utilities systems installation methods and material; ability to read utility maps to determine the location of natural gas, electric, water, sewer lines and fiber; ability to read and understand locate ticket directions and perform tasks requested; ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form;

ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with engineers, homeowners, contractors, surveyors, outside agencies, associates, and the general public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting;

work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound;,

using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

This full-time position qualifies for benefits, which include;
Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, 401k and NC Retirement.