Salary: $18.00 - $20.33 Hourly
Location : Fairhope, AL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FHP00195
Department: Public Utilities
Division: Gas
Opening Date: 05/30/2025
Closing Date: 7/31/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt

Description

Under the supervision of the Utility Billing Supervisor, this employee locates utility service lines (electric, gas, water, and wastewater) throughout the City's service area using electronic detection equipment. The employee interprets and verifies location data and performs visual inspections of work areas. The employee informs City utility staff and relevant third parties of line locations to avoid line damage or service conflicts. The employee interacts with contractors, surveyors, and customers to determine and verify utility location information. The employee maps new utility installations, coordinates infrastructure location work with all applicable City departments and private contractors and maintains detailed location records for compliance with Alabama's One Call system (811 System). The employee may assist utility installers and maintainers providing utility services. This employee operates equipment (dump truck, backhoe, and tractor) in the performance of their job. The employee responds to emergency utility service calls (i.e., gas leaks, water leaks, electrical outages, damaged lines, etc.) as required. This employee reviews new construction sites for utility service locations and site issues or concerns for service. This job is considered safety sensitive and is subject to pre-employment background checks and random drug screenings.
Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Locates Underground Utility Services. Utilizes electronic detection equipment to locate underground utility services.

1. Uses electronic detection equipment to locate and mark utility services (electric, water, sewer, and gas services) in the City.
2. Interprets and verifies location data to ensure data accuracy; cross-references data with other data sources to ensure accuracy of locations.
3. Informs City utility staff and relevant third parties of service line locations.
4. Maps new utility infrastructure as it is installed.
5. Operates and maintains ground penetrating radar machine utilized in locating operations.
6. Maintains detailed infrastructure location records to comply with state's One Call (811 System) system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Utility Service Connections. Assists with connecting and establishing service to residences and businesses within the City's service area.

1. Connects residential and commercial service customers to the City's service network.
2. Troubleshoots all service connections to ensure proper operation.
3. Installs water meters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Emergency Response. Responds to utility systems emergencies such as line leaks or line damage.

1. Responds to utility system emergencies during regular work hours as well as during non-routine working hours.
2. Serves as member of designated emergency response team as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Equipment Operation. Operates a variety of heavy equipment utilized to install and maintain utility service lines and associated components.

1. Operates dump trucks, backhoes and tractors utilized in utility line installation and maintenance.
2. Monitors the maintenance needed for all equipment utilized in this job; reports needed maintenance to higher management.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

1. Assists work crews in the installation of utility service mains in new residential and commercial areas.
2. Assists in troubleshooting utility lines for proper operation.
3. Performs other job-related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possess a high school diploma or GED.
2. Minimum of one (1) to three (3) years of work experience in underground utility line locating
3. Possess a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or be able to obtain this license within six (6) months of employment; must be insurable.
4. Possess or ability to obtain Professional Utility Locator certification within a prescribed time after hire.
5. Apprentice Gas Fitter certification is preferred.
6. Ability to work non-standard hours and emergencies.
7. Ability to travel.
8. Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and an initial drug screen.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(* Can be acquired on the job)

1. *Knowledge of City rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
2. *Knowledge of City geography, roads, streets, and underground utility systems.
3. *Knowledge of underground electronic utility detection equipment.
4. *Knowledge of municipal utility system operations.
5. *Knowledge of City gas, electric, water and sewer systems.
6. Knowledge of heavy equipment operation and use.
7. Communication skills to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
8. Verbal skills to effectively communicate with co-workers, supervisors, the general public and over the telephone.
9. Writing skills to prepare reports and other materials using correct English, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
10. Reading skills to understand and interpret City policies and guidelines.
11. Math skills to perform basic calculations (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
12. Ability to use and maintain electronic utility infrastructure locating equipment.
13. Ability to acquire and maintain appropriate operator qualifications to perform all job requirements.
14. Ability to read and understand construction drawings and plans.
15. Ability to prepare and maintain detailed records.
16. Ability to operate desktop, laptop computers, and office productivity software.
17. Ability to operate heavy equipment such as dump trucks, backhoes, and tractors.
18. Ability to acquire and maintain appropriate operator qualifications required to perform all job requirements.
19. Ability to maintain professional attitude.
20. Ability to use a telephone.
21. Ability to deal with all contacts in a courteous and patient manner.
22. Ability to handle dynamic situations in a calm and courteous manner.
23. Ability to prioritize work projects and multi-task.
24. Ability to organize files and work projects.
25. Ability to work with little or no supervision.
26. Ability to drive.

Physical Demands

The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or similar activities; recurring lifting moderately heavy items such as record boxes. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment

The work involves moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, e.g., working around moving parts, carts, or machines; with contagious diseases or irritant chemicals, etc. Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields.
The City of Fairhope offers a wide variety of benefits to regular full-time employees.
As a regular full-time employee with the City, you are eligible to enjoy the following benefits:

• Affordable Health Insurance
• Affordable Vision Insurance
• Affordable Dental Insurance
• Employer paid Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Symbol Health Solutions*
• Discounted membership at Fairhope Recreation & Fitness Center
• Discounted Quail Creek Green Fees
• Employer paid Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Dependent Care Account
• Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA)
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Vacation Time
• City approved paid Holidays

Regular Part Time employees who work 29+ hours per week participate in the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA)
*Symbol Health Solutions is contingent upon enrollment in the City health insurance.