811 Lead Technician - Pinellas County (Water & Sewer)

McKim and Creed • Pensacola, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

McKim & Creed is seeking an 811 Lead Technician to perform underground utility locating and support field coordination and technician development in Pinellas County for Water & Sewer work. This hourly, field-based role is approximately 70% personally assigned locate tickets and 30% technician support and mentoring under the direction of the 811 Field Supervisor. The Lead Technician may assign and reassign tickets within delegated authority, while formal supervision and personnel decisions remain with designated management. Assigned utilities depend on the client and contract. Local daily travel, overtime, and scheduled emergency/on-call coverage are part of the role.

The technician independently reviews ticket instructions, excavation limits, maps, and available records; selects appropriate locating methods; and locates and marks assigned underground utilities. The role also includes managing ticket workloads and records, coordinating assignments and daily coverage, training and mentoring technicians, assisting with difficult locates, supporting quality reviews and damage investigations, and communicating with excavators and client representatives. The Lead Technician models safe work, helps maintain equipment and supply readiness, and escalates unsafe conditions or work outside their training or authorization.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Hands-on 811 underground utility locating experience and ability to independently manage tickets, interpret instructions and utility maps, evaluate field evidence, and recognize when assistance is needed.
• Strong working knowledge of electromagnetic locating receivers and transmitters, troubleshooting methods, utility marking, positive responses, and complete field documentation.
• Ability to organize ticket workloads, identify approaching deadlines, and coordinate assignments within the Field Supervisor’s direction.
• Ability to explain 811 locating methods clearly, coach technicians respectfully, provide constructive feedback, and verify that instruction is applied in the field.
• Dependable work habits, sound judgment, accurate reporting, and ability to balance personal ticket production with assigned team-support duties.
• Ability to communicate professionally with technicians, supervisors, excavators, property owners, and client representatives, and to use mobile devices, email, and ticket-management applications.
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned service area and meet the work schedule, including overtime and scheduled emergency/on-call coverage.
• Ability to perform essential outdoor field duties, including walking on uneven terrain, working in varying weather, and carrying and operating locating equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle record, with successful completion of required background screening and drug testing.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of hands-on 811 underground utility locating experience.
• Experience mentoring 811 locators, providing field-procedure training, coordinating ticket assignments, or serving as a working lead.
• Experience with 811 field quality reviews, damage-investigation support, and verification of corrective actions.
• Experience with UtiliSphere or comparable 811 ticket-management systems and the utilities covered by the assigned contract.

Responsibilities

• Review ticket instructions, excavation limits, maps, and available records; select appropriate methods; and accurately locate and mark assigned underground utilities.
• Manage assigned tickets by due time, travel, field conditions, and service requirements while maintaining safe and accurate work.
• Maintain complete notes, required photographs, positive responses, and completion records.
• Assign and reassign tickets as directed by the Field Supervisor, considering deadlines, geography, technician qualifications, and workload.
• Support daily coverage and report overdue risks, coverage gaps, and resource needs.
• Train and mentor technicians through demonstrations, observation, practical feedback, and follow-up; reinforce approved company and client methods and report progress and development needs.
• Assist with difficult locates, signal interference, conflicting records, and other field challenges; explain supporting evidence and limitations, and escalate unresolved conditions.
• Perform assigned field quality and ticket-documentation reviews, record findings, help technicians complete corrective actions, and verify corrections as directed.
• Support damage and near-miss investigations by preserving ticket records and photographs, documenting field conditions, and gathering facts for the Field Supervisor.
• Coordinate with excavators and client representatives on ticket scope, access, field conditions, and work status within delegated authority; escalate disputes, service risks, and out-of-scope requests.
• Provide continuity during the Field Supervisor’s absence through delegated ticket coordination and technical support; refer management and personnel matters to designated leadership.
• Model safe work and complete required safety documentation.
• Help maintain equipment and supply readiness, report shortages or defects, and support emergency/on-call coverage.
• Stop work and escalate unsafe conditions or tasks beyond training or authorization.

Benefits

• Hourly compensation and competitive benefits.
• Employee ownership through participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, subject to plan eligibility and vesting requirements.
• Training, mentoring, and opportunities for career development.
• Meaningful work protecting people, underground infrastructure, and the communities served.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED