Damage Prevention Coordinator or Specialist I

City Utilities of Springfield•Springfield, MO

6d•$51,219 - $70,383•Hybrid

About The Position

Connect to a career at City Utilities! CU has been connecting our community to the services they need for every day life since 1945. From electricity to power our lives, clean water to be healthy, natural gas to stay warm, internet to keep businesses connected, to transit services to get them where they need to go. Under the general direction of the Supervisor - Damage Prevention, assists in the administration of all efforts related to City Utilities’ damage prevention program, including locating and marking underground facilities, notification services provided by MO-811, excavator education and awareness, ensuring that underground facilities are locatable, and assisting CU construction crews in any manner that will help efficiency and safety of employees. Assists in the protection of the Utility and its Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Telecommunications, and Transit operations. Ensures accuracy of locates performed on High Profile gas facilities. Coordinates activities between contractors and various departments within CU to ensure Utility Standards and state and federal statutes are followed. Responsible for Public Safety relating to excavation practices by CU or contract crews and by the general public when excavating around CU facilities. In addition to Damage Prevention Coordinator, a Damage Prevention Specialist I has increased ownership in the tasks and responsibilities listed above.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent is required.
A minimum of two years of utility experience is required.
A valid driver’s license (minimum Class F) is required.
Working knowledge of underground facility locating by means of conductive locating equipment.
Working knowledge of inductive locating equipment and map records.
Working knowledge of utility-related construction skills.
Working knowledge of educating/training program development skills; interpersonal skills, and effective communication (oral and written) skills.
General knowledge of Missouri Statute 319 and Common Ground Alliance best practices.
Ability to work courteously with customers, co-workers, and individuals in other departments.
Ability to meet deadlines and schedule work in a timely manner.
Ability to handle interaction with outside vendors and contractors in a professional manner.
Ability to effectively utilize a range of digital tools and platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, enterprise software, artificial intelligence-enhanced applications, and self-service systems.
Must possess a willingness and capacity to learn and adapt to emerging technologies, including mobile devices, cloud-based systems, and data-driven platforms relevant to utility operations.
Models a constructive attitude and always acts in the best interest of the utility, placing organizational goals ahead of individual concerns.
Maintain adherence to all company policies.
Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and receive detailed information through oral communication.
Substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, and close visual acuity to operate a computer is required.
Position may require bending, stooping, pushing, and pulling.
May require lifting to 50 pounds, on occasion.
Must be able to remain calm, confident, and knowledgeable in a crisis situation.
Normal office environment.
Field work in all weather conditions is frequently required.
May be required to work varying schedules during restoration efforts or other emergencies.
Required to wear uniform clothing provided by City Utilities, including flame retardant/arc rated clothing.
Must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.
Employee must remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times and maintain the ability to respond to changing circumstances in a timely manner.
Must be able to work successfully with diverse groups of people.
Subject to Department of Transportation’s and/or Public Service Commission’s drug and alcohol testing requirements.
A minimum of four years of locating and marking experience, including electric, natural gas, water, communication, traffic signal, and sanitary sewer is required.
A minimum of four years of utility experience to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations is required.

Nice To Haves

Some applicable college coursework is preferred.
Two years of locating and marking experience or utility construction experience, including electric, natural gas, water, communication, traffic signal, or sanitary sewer is preferred.
Training and public speaking experience is preferred.
Associates degree from an accredited college or university, including a vocational trade school, with at least 12 semester hours in Computer Information System, Construction, or related areas is preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensures compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations that relate to underground facility safety and damage prevention.
Performs audits of location services performed by contractors, including High Profile locates, as described in City Utilities’ Damage Prevention Program.
Facilitates safe excavation near City Utilities’ High Profile facilities, coordinating with contract locators, excavators and City Utilities personnel to ensure compliance with internal policies and industry best practices.
Collects GPS pinpoint data to map underground utilities, including telecommunications, electric, gas, and water.
Responsible for the investigation of damaged aerial infrastructure.
Performs field investigations in an effort to identify the root cause of damage to CU assets.
Assists with the coordination of the annual Missouri Common Ground Safety Summit.
Assists with the excavator education and awareness program, including curriculum development, workshop and seminar planning, and public speaking.
Locates new underground facility construction to ensure facilities are locatable and map records are accurate.
Works closely with contractors and utility locate companies to coordinate necessary resources to avoid buried infrastructure and ensure community safety.
Utilizes electronic detection equipment, locates and marks electric, natural gas, water, communication, traffic signal, and sanitary sewer facilities for excavators within CU service territory. Actively supports all Finance goals, processes, and standards.
Performs other related duties as required or assigned by management.
Documents improper excavation activities and reviews recommended action with management.
Develops and recommends processes and procedures to improve communications with and oversight of, excavation contractors working near CU facilities.
Coordinates with Engineering and Construction departments to properly identify placement of new underground utilities.
Attends internal and external safety informational events.
Assists with the Company training and applicable operator/locator qualification program and requirements.
Interfaces with emergency responders (police, fire, and Office of Emergency Management) during Base 5 events. Subsequently is responsible for reporting emergency and high-profile locates.
Assists with emergency scenarios, often first on scene.
Assists with field investigation of legal claims.