Underground Pipe Superintendent - Eastern District

Kiewit•Hutchinson, KS

About The Position

The Underground Pipe Superintendent is responsible for the safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of underground utility and piping work on complex civil construction projects. This role provides hands-on field leadership and oversees crews performing excavation, trenching, pipe installation, structures, backfill, testing, and restoration. The superintendent is expected to have strong experience leading self-perform underground construction and understand the installation process from interpreting plans and coordinating excavation through final testing and turnover. The positions are based on complex power and industrial projects. Assignments may be throughout the Great Lakes Area, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, with the specific job location determined closer to the start date. Travel and relocation may be required as business needs dictate, and work may take place in cities or small towns. Employees may also work at varying locations and under varying conditions.

Requirements

Significant field experience in underground utility, pipeline, heavy civil, industrial, water/wastewater, or infrastructure construction.
Experience with excavation, trenching, shoring, bedding, pipe installation, backfill, and compaction.
Strong understanding of underground utility construction sequencing and safe excavation practices.
Ability to read civil drawings, utility profiles, specifications, and construction plans.
Working knowledge of line, grade, elevations, slopes, and basic survey and layout principles.
Experience coordinating manpower, heavy equipment, materials, and multiple crews.
Strong understanding of production-driven, self-perform construction.
Effective leadership and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across craft, project management, safety, quality, and client teams.
Ability to work in active construction environments and travel or relocate to project sites as required.
Regular, reliable attendance; ability to work productively, meet deadlines, communicate professionally, and follow oral and written instructions.

Nice To Haves

Previous Superintendent or General Foreman experience overseeing underground pipe crews is strongly preferred.
OSHA 30 and Competent Person excavation/trenching training are preferred or required depending on project responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Lead daily field operations for underground pipe and utility installation activities.
Supervise foremen, operators, laborers, pipefitters, and other craft personnel performing self-perform work.
Plan and coordinate excavation, trenching, shoring, dewatering, bedding, pipe installation, backfill, compaction, testing, and restoration.
Oversee installation of water and fire water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, process and industrial piping, force mains, large-diameter piping, manholes, catch basins, vaults, and other underground structures.
Read and interpret drawings, specifications, profiles, elevations, and utility plans to ensure work is installed correctly.
Coordinate survey and layout requirements, line and grade, elevations, slopes, tie-ins, and existing utility conflicts.
Develop daily and short-term work plans based on project schedules, manpower, equipment, materials, and site conditions.
Coordinate equipment needs, material deliveries, subcontractors, inspectors, and other trades to maintain productivity.
Monitor crew production and identify opportunities to improve installation methods and sequencing.
Maintain strong safety standards related to excavation, trench protection, confined spaces, lifting, equipment operations, and underground utility work.
Ensure work meets project specifications, quality requirements, testing standards, and inspection requirements.
Work closely with Project Managers, Project Engineers, General Superintendents, Safety, Quality, and Survey teams.
Identify constructability issues and field conflicts early and help develop practical solutions.
Track installed quantities, daily production, manpower, equipment utilization, and field progress.
Mentor foremen and field personnel while maintaining clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and accountability.
Maintain regular, reliable attendance and work productively to meet deadlines.
Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others, individually or in a team environment.
Work safely and effectively, following oral and written instructions, warning signs, equipment-use instructions, and other policies.
Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within deadlines; work overtime and weekends as required.