Utility Locate Coordinator

City of Vancouver

About The Position

With a fantastic waterfront, vibrant downtown, great parks, neighborhoods and public spaces, a commitment to smart growth, excellent service delivery and community engagement, Vancouver, Washington is all grown up, and we need excellent talent to keep us going (and growing) strong! We’re currently recruiting for a Utility Locate Coordinator. The primary responsibilities for the job are to lead and coordinate personnel and participate in a variety of activities involved in the locating of water, storm, and sewer utilizing utility maps and sensitive electronic equipment. Perform a variety of technical activities in support of City utility crews, contractors, excavators and other utility companies. This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt union position. This position is covered under the provisions of an agreement between the City and the AFSCME union. The schedule for this position is M-F, 6am to 3:30pm.

Requirements

Four (4) years of experience in a utility related to the installation, maintenance, repair, or location of water, storm and sewer service facilities and lines.
Equivalent to a HS Diploma/GED
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Basic skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Skills to manage and access Isite, to coordinate work and access locate tickets.
Proficiency using map software, such as GIS and Field maps on a regular basis.
Possession of, or ability to obtain: An appropriate, valid driver's license.
A flagging card within six (6) months of hire.
A valid CPR/First Aid card within three (3) months of hire.
A TWIC card within 6 months of hire.
A confined space certification.
Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations regarding the locating of utilities.
Basic supervisory and customer relations techniques
Materials, methods, equipment and techniques commonly used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of underground utilities
Hazards of excavating underground utilities
Electronic equipment and devices used in locating underground utilities
Basic mathematical principles
Safe work practices
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
Use of personal computers and basic software
Read and interpret engineering plans, drawings and sketches
Train entry-level staff in the procedures and equipment used in locating underground utilities
Provide clear directions to staff.
Communicate with homeowners, contractors, other locators and developers’ during meetings to provide accurate information on locating.
Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
Always provide a high level of customer service
Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
Empower your team to be innovative and share possible efficiencies to the locate program.
Consistently provide quality service
Maintain regular and dependable attendance
Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk.
Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
Responsible for ensuring a safe workplace in compliance with applicable policies, procedures and regulations.
Ensures supervised employee review of the City Core Accident Prevention Plan, relevant safety policies and procedures, and training on illness and injury response and specific job-related safety concerns.
Reports and appropriately escalates all safety issues and all injuries.
This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, a basic criminal background check, and a driving abstract.

Responsibilities

Plan, prioritize, and oversee the work in the locating department.
Receive work orders, locate requests and allocate work to appropriate staff; coordinate, review, and inspect the work of assigned employees to verify accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable laws.
Instruct staff on technical aspects of work; provide training on maintenance and repair methods, techniques, and set-up and use of equipment.
Understand the dig law and be prepared to provide direction and clarification to staff on law and its requirements.
Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for providing service, implement and reinforce policies and procedures.
Consult utility maps and operate equipment including, but not limited to, an electromagnetic metal pipeline tracing machine, dousing rods, metal detectors, and a computer to locate and mark City water, storm and sewer mains and services in public streets, alleys, and utility easements in accordance with the Washington State Dig Law.
Climb in and out of water meter vaults to attach equipment for tracing.
Calculate distances to ensure exact locations; mark the locations using locate equipment, flags and paint.
Respond to questions and train City personnel in the policies, procedures, equipment and pertinent rules, regulations and laws used in locating underground utilities.
Respond to emergency situations to provide information and direction to contractors, city employees, and the public to prevent damage to city utilities.
Carry a pager and respond to emergency locate calls after hours and on weekends as needed.
Contact contractors and customers to schedule appointments for questionable locates and answer questions.
Coordinate meetings to support locate activities so that objectives can be met and education can be provided to customers on the dig law.
Complete dig reports, Represent the interests of the City at Clark County Utility Coordinating Council Meetings.
Provide positive response to private side locates if locators have limited time
Be engaged with field staff providing communication and assistance when needed.
Fill in when utility locators are out of the office and daily to be sure locates are being complete and accurately marked.
Coordinate with the utilities if markings are off to help educate the team and update the resources used when marking utility locations to improve accuracy
Test and evaluate new locate equipment and maintain all locate equipment.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.