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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for OSP Damage Prevention Specialist

💰 $ - $

OperationsSafetyUtilitiesEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

The OSP Damage Prevention Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing damage prevention activities for Outside Plant (OSP) infrastructure. This role safeguards fiber, cable, and other utility assets by enforcing one-call (811) practices, conducting field locates and inspections, leading incident investigations, and delivering stakeholder education. The Specialist partners with construction crews, contractors, municipalities, and internal engineering teams to reduce accidental strikes, ensure regulatory compliance, update GIS records, and continuously improve the damage prevention program.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Technician / Locator
  • Construction Inspector
  • GIS Technician

Advancement To:

  • Damage Prevention Supervisor / Manager
  • OSP Operations Manager
  • Safety & Compliance Manager
  • Senior Network Protection Analyst

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS / Mapping Analyst
  • Construction Project Coordinator
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and perform field utility locates for Outside Plant (OSP) fiber, copper, and conduit systems, using industry-standard locating equipment, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and GPS/GNSS hardware to provide accurate, on-time markings that comply with 811/one-call ticket requirements.
  • Manage full lifecycle of one-call tickets (811) including ticket intake validation, job scoping, priority assessment, dispatching locates, documentation, and timely closure to meet service-level agreements and state one-call timetables.
  • Conduct comprehensive site visits and pre-construction assessments to identify existing OSP infrastructure, potential conflict zones, and required mitigation measures to prevent excavation strikes and network outages.
  • Investigate damage incidents involving OSP assets: lead root cause analysis, collect field evidence (photos, GPS points, witness statements), prepare detailed incident reports, and recommend corrective actions and process improvements.
  • Maintain and update GIS and CAD mapping layers for OSP facilities following field verifications; ensure as-built accuracy by capturing precise coordinates, depth data, and infrastructure attributes.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (including Common Ground Alliance (CGA) best practices, applicable 49 CFR/PHMSA guidance where relevant, OSHA excavation rules, and state One-Call statutes) and internal company damage prevention policies.
  • Develop and deliver damage prevention training and awareness programs for internal crews, contractors, subcontractors, and municipal stakeholders focused on safe excavation practices, positive response obligations, and emergency contact protocols.
  • Coordinate emergency response and outage restoration activities when OSP damage occurs, acting as the damage prevention liaison to restoration crews, dispatch, and emergency management to minimize customer impact.
  • Oversee contractor pre-qualification, on-site orientation, and compliance monitoring during excavation and construction activities near OSP assets; enforce safe digging practices and proper use of potholing/vacuum excavation.
  • Implement and own KPIs for the damage prevention program (e.g., tickets handled, locate quality, incident frequency, strike rate, positive response rate), analyze trends, and produce monthly/quarterly performance dashboards and executive summaries.
  • Lead cross-functional reviews for planned capital and maintenance projects to ensure damage prevention controls are integrated into project scopes, permits, and work plans.
  • Review and approve permits and construction plans for work within proximity to OSP assets, providing technical notes, clearance requirements, and recommended excavation methods to protect underground facilities.
  • Perform targeted patrols and aerial/ground inspections of OSP right-of-way and duct routes to detect unauthorized digs, encroachments, or construction activity that could compromise network integrity.
  • Design and administer localized risk assessments for densely congested corridors or areas with repeated dig activity; implement mitigation strategies such as increased staking, additional markings, or temporary shielding.
  • Manage vendor and locator partner relationships: assess performance, audit locate quality, enforce contractual damage prevention obligations, and coordinate corrective action plans for recurring issues.
  • Support implementation and integration of damage prevention technologies (ticketing systems, GIS integration, mobile field apps, RFID markers, and remote sensing tools) to streamline locates and recordkeeping.
  • Prepare, distribute, and present regulatory filings, damage prevention program documentation, and incident summaries to regulatory agencies, internal compliance teams, and executive leadership.
  • Maintain meticulous records of locate activities, positive responses, clearance notices, and field measurements to support claims handling, insurance processes, and dispute resolution with third parties.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives by documenting lessons learned from incidents, updating standard operating procedures, and aligning team practices with CGA Best Practices and industry benchmarks.
  • Participate in public awareness campaigns and community outreach to educate excavators, municipalities, and landowners on safe digging practices, one-call obligations, and company contact procedures.
  • Provide technical guidance for trenchless operations and HDD planning to avoid undue stress on OSP conduits and to minimize the risk of inadvertent strikes during horizontal directional drilling.
  • Coordinate data handoffs and verification with OSP engineering and records teams during network buildouts, relocations, or retirements to ensure as-built accuracy and future-locate reliability.
  • Support claims management: assist legal and insurance teams by supplying incident documentation, timeline reconstruction, and expert input during root cause adjudication and subrogation efforts.
  • Mentor and coach junior locators, field inspectors, and damage prevention technicians to build team capability and ensure consistent application of safety and locating standards.

Secondary Functions

  • Collaborate with IT and GIS teams to refine data schemas, automate ticket-to-map workflows, and improve locate accuracy via mobile data capture enhancements.
  • Support procurement and evaluation of locating equipment, vacuum excavation services, and software tools to ensure field teams have reliable, state-of-the-art resources.
  • Participate in industry working groups and local one-call committees to share best practices, influence policy, and stay current with changes in legislation and standards.
  • Assist with budget forecasting and resource allocation for damage prevention initiatives, including training costs, equipment replacement, and contractor management.
  • Provide ad-hoc technical support for outage investigations and proactive maintenance planning driven by damage prevention insights.
  • Contribute to the company’s emergency preparedness plans by integrating damage prevention perspectives into incident response playbooks and drills.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep knowledge of 811/one-call systems, ticket management, and state-level one-call regulations and positive response requirements.
  • Proficiency with GIS platforms (ArcGIS, QGIS) and CAD tools for maintaining accurate OSP network maps and performing spatial analyses.
  • Hands-on experience with utility locating equipment, including electromagnetic locators, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and induction tools.
  • GPS/GNSS proficiency for capturing high-accuracy field coordinates and integrating field data into GIS systems.
  • Familiarity with vacuum excavation, potholing techniques, and contractor oversight to verify subsurface conditions safely.
  • Incident investigation and root cause analysis skills, including evidence collection, chain-of-custody awareness, and incident report writing.
  • Experience with damage prevention ticketing and asset management systems (e.g., Positive Response tools, custom OMS/TMS integrations).
  • Strong Microsoft Office and data reporting skills (Excel pivot tables, dashboards, PowerPoint executive summaries).
  • Understanding of pipeline, telecom, and electrical safety standards where OSP assets interface with other utilities.
  • Knowledge of Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Best Practices and experience implementing them within field operations.
  • Basic project management skills for coordinating multi-stakeholder projects and ensuring deliverables are completed on schedule.
  • Familiarity with regulatory reporting, compliance documentation, and interactions with public utility commissions or state one-call administrators.
  • Ability to interpret construction plans, civil drawings, and as-built documentation to identify risk to underground facilities.

Soft Skills

  • Clear, professional verbal and written communication for coordinating with contractors, municipal officials, internal stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
  • Strong attention to detail and discipline in documentation to support compliance, litigation, and continuous improvement.
  • Problem-solving mindset with ability to lead root cause investigations and implement pragmatic mitigations.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage contractor non-compliance and enforce safe excavation practices.
  • Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively across cross-functional teams.
  • Customer-service orientation when interfacing with excavators, homeowners, and municipal partners while safeguarding company assets.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance reactive incident work with proactive prevention initiatives.
  • Coaching and mentoring ability to develop junior team members and promote consistent field standards.
  • Adaptability to evolving regulatory requirements, new technology, and field conditions.
  • Analytical mindset to interpret KPI data and translate into actionable program improvements.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; vocational training or certification in utility locating, telecommunications, or construction safety preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil/Geographic/Telecommunications Engineering Technology, Safety Management, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Management
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Telecommunications or Network Engineering
  • Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3–7 years in utility locating, OSP construction, damage prevention, or related field roles.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of direct damage prevention experience including incident investigations and program ownership; experience with municipal permitting and regulatory compliance is highly desirable.
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