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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Underground Technician

💰 $45,000 - $85,000

ConstructionUtilitiesTelecommunicationsField Services

🎯 Role Definition

An Underground Technician installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs subsurface utilities and infrastructure including fiber optics, electrical conduits, gas and water lines, ductbanks, and associated equipment. This field-facing role combines trenching and excavation, conduit and cable installation, fiber splicing and testing, utility locating, confined-space entry, and strict adherence to safety and regulatory requirements. The Underground Technician works with construction crews, engineers, and project managers to deliver reliable underground utility systems on time and on budget.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Construction Laborer with utility exposure
  • Apprentice Fiber/Cable Splicer or Entry-Level Utility Technician
  • Heavy Equipment Operator or General Field Technician

Advancement To:

  • Lead Underground Technician / Senior Field Technician
  • Underground / Utilities Supervisor or Site Foreman
  • Underground Project Manager or Construction Manager
  • Network Field Operations Manager (telecom/fiber)

Lateral Moves:

  • Fiber Optic Splicer
  • Power Lineman
  • Pipeline Operator / Maintenance Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute accurate trenching, excavation, and backfill operations for installation of underground utilities, following engineered plans, local codes, and best-practice trench safety (shoring/trench box use) to protect crew and public infrastructure.
  • Install conduit systems, vaults, manholes, duct banks, and related concrete work to specified tolerances and alignment; cut, bend, glue, and secure conduit runs for long-term durability and accessibility.
  • Pull, route, and secure copper, coaxial, and fiber optic cable through conduit, innerduct, and manholes; manage cable tension, bend radius, and labeling to minimize signal loss and mechanical damage.
  • Perform fiber optic fusion splicing, mechanical splicing, and termination on single-mode and multi-mode fiber using OTDRs, power meters, and fusion splicers; document splice counts and loss values per project standards.
  • Conduct cable and pipe locating using ground-penetrating radar, electromagnetic locators, and as-built drawings; coordinate with 811/Call-Before-You-Dig and private utility locators prior to excavation.
  • Operate and maintain excavation equipment, including mini-excavators, backhoes, skid steers, directional boring machines, and vacuum/hydro excavation units, ensuring safe operation and routine equipment checks.
  • Execute directional boring/horizontal directional drilling (HDD) tasks when required, including setup, pilot bore, reaming, and float-back operations according to bore profiles and depth tolerances.
  • Perform entry and work in confined spaces (vaults, manholes, trenches) using appropriate permit procedures, gas monitoring, ventilation, retrieval systems, and rescue preparedness per confined space regulations.
  • Install grounding and bonding systems for underground electrical ductbanks and service enclosures, verifying continuity and safety per electrical code requirements.
  • Test installed systems (OTDR, power meter, insulation resistance, pressure tests for water/gas pipelines) and perform commissioning checks to confirm operational performance and compliance with acceptance criteria.
  • Troubleshoot and repair underground faults and service interruptions, isolate segments, execute splices or repairs, and restore service while minimizing customer downtime and documenting root causes.
  • Conduct quality control inspections of installed utilities against design drawings and project specifications; report non-conformances and collaborate on corrective actions with project management.
  • Perform routine and emergency underground utility maintenance, including clearing blockages, replacing damaged conduit sections, cleaning and repairing handholes, and resealing enclosures to prevent water ingress.
  • Maintain accurate daily logs, time sheets, as-built records, splice maps, test reports, and permit documentation, using mobile devices or field software for real-time updates and archival.
  • Implement traffic control plans, set up signage, cones, and flagging for work zones, and coordinate temporary closures and pedestrian/vehicle detours to maintain public safety.
  • Adhere to all safety programs and company policies, participate in toolbox talks and safety meetings, report hazards and near misses, and enforce PPE and jobsite safety best practices.
  • Manage materials on site, including receiving, inventorying, staging conduit, cable, fittings, and concrete; verify counts against purchase orders and protect materials from damage and contamination.
  • Coordinate with subcontractors, municipal inspectors, surveyors, and utility company representatives to schedule handoffs, inspections, and tie-ins; escalate scheduling conflicts and resolution needs to project management.
  • Provide on-call response for emergency repairs, outage restoration, and urgent utility failures in adverse conditions, maintaining professionalism and rapid triage to restore critical services.
  • Train and mentor apprentices and new technicians on safe excavation practices, cable handling, splicing fundamentals, and company standards to develop a competent field team.
  • Apply environmental controls on site including erosion/sediment prevention, spill containment, and restoration of disturbed surfaces in compliance with local environmental regulations and project requirements.
  • Calibrate, inspect, and maintain hand and power tools, splicing equipment, locators, and test instruments to ensure job readiness and safety; schedule repairs and replacements as needed.
  • Support project estimating and planning by providing field input on installation durations, equipment needs, and potential site constraints to improve schedule accuracy and cost forecasting.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in preparing daily and weekly progress reports, labor and equipment utilization summaries, and materials reconciliation for project managers and clients.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by recommending process, tool, and technique changes that increase safety, quality, or productivity on underground projects.
  • Support permit application and liaison activities with municipalities and utilities to secure excavation, right-of-way, and traffic permits prior to construction start.
  • Serve as a point of contact for customer site access, on-site utility ownership questions, and homeowner/tenant coordination during residential or urban installations.
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), job aids, and training materials for underground operations.
  • Conduct post-installation walkdowns and client demonstrations, explaining system operation and maintenance requirements to owners and operators.
  • Assist procurement with vendor comparisons and passive materials selection based on field performance and availability to reduce lead times and costs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Trenching, excavation, and backfill best practices, including shoring, trench boxes, and soil classification awareness.
  • Underground conduit and ductbank installation, layout, concrete encasement, and manhole/manhole framing.
  • Fiber optic splicing (fusion and mechanical), termination, OTDR testing, power meter use, and splice report documentation.
  • Cable pulling techniques for fiber, copper, and coaxial; understanding of bend radius, tension monitoring, and lubricants.
  • Utility locating and marking with electromagnetic locators, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and coordination with 811/Call-Before-You-Dig systems.
  • Directional boring / HDD setup and operations; pilot bore, reaming, and product pipe pullback procedures.
  • Vacuum excavation (hydro-vac) operation and safety for non-destructive digging near sensitive utilities.
  • Confined space entry, atmospheric monitoring (gas detectors), ventilation, and rescue procedures.
  • Use and interpretation of construction drawings, blueprints, as-builts, and site survey data.
  • Operation of small-to-medium heavy equipment: excavators, backhoes, skid steers, and trenchers.
  • Field testing and commissioning tools: OTDR, power meters, insulation testers, pressure testers, and multimeters.
  • Traffic control setup and flagging certification; understanding of MUTCD and site signage requirements.
  • Grounding and bonding installation practices for underground electrical systems.
  • Preventive maintenance and basic mechanical troubleshooting for field equipment and power sources.
  • GPS/GIS data capture and digital recordkeeping for as-built and asset management systems.

Soft Skills

  • Strong safety-first mindset with demonstrated ability to enforce standards and coach teammates.
  • Clear verbal and written communication for cross-functional coordination and client interactions.
  • Problem-solving under pressure — diagnose faults, propose solutions, and implement repairs with limited downtime.
  • Attention to detail in splice documentation, test result logging, and compliance paperwork.
  • Time management and ability to prioritize multiple job tasks and emergency calls.
  • Teamwork and mentorship to train apprentices and support multi-discipline crews.
  • Adaptability to weather, site conditions, and shifting project schedules.
  • Customer service orientation when interacting with residents, facility staff, and stakeholders.
  • Physical stamina and dexterity for repetitive tasks, confined space work, and lifting heavy materials.
  • Professionalism and reliability for on-call rotations and after-hours emergency response.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; equivalent trade school coursework acceptable.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in electrical technology, telecommunications, construction technology, or utility trades.
  • Industry certifications such as FOA/CFOT (fiber), OSHA 10/30, Confined Space Entry, Flagging/Traffic Control, and CPR/First Aid.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Technology
  • Telecommunications / Fiber Optics
  • Civil or Construction Technology
  • Mechanical or Industrial Maintenance
  • Utility Operations / Pipeline Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years field experience in underground utilities, telecommunications, or construction trades. Entry-level candidates with strong vocational training or apprenticeship may be considered.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years installing and maintaining underground utilities (fiber, electrical, gas, or water).
  • Documented experience in fiber fusion splicing, OTDR testing, or conduit/ductbank construction.
  • Valid driver's license; Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) preferred for equipment towing and larger vehicles.
  • Certifications: OSHA 10 or 30, Confined Space Entry/Rescue, Traffic Control/Flagger, FOA/CFOT or equivalent fiber certification, HAZWOPER (if applicable).
  • Demonstrated history of safe operation of excavation and vacuum/hydro-excavation equipment.

If you need this tailored for a specific industry (telecommunications, electrical utilities, municipal water/gas, or civil construction) or formatted for an ATS job posting, I can refine responsibilities, skills, and certifications accordingly.

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