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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Crew Chief

💰 $60,000 - $90,000

operationsutilitiesconstructionfield-operations

🎯 Role Definition

The Utility Crew Chief is an experienced field leader responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of utility construction and maintenance crews. This role combines hands-on technical work (overhead and underground distribution, excavation, splicing, metering, restoration), crew supervision, safety and compliance enforcement, resource and equipment management, customer liaison duties, and active participation in emergency response and storm restoration. The ideal candidate is a safety-first leader with proven ability to plan, prioritize, and deliver complex field assignments while coaching and developing technicians.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Journeyman Lineman / Electrician with crew lead experience
  • Lead Utility Technician or Senior Field Technician
  • Construction Foreman or Senior Equipment Operator

Advancement To:

  • Construction Superintendent
  • Operations Manager / Field Operations Supervisor
  • Program or Project Manager (utility construction/maintenance)

Lateral Moves:

  • Safety Supervisor / Safety Trainer (utility-focused)
  • Dispatcher / Construction Planner
  • Quality Control / Inspection Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead, supervise and coordinate a multi-disciplinary utility crew (linemen, equipment operators, splicers, locators, and laborers) to execute overhead and underground distribution construction, maintenance, and emergency restoration work safely and efficiently.
  • Plan daily and weekly work assignments based on project scopes, work orders, crew skill sets, available materials, and equipment to maximize productivity and meet customer and company deadlines.
  • Enforce and model safe work practices in the field, ensuring full compliance with OSHA, DOT, company safety policies, NFPA 70E, and confined space entry procedures; conduct tailboards, toolbox talks, and on-the-job hazard assessments before each shift.
  • Coordinate and oversee traffic control and public safety measures around work sites, including permit requirements, signage, flagging, lane closures, and coordination with local authorities when required.
  • Perform technical field tasks as needed, including pole setting, transformer installation, conductor stringing, splicing and termination, cable pulling, vault and trench work, meter changeouts, and equipment rigging and setting.
  • Manage on-site excavation and backfill operations, ensuring correct bedding, compaction, erosion control, and adherence to location marks from utility locators and one-call systems.
  • Inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot field equipment and tools (bucket trucks, digger derricks, backhoes, excavators, trenchers, compressors, and testing tools); report equipment defects and coordinate repairs or replacements to minimize downtime.
  • Assign, train, mentor, and evaluate crew members; identify skill gaps and coordinate training, certifications, or cross-training opportunities to build a safe, capable workforce.
  • Review job plans, blueprints, staking sheets, and specifications, and verify material take-offs to ensure crews have correct components, hardware, and quantities before mobilization.
  • Manage materials, parts, and consumable inventory for assigned crews; order or requisition supplies proactively, track usage, and reduce waste while ensuring job continuity.
  • Supervise quality control on all work performed, conduct post-job inspections, and ensure restoration and cleanup meet contract, municipal, and customer standards.
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation: daily logs, time sheets, work orders, permits, safety incident reports, equipment inspection records, and crew certifications in digital and paper systems.
  • Communicate proactively with project managers, schedulers, engineers, customers, and municipal agencies regarding work status, delays, resource needs, and safety incidents to ensure alignment and transparency.
  • Ensure all required permits, easements, and right-of-way authorizations are in place and that work complies with environmental and regulatory requirements, including stormwater and erosion control.
  • Lead emergency response and storm restoration crews, organizing rapid mobilization, staging, reallocation of resources, and sustained multi-shift operations to restore service with urgency and safety.
  • Implement and enforce lockout/tagout and de-energization procedures when performing live-line work or switching operations; coordinate with system operators for outages and switching plans.
  • Conduct pre-job and post-job risk assessments, document corrective actions, and follow up on close calls or near misses to continuously improve safety outcomes.
  • Interface with customers and property owners on-site to explain planned work, scope, expected impacts, and restoration commitments; manage complaints and expectations professionally.
  • Mentor and coach employees on career development, promote workforce diversity and inclusion, and support succession planning by identifying future leaders within the crew.
  • Monitor project costs, crew labor hours, equipment usage, and material expenditures on assigned jobs; report variances to supervision and suggest cost-saving or efficiency improvements.
  • Coordinate contractor and subcontractor activity on site, establish quality and safety expectations, and ensure contract deliverables align with company standards and schedules.
  • Use field software, mobile apps, and GIS mapping tools to update job status, capture photos, and submit field reports; ensure data accuracy for billing and compliance.
  • Participate in pre-construction meetings, job briefings, and site surveys with engineers and stakeholders to confirm constructability, identify risks, and refine work plans.
  • Maintain environmental stewardship by ensuring proper disposal of waste materials, avoidance of sensitive areas, and compliance with spill-response protocols.

Secondary Functions

  • Support scheduling and dispatch teams by providing realistic crew availability, estimated completion times, and skill-level constraints to optimize route and resource planning.
  • Assist in developing standard operating procedures, job aids, and field checklists that codify best practices and support consistent execution across crews.
  • Participate in incident investigations to identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions across crews.
  • Support procurement and inventory teams by providing feedback on part alternatives, frequently used items, and consumable consumption trends.
  • Serve as a subject-matter resource for training content development, apprenticeships, and certification pathways within the company.
  • Provide input to continuous improvement initiatives and Kaizen events that target field efficiency, safety performance, and customer satisfaction.
  • Assist in evaluating new tools, equipment, and technologies (e.g., fault locators, handheld meters, fiber splicing gear) for field adoption and productivity gains.
  • Represent the field workforce in labor-management meetings and support grievance resolution by providing factual field observations and documentation.
  • Support community outreach and customer education programs when requested (e.g., safety demonstrations, outage communications).
  • Maintain readiness for after-hours on-call rotations and participate in planned overtime or extended operations during major outages or capital projects.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proven expertise in overhead and underground utility construction and maintenance, including pole setting, transformer work, conductor installation and splicing, cable pulling, and vault/manhole operations.
  • Proficient in operating and supervising the safe use of heavy equipment: bucket trucks, digger derricks, backhoes, excavators, trenchers, and skid steers.
  • Strong knowledge of utility safety regulations and standards (OSHA, DOT, NFPA 70E) and demonstrated ability to enforce PPE, fall protection, and energized-work protocols.
  • Experience with traffic control planning and implementation, including flagging procedures, signage, temporary lane closures, and municipal permitting.
  • Familiarity with utility locates, one-call systems (811), and utility conflict resolution to prevent hits and service interruptions.
  • Competency with electrical testing and metering equipment, phasing tools, multimeters, megohmmeters, and grounding/earthing verification.
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints, staking sheets, single-line diagrams, and as-built drawings to ensure accurate field execution.
  • Experience using field software, mobile workforce management apps, GIS mapping, and digital timekeeping for accurate reporting and documentation.
  • Knowledge of environmental compliance requirements for excavation, spill response, and restoration, including erosion control best practices.
  • Skilled in conducting job risk assessments, lockout/tagout procedures, confined space entry protocols, and rescue planning.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and people-management skills with ability to motivate, coach, and hold crew members accountable while maintaining a positive safety culture.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with internal teams, contractors, municipal authorities, and customers.
  • Problem-solving mindset with ability to make quick, safe operational decisions under pressure during outages or emergency response.
  • Organizational skills and attention to detail to manage multiple jobs, materials, and documentation simultaneously.
  • Time management and planning ability to optimize crew productivity and meet project timelines.
  • Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills to handle on-site disputes, customer concerns, and performance feedback.
  • Adaptability and resilience to manage variable weather conditions, extended shifts, and rapidly changing operational priorities.
  • Coaching and mentoring orientation to support apprenticeship development and individual career growth.
  • Data-driven mindset to use field metrics and reports to improve crew performance and safety outcomes.
  • Collaborative team player who works effectively with project managers, schedulers, engineers, and procurement teams.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; vocational training or relevant trade school coursework preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical certification in electrical technology, construction management, or utility operations.
  • Leadership or supervisory training certificates (e.g., crew leader, foreman training).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Technology
  • Construction or Civil Technology
  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Utility Engineering/Distribution Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–12 years of combined utility field experience, with a minimum of 2–4 years in a supervisory or lead role.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience as a foreman, crew chief, or lead lineman on distribution or utility construction projects.
  • Prior storm-response and emergency restoration leadership experience.
  • Certifications and training such as CPR/First Aid, flagging, confined space rescue, NFPA 70E, or utility-specific competency programs are highly desirable.
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