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utility crew member

title: Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Crew Member
salary: $33,000 - $52,000
categories: [Utilities, Construction, Field Operations, Maintenance]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a Utility Crew Member.
Comprehensive, recruiter-style summary of the Utility Crew Member role: responsibilities, required hard and soft skills, career progression, education and experience. Ideal for job postings, SEO, and applicant tracking systems — covers line work, trenching, excavation, traffic control, equipment operation, safety compliance, and emergency response.

🎯 Role Definition

The Utility Crew Member performs hands-on field work to install, maintain, repair, and restore municipal and private utility infrastructure (water, sewer, gas, electric, storm drain and related assets). This role executes assigned tasks under the direction of a crew leader or foreman, operates light and medium equipment, follows strict safety and regulatory procedures, communicates with residents and contractors on-site, and contributes to timely project completion. Ideal candidates demonstrate physical stamina, safety-first mindset, technical aptitude for tools and equipment, and reliability for shift and emergency response assignments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • General Laborer or Construction Laborer
  • Groundskeeper / Landscaping Laborer
  • Utility Apprentice / Trade School Graduate

Advancement To:

  • Utility Crew Leader / Lead Hand
  • Heavy Equipment Operator / Backhoe Operator
  • Utility Technician / Line Technician
  • Foreman or Field Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Water or Wastewater Treatment Operator
  • Gas Service Technician
  • Traffic Control Supervisor
  • Electrical Distribution Apprentice

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform daily hand and power tool tasks to install, repair and maintain utility lines (water, sewer, gas, storm drains, and conduits) including measuring, cutting, fitting, connecting piping and conduit per project plans and supervisor instructions.
  • Dig, trench, and backfill using shovels, trenchers, and compactors, ensuring proper slope, shoring or protective systems are used to meet OSHA trench safety requirements and prevent cave-ins.
  • Operate and assist with medium equipment such as excavators, backhoes, skid steers, trenchers and loaders to perform excavation, grading, and material handling tasks safely and efficiently.
  • Assist qualified personnel with utility line tie-ins, valve replacements, meter installations, hydrant maintenance, and service line reconnections ensuring leak-free seals and correct torque specifications.
  • Perform traffic control and flagging duties to protect crews and the public, set up and maintain cones, signs, barriers and temporary detours per MUTCD/agency standards.
  • Conduct vacuum excavation or potholing operations to expose and protect existing underground utilities prior to directional drilling or excavation activities.
  • Respond to emergency service calls for outages, breaks, sewer backups, water main breaks and storm damage on a rotating schedule, working nights, weekends and holidays when required.
  • Perform site restoration including backfilling, compaction, temporary paving, permanent asphalt or concrete repairs, sod, seeding and cleanup to restore customer properties and public rights-of-way.
  • Assist in stringing, pulling and securing cable, conduit and wire on utility poles and in trenches under the supervision of a qualified lineman or technician.
  • Read and interpret basic construction drawings, site plans, utility maps and stakeout instructions to verify work locations and ensure correct alignment and depth of utilities.
  • Perform isolation, lockout/tagout and confined space entry attendant or entrant tasks following established procedures when working in manholes, vaults and tanks, including air monitoring where required.
  • Inspect tools, equipment and PPE at the start and end of each shift, report defects or safety hazards, and perform routine maintenance to keep gear in serviceable condition.
  • Load and unload materials, fittings, valves and equipment from trucks and trailers, inventory supplies on-site and transport materials between job locations as needed.
  • Assist with locating underground utilities using electronic locators, detection equipment and paint/flags to mark existing services prior to excavation.
  • Execute erosion and sediment control measures and environmental protections on-site, including silt fence, check dams and BMPs to prevent runoff and protect watercourses.
  • Follow written work orders, time sheets and job documentation procedures, capture accurate as-built notes and communicate completion status to supervisors.
  • Communicate professionally with residents, business owners and contractors on-site to provide updates, gather site access information and minimize disruption.
  • Follow company and regulatory safety programs including PPE usage, hazard recognition, tailgate safety briefings and incident reporting to maintain a zero-harm work environment.
  • Assist skilled tradespeople (plumbers, welders, electricians) by holding and positioning materials, preparing weld joints, and supporting installations until work is complete.
  • Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of utility infrastructure such as flushing hydrants, exercising valves, greasing fittings and clearing debris from catch basins and inlets.
  • Participate in pre-job planning, toolbox talks and site hazard assessments, offering practical feedback on sequence of work, required materials and potential risks.
  • Maintain physical readiness for demanding tasks, lift heavy loads, climb ladders and work in confined, wet, hot or cold conditions for extended periods.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain inventory of consumables and small tools, report shortages and submit requests for replenishment to ensure continuous crew productivity.
  • Support permit preparation and compliance tasks by collecting jobsite photos, GPS coordinates and documentation required for municipal inspections and billing.
  • Assist with basic preventative maintenance on trucks and equipment (fluid checks, tire pressure, cleaning), and coordinate service with mechanics when defects are identified.
  • Participate in cross-training initiatives to build multi-trade capability across water, sewer, gas and electric crews.
  • Help train new hires and apprentices on safe digging practices, tool operation and proper material handling under the guidance of crew leads.
  • Provide seasonal support for stormwater management and debris removal after weather events and coordinated emergency response efforts.
  • Complete daily logs and maintenance records in paper or mobile field-reporting systems, ensuring accurate timekeeping and work history for each assignment.
  • Support quality assurance inspections by rechecking installed components, alignment and testing service connections before handover.
  • Assist public relations by responding courteously to customer inquiries on site and escalating complaints or technical issues through the proper channels.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by suggesting process changes, tool upgrades and workflow efficiencies based on field observations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient operation of hand and power tools commonly used in utilities: shovels, jackhammers, saws, pneumatic tools, grinders and vibratory compactors.
  • Experience operating medium construction equipment: excavators, backhoes, skid steers, trenchers, loaders and dump trucks.
  • Knowledge of trenching and shoring systems, soil classifications and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P requirements for excavation safety.
  • Ability to read and interpret basic construction drawings, utility plans, staking sheets and as-built documentation.
  • Competent in basic mechanical tasks: installing fittings, torquing bolts, cutting and joining pipe (PVC, HDPE, ductile iron) and making service connections.
  • Utility locating skills and use of detection equipment (electromagnetic locators, GPR familiarity a plus) to identify underground utilities safely.
  • Traffic control, flagging and temporary signing knowledge with applicable certifications (e.g., Flagger Certification) for safe work zone setup.
  • Confined space awareness and ability to serve as entrant or attendant when certified in confined space programs (air monitoring, retrieval).
  • Basic electrical awareness for working near energized lines, cable routing, grounding practices and use of insulated tools per utility guidelines.
  • Comfortable completing safety documentation, daily reports and digital field entries using mobile apps or tablets.
  • CDL Class B (or ability to obtain) and experience backing trailers, securing loads and adhering to DOT regulations preferred.
  • First Aid/CPR certification and understanding of emergency response protocols for on-site incidents.

Soft Skills

  • Strong safety mindset with attention to detail and the discipline to follow established procedures and PPE requirements.
  • Reliable time management and punctuality to meet shift schedules, call-outs and emergency response expectations.
  • Effective verbal communication to coordinate with crew members, supervisors, contractors and the public.
  • Team-oriented attitude with willingness to perform physically demanding tasks and support co-workers.
  • Problem-solving capability to identify simple field issues, escalate appropriately and propose practical workarounds.
  • Adaptability to changing weather, site conditions and shifting priorities during construction and repair work.
  • Initiative to maintain tools and identify opportunities for process or equipment improvements.
  • Professional customer service when interacting with residents and businesses on site.
  • Stamina and physical resilience to perform repetitive lifting, kneeling, climbing and working in confined spaces.
  • Dependability and accountability for completing assignments and following safety and quality standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate, trade school credential or technical coursework in construction, utilities, heavy equipment operation or related fields.
  • Completion of a utility apprenticeship program or technical training in piping, welding or electrical distribution.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Technology
  • Civil or Environmental Technology
  • Electrical Distribution or Line Work
  • Heavy Equipment Operation
  • Plumbing / Water & Wastewater Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years for entry-level Utility Crew Member roles; 1–5 years preferred for intermediate postings.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of utility, municipal, or heavy civil construction experience working on water, sewer, gas or electric crews.
  • Experience with excavation, trenching, backfill/compaction, and restoration.
  • Certifications and training such as flagger, confined space, first aid/CPR, OSHA 10/30, and a valid CDL are advantageous.

If you need this adapted into a short job posting, applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly description, or translated into a skills checklist for interviews, I can generate those formats next.

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