Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Laborer

🎯 Role Definition

The Utility Laborer is a hands-on field position responsible for assisting with installation, maintenance, repair, and emergency response related to water, sewer, stormwater, gas, electric, and telecommunications infrastructure. This role performs trenching and backfilling, shoring, pipe laying, traffic control, site cleanup, and equipment support while following safety protocols and company policies. Ideal candidates demonstrate physical stamina, safety-first mindset, basic heavy-equipment familiarity, and the ability to follow detailed work orders and field drawings. This profile is optimized for ATS searches, recruiters, and machine-readability by including common job keywords (utility laborer, excavation, trenching, pipe installation, traffic control, confined space, shoring).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Laborer
Groundskeeper / Maintenance Worker
Construction Helper or Apprentice

Advancement To:

Skilled Utility Technician
Heavy Equipment Operator (backhoe, excavator)
Crew Lead / Foreman
Utility Technician II / Maintenance Technician

Lateral Moves:

Stormwater Technician
Wastewater Collections Worker
Road/Highway Maintenance Worker

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform safe and efficient trench excavation and shoring for installation and repair of water, sewer, gas, and stormwater pipelines, following shoring plans and OSHA trenching requirements.
Assist in the installation, alignment, jointing, and testing of PVC, ductile iron, HDPE, and other utility pipes, ensuring proper bedding, slope, and connections as shown on plans.
Backfill, compact, and restore trenches and excavations using hand tools and light compaction equipment to achieve specified densities and surface restorations (asphalt, gravel, sod).
Operate and support use of hand and powered tools (jackhammers, tampers, saws, grinders, pneumatic tools) to cut, shape, and finish materials safely and accurately.
Set up, maintain, and demobilize traffic control measures including cones, barricades, signage, and flagging per MUTCD or local traffic control standards to protect crews and the public.
Perform routine installation and maintenance of utility appurtenances — valves, manholes, catch basins, service taps, cleanouts — including assembly, sealing, and testing.
Participate in confined space entry activities as entrant or attendant after completing required training, following permit procedures and monitoring protocols.
Assist with emergency repairs for water main breaks, sewer stoppages, or storm damage, including isolating services, bypass pumping, and temporary restorations.
Dig and expose existing utilities for location, repair, or tie-in work while adhering to safe digging practices and mark-outs (811/Call-Before-You-Dig procedures).
Load and unload materials, tools, and equipment from trucks and trailers; secure materials for transport and maintain clean, organized staging areas.
Perform erosion and sediment control installations and maintenance (silt fence, straw wattles, inlet filters) to protect water quality at construction sites.
Install and maintain temporary bypasses and pumping systems for dewatering excavations and maintaining service during repairs.
Assist skilled tradespeople (pipefitters, welders, operators) by holding lines, cutting pipe, prepping joints, and cleaning weld areas as directed.
Complete jobsite documentation and daily logs: hours, materials used, equipment inspections, safety observations, and work progress for supervisor review.
Conduct pre- and post-shift inspections of tools and assigned equipment, report defects, and perform basic preventive maintenance (lubrication, fluid checks).
Follow lockout-tagout and other energy control procedures when working near live systems, ensuring isolation and testing before performing work.
Read and interpret basic blueprints, stakeout points, and grade stakes to perform work to specified elevations and alignments.
Monitor jobsite safety, participate in toolbox talks, and immediately report hazards, near-misses, or incidents to supervisors.
Maintain excellent customer service and communication when interacting with homeowners, business owners, and the public during utility operations.
Comply with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements including PPE use, air monitoring, spill prevention, and waste disposal procedures.
Assist with pavement saw-cutting and patching operations, including cold patch or hot mix placement and final compaction to restore roadways.
Coordinate with traffic control, local authorities, and utility owners to schedule outages, service interruptions, and emergency responses.
Support installation of telecommunications conduit, fiber pull boxes, and underground vaults including conduit coupling and testing as directed.
Ensure adherence to company quality control standards by performing visual and measurable checks on completed assemblies and backfill zones.

Secondary Functions

Help maintain inventory control by tracking consumables and reporting low-stock items to supervisors.
Participate in cross-training on equipment operation (mini-excavator, skid steer, telehandler) and specialized utility tasks to broaden crew capability.
Support environmental compliance by documenting erosion control measures and completing spill/incident reports when required.
Assist in onboarding and mentoring new laborers by demonstrating standard site procedures, safety expectations, and equipment use.
Provide seasonal support for ancillary public works tasks such as snow removal, roadside clearing, and storm response as directed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Trenching, shoring, and excavation techniques compliant with OSHA standards and local regulations.
Pipe installation and jointing for water, sewer, stormwater, and conduit systems (PVC, DI, HDPE).
Backfill, compaction methods, and use of plate compactors and jumping jacks to meet compaction specs.
Traffic control setup and flagging per MUTCD / local traffic ordinances.
Utility locating and mark-out procedures; familiarity with 811 damage prevention process.
Confined space entry procedures, permits, and use of gas monitors.
Dewatering, bypass pumping, and temporary pumping system setup.
Basic heavy equipment support and operation familiarity (skid steer, mini-excavator, backhoe) — endorsements/endorsement on resume preferred.
Use of hand and power tools: saws, grinders, impact wrenches, pneumatic breakers, and basic welding support tasks.
Blueprint reading, grade/stake interpretation, and measuring tools (levels, tape measures, lasers).
Soil handling, erosion control installation, and stormwater pollution prevention techniques.
Basic equipment inspection, preventive maintenance, and safety checks.
PPE standards and safety compliance, including LOTO and respiratory/air monitoring basics.
Pipe testing and disinfection procedures (pressure testing, chlorination methods) where applicable.
Familiarity with municipal permitting and work zone notification processes.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and a safety-first attitude on active worksites.
Physical stamina and ability to perform manual labor in varying weather and environmental conditions.
Clear verbal communication with crew members, supervisors, and the public.
Dependability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic with willingness for overtime and emergency call-outs.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions precisely and document work accurately.
Team player mentality; able to work under supervision and support peer crews.
Problem-solving mindset to adapt to unforeseen field conditions and changing priorities.
Time management and organization for multi-tasking across sites and tasks.
Customer-service orientation when working in public-facing situations.
Continuous learning attitude — willingness to complete certifications and cross-train.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate, technical school coursework, or relevant apprenticeship modules (construction, utilities, heavy equipment).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction Technology
Civil Engineering Technology
Heavy Equipment Operation / Diesel Mechanics
Environmental Science / Water & Wastewater Technology
Occupational Safety and Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–5 years (entry-level to semi-skilled). Many positions accept minimal prior utility experience if candidate demonstrates physical ability and willingness to train.
Prefer 1–3 years of construction or utility labor experience for mid-level roles.

Preferred:

2+ years of direct utility construction or municipal public works experience.
Certifications such as OSHA-10 or OSHA-30, Confined Space Entry, First Aid/CPR, and a valid driver's license; CDL Class B preferred for roles that require driving crew trucks.
Demonstrated experience with trenching/shoring, traffic control flagging, and pipe installation.