SUE Crew Lead

The SUE Crew Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and leading daily field operations for Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) investigations. This position oversees utility designation, locating, mapping, and data collection activities while ensuring work is performed safely, accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with project requirements and industry standards. The SUE Crew Lead serves as the primary field representative, providing leadership to field technicians, maintaining quality control, and ensuring the successful delivery of utility engineering projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Field Operations & Project Execution

• Lead and direct daily SUE field activities including utility designation, utility locating, and data collection.
• Interpret engineering plans, utility records, surveys, and project specifications.
• Perform and oversee the use of electromagnetic utility locating equipment, ground penetrating radar      (GPR), GPS units, and other utility investigation technologies.
• Verify, document, and mark underground utility locations in accordance with project requirements and industry standards.
• Coordinate field activities with project managers, survey crews, clients, utility owners, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure project schedules, production goals, and quality standards are achieved.
• Track field progress and communicate project updates, challenges, and recommendations to management.

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise and mentor SUE Technicians and Field Technicians.
• Assign daily work tasks and provide technical guidance to crew members.
• Conduct on-site training and promote professional development within the field team.
• Foster a positive, safety-focused team culture.
• Assist with performance evaluations and recommendations for advancement.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and enforce company safety policies and procedures.
• Conduct daily safety briefings and job hazard analyses.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, traffic control requirements, and client-specific safety standards.
• Monitor field operations to reduce risks and maintain a safe work environment.
• Report and document incidents, near misses, and safety concerns promptly.

Quality Assurance

• Review field data for completeness, accuracy, and consistency.
• Maintain documentation of utility findings, field sketches, photographs, GPS data, and project notes.
• Ensure deliverables meet company quality standards and client expectations.
• Identify discrepancies between field observations and utility records and communicate findings to project teams.

Equipment Management

• Operate and maintain utility locating and survey equipment.
• Ensure equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, and secured.
• Manage vehicle inspections and field inventory.
• Assist with equipment procurement recommendations and maintenance scheduling.

 Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 5 years of utility locating, SUE, surveying, or related field experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or crew leadership experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of underground utility systems including water, sewer, stormwater, gas, electric, fiber optic, and telecommunications infrastructure.
• Experience using utility locating equipment including electromagnetic locators and GPR systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans, utility maps, and construction drawings.
• Proficient with data collection technologies including GPS and electronic field documentation systems.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Utility Locator Certification.
• NULCA Locator Certification.
• OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour Certification.
• Experience working under ASCE 38   Utility Investigation Standards.
• Knowledge of survey practices and geospatial data collection.

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