Pipeline Locator (Gas)

The preferred hiring range is $25.57 - $31.42 an hour ($53185.60 - $65353.60Annually).Starting offer is based on applicable education experience and internal equity. Future wage adjustments are subject to terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement between the City and the exclusive bargaining representative.This full-time non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday vacation and sick leave health insurance with employer contribution employer-paid life insurance gym membership reimbursement tuition assistance and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan:Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history years of service and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan:Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account which are invested and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year 67% after two years and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Locates and marks underground gas water and sanitary sewer pipelines with electronic locators in accordance with the State Damage Prevention Act and requirements of the State Corporation Commission.
• Coordinates with the Miss Utility VA811 program for updating responding and determining location of in-ground utility installations.
• Advises contractors of state damage prevention laws and safe digging practices regarding utility line locations.
• Meets and confers with appropriate department officials excavators developers and landowners concerning utility projects and pipeline locations.
• Assists in resolving schedule conflicts with the coverage of Miss Utility Code 70 tickets.
• Performs audits of underground utility locations and markings performed by contractors.
• Performs site visits to ensure excavators have valid utility location (VA811) ticket; reviews scope of work to confirm no conflicts with City infrastructure and if there are provides feedback to help eliminate conflict.
• Provides technical assistance to City contract locators on difficult to locate lines.
• Completes accurate documentation(s) of audits and other necessary reporting.
• Provide timely and effective communication to other departmental staff direct supervisor and departmental leadership when construction issues arise that could impact the services provided or could result in the unexpected disruption of service.
• Subject to being on Standby Call to work in weather or non-weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment tools and other resources including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

• May assist Public Works with snow removal operations as needed.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience:Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School diploma or GED AND at least 1 year experience in underground utility-line locating damage prevention laws and utility operation/maintenance.

• 3 or more years of experience underground utility-line locating damage prevention laws and utility operation/maintenance.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

• Must complete and maintain Operator Qualification (OQ) testing as required by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Drivers License and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Must obtain and maintain all certifications required by applicable federal state and local regulations
• Subject to federal DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check pre-employment drug screen and pre-employment physical.

• General knowledge of modern methods and techniques for the installation and construction of municipal natural gas systems water systems and wastewater systems.
• Basic knowledge of contract administration and project management.
• General knowledge of the operation and maintenance manuals of each division and applicable Federal State and local laws and regulations.
• General knowledge of health and environmental rules regulations and laws.
• General knowledge of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations.
• Knowledge of Virginia damage prevention laws and regulations.

• Basic: ability to understand the meaning of commonly used multi-syllable words and simple paragraphs. Comprehends simple written instructions signs and notices. Ability to read and comprehend utility location tickets site plans and constructions drawings.

• Basic: ability to write simple letters paragraphs and sentences containing subject verb and object and/or series of numbers names and addresses.

• Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas practical application of fractions percentages ratios/proportions and measurement.

• Basic: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers other city staff city officials contractors homeowners and the public. Communicate and provide basic information to others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies both orally and in writing. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Ability to work independently engage in problem solving exercise sound judgment and implement collaborative decision-making. Performance is reviewed frequently.

• Skilled: comprehensive practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Skilled in use of electronic pipeline locating equipment. Ability to use computers and software including but not limited to: Microsoft Office Office Audit App and ESRI ArcGIS.

• No fiscal/budgetary responsibilities.

• No supervisory responsibilities.

• Time pressures.
• Must exercise good judgment in responding to unique situations.
• May require additional hours outside normal schedule such as for emergencies.
• Demonstrates patience and professionalism when assisting frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects.
• Requires near constant standing and moving about including balancing kneeling crouching stooping reaching lifting grasping and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer) while using a computer and while performing duties in the field.

• Typically requires use of electronic location tools and other equipment used in performance of duties as well as standard office equipment and telephone and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

• Work is performed in an outside environment with exposure to weather conditions and temperatures inadequate lighting uneven terrain gases/fumes dusts and pollen animals/wildlife vibrations near moving mechanical parts and in or around roadways.
• The noise level may be very loud.
• Expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat safety vest steel-toe shoes etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color creed religion national origin ancestry citizenship status age sex or gender (including pregnancy childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions) gender identity or expression (including transgender status) sexual orientation marital status military service and veteran status physical or mental disability genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment hiring placement promotion transfer training compensation benefits employee activities access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at or .

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks reference checks and pre-employment drug tests in accordance with federal state and local law of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection Citys policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the Citys policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.