OSP Utility Locator Technician - Merced, CA

Location: In-Field: Merced, CA. 

Location Status: Work will be primarily performed at a designated field worksite location based out of a central Race Communications worksite. Frequent travel to and work from other Race offices or other off-site locations will be required.

100% Company-Paid Medical and Dental Benefits

Free Fiber Internet Service

Comp:

Who We Are:

We're more than a fiber internet provider, we're your neighbors, committed to connecting California communities since 1994. At Race, relationships matter as much as speed. We combine cutting-edge technology with a genuine, people-first approach that makes every interaction feel personal. Our team operates like family: collaborative, supportive, and dedicated to making a real difference. When you join Race, you're not just accepting a job, you're becoming part of a team that values integrity, celebrates wins together and believes that meaningful work happens when great people connect with great purpose.

Position Impact:

As an OSP Utility Locator Technician, you'll be on the front lines of infrastructure protection, using advanced technology to detect and mark underground utilities before excavation begins. Your precision and expertise directly prevent costly damages, project delays, and service disruptions that impact entire communities.

Equipped with state-of-the-art locating equipment, you'll identify critical assets like fiber optic cables and other utility lines, creating accurate field maps that construction teams depend on. Every mark you make is a safeguard, protecting millions of dollars in infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for businesses and residents alike.

This role demands technical proficiency, sharp attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to safety protocols and industry standards. You'll collaborate with construction crews and project managers, working outdoors in dynamic environments where your decisions matter immediately and measurably.

Your work keeps the digital world running. When you accurately locate utilities, entire neighborhoods stay connected, emergency services remain operational, and critical business communications flow without interruption.

The impact is real. The responsibility is significant. The role is essential.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Eligibility for US Employment without sponsorship
• Minimum of 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred
• A valid driver's license, subject to successful verification through a DMV check
• Proficiency in Spanish Language a plus
• AutoCAD/Google Maps/KMZ experience preferred
• Utility Marking Experience preferred
• Maintains a dependable record of attendance, consistently punctual
• Ability to work nights and weekends, variable schedule(s), and overtime as needed
• The ability to effectively communicate in English, including speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension, as necessary for effective job performance and workplace communication

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Support and Coordination:

• Supports USA ticketing and Field Marketing per 811 guidelines

Utility Identification and Mapping:

• Interprets utility maps and prints, using tools such as KMZ and AutoCAD, to determine the natural and dimensions of underground utilities

Utility Location and Marking:

• Utilizes various electronic detection tools to accurately locate and mark underground facilities within specified precision boundaries
• Conducts minor excavations using a shovel when needed to uncover buried utilities
• Deploys a range of hand tools and equipment, including shovels, screwdrivers, wrenches, and ped keys, as required

Infrastructure Inspection:

• Conducts inspections of both aerial and underground fiber infrastructure as needed 

Vehicle Maintenance and Travel:

• Maintains vehicle/equipment pre-op/post-op to be prepared to perform required duties
• Maintains a clean driving record as defined by the current fleet insurance underwriter
• Spends a significant portion of the workday traveling in a vehicle visiting various locations and spending time both indoors and outdoors including businesses and/or residents depending on the nature of the job 
• May be required to work overtime, after hours, on weekends, for emergencies, or be on-call as needed to ensure work is completed

Safety Awareness and Compliance:

• Observes hazards and reports any concerns or accidents to a supervisor or safety professional; participates in the investigation process as needed
• Understands, completes, and signs off all pre-job safety planning tools at the start and end of the shift; completes all required safety-related paperwork
• Understands and responds appropriately to all safety hazards and warning devices (e.g., back-up alarms, smell of smoke, fumes, odors, different colored warning tags, warning sirens)
• Upholds a secure work environment by adhering to regulations, procedures, and company policies, ensuring safety standards are consistently maintained

As Part of Our Team, You Will Enjoy:

• Join a tight-knit crew—no faceless corporation vibes here
• Growth potential: promotions and new challenges are part of our DNA
• Competitive base
• 100% company-paid medical and dental insurance (starting the 1st of the month following your start date), PTO (vacation, sick), 11 paid holidays, paid birthdays, 401k matching (4%)
• Free fiber internet service for all employees living in our service area
• A culture built on integrity, mutual respect, and a shared purpose