Title: Cable Locator
Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824
Minimum Pay Rate: $48.95 per hour
Maximum Pay Rate: $53.70 per hour
Apply by Date: 04/14/2025
Posting Type: Open
The intent of this posting is to establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill current and future, regular full-time and limited-term job vacancies for the next 24 months.
Every day at SMUD, we deliver power to more than 1.5 million customers throughout the Sacramento area. As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, we have been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for over 75 years. We are a recognized industry leader and award winner for our innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for our sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. Through the efforts of the 2,400 people that power us, we work 24/7 to keep the lights on and provide our customers with innovative energy solutions. We’re one of the region’s largest employers, with a reputation for attracting, developing and retaining some of the most talented employees around.
Position Benefits:
- Strong safety culture
- Stability of crews
- Highly customized line trucks
- Service territory doesn't require out of town travel
- Opportunities for advancement
Employee Benefits:
- Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
- Retirement through Public Employees Retirement System
- 457 and 401(k) plans available
- Flexible Savings Account Short and Long Term Disability
- Employee and Spouse Life Insurance
Purpose
Under general supervision, a Cable Locator locates and identifies underground substructures for SMUD crews, private contractors, and customers prior to or during any digging or trenching to prevent damage to substructure facilities.
Nature and Scope
This is a journey-level job class requiring the use of plans, maps, and electronic locating equipment to locate, identify, and marks substructures belonging to SMUD for the purpose of preventing substructure damage. This class differs from the Fault Locator class in that the latter are qualified electrical workers who locates cable failures, splices high voltage and secondary cables and performs high voltage cable tests.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Use computer based and paper maps, civil plans, and records, examine site surface features and uses electronic locating devices to locate and identify substructures for the purpose of preventing damage to those underground facilities that may result from digging or trenching.
- Advises and directs others on the proper methods of digging in the proximity of high and low voltage electrical cables and other underground facilities, and on the proper use and type of equipment that may be used when digging around SMUD underground facilities.
- Testifies on behalf of SMUD in situations where a person or company denies liability for damaging underground substructures.
- Maintains clear and accurate records of work performed and advice given; processes and files all necessary forms and work requests.
- Inspects construction sites for possible damage to SMUD equipment and facilities; follows up work requests to see that no damage has occurred to SMUD facilities.
- Interprets and explains SMUD standards and procedures; makes daily contacts with contractors, other agencies, and the general public.
Required Education
High School diploma or equivalent
Required Experience Qualifications
Required Licenses/Certificates
Knowledge Of
Basic math principles including concepts of distance and measurements; basic electrical concepts; computer based and paper maps, charts, diagrams, and associated symbols.
Skills To
Read and interpret computer based and paper maps, blueprints, and procedural manuals; learn the use of electronic locating equipment; use judgment in determining cable and other substructure locations; deal tactfully with contractors and the general public; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; maintain clear and accurate electronic and written records; work independently and set own work priorities; advise and direct the work of others; interpret SMUD standards and procedures; work in a safe and effective manner; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Desirable Qualifications
- Two or more (2+) years of underground utility locating experience.
- General knowledge of underground utility/infrastructure installation, construction, and maintenance.
- Experience reading and interpreting GIS and electronic utility maps and records.
- General knowledge of and experience using 811 One Call ticket management software, including Common Ground Alliance (CGA) best practices and governing policy.
- Experience using radio detection and/or Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) underground utility locating equipment to mark and locate underground facilities.
Physical Requirements
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
On-site Work
This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.