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Locating Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Field Geophysicist

Ashburn, VA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform non-invasive geophysical surveys from the ground surface to aid in locating underground utilities. Define survey objectives, design survey approaches, analyze the resulting geophysical data ...

Utility Locator

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Learn utility locating techniques, safety protocols and how to operate equipment * Develop an understanding of local utility infrastructure and regulations * Partner with experienced Locators to mark ...

Locate Technician

Fredericksburg, VA · On-site

$37K - $48K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Locating technician will be dispatched to locate and verify for utility customer. Technician can work independently or in a team environment, in both circumstances' technician will work under ...

Locate Technician

Fredericksburg, VA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Locating technician will be dispatched to locate and verify for utility customer. Technician can work independently or in a team environment, in both circumstances' technician will work under ...

Lead Locate Technician

Richmond, VA · On-site

$43K - $56K/yr

Maintain expert-level knowledge of maps, SLD/FB data, and locating tools. * Troubleshoot complex locate issues and support damage investigations. * Identify recurring problems and recommend long-term ...

Locate Technician

Lexington, VA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Locating technician will be dispatched to locate and verify for utility customer. Technician can work independently or in a team environment, in both circumstances' technician will work under ...

Locate Technician

Lexington, VA · On-site

$33K - $43K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Locating technician will be dispatched to locate and verify for utility customer. Technician can work independently or in a team environment, in both circumstances' technician will work under ...

Showing results 21-40

Locating information

See Virginia salary details

$13

$18

$26

How much do locating jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for locating in Virginia is $18.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $19.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by utility locators in the field, and how can they be managed?

Utility locators often encounter challenges such as unclear or outdated utility maps, working in adverse weather conditions, and dealing with high-traffic or construction-heavy areas. To manage these obstacles, effective communication with team members and other contractors is crucial, as is staying up-to-date with the latest locating technologies and safety protocols. Building strong problem-solving skills and maintaining attention to detail help locators accurately mark utilities, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring project timelines stay on track.

What is a locating job?

A locating job involves finding and marking underground utilities, pipes, or cables to prevent damage during construction or excavation. Workers often use specialized tools like ground-penetrating radar and must follow safety protocols and industry standards. It requires attention to detail and knowledge of mapping and surveying techniques.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a utility locator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Utility Locator, you need a solid understanding of utility mapping, underground infrastructure, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with electromagnetic locating equipment, GIS mapping systems, and utility detection tools is typically required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this role. These skills ensure accurate identification of utilities, prevent costly damages, and promote safety on construction sites.

What does a locating technician do?

A locating technician, often referred to simply as a 'locator,' is responsible for identifying and marking the locations of underground utilities such as water, gas, electrical, and telecommunications lines before excavation work begins. Using specialized equipment and maps, they ensure that construction and digging projects do not damage critical infrastructure. This job helps prevent service disruptions, costly repairs, and enhances public safety by reducing the risk of accidents related to underground utilities.
Infographic showing various Locating job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 62% Full Time, and 37% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,990 per year, or $18.3 per hour.

Code Enforcement Inspector - Damage Prevention

GovernmentJobs.com

Richmond, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Code Enforcement Inspector - Damage Prevention

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is seeking qualified candidates to fill Code Enforcement Inspector - Damage Prevention position. The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring preventative measures are being taken to avoid utility damage by excavators and homeowners in compliance with the Virginia Underground Damage Prevention Act. This is expected to be accomplished by being a proactive presence at planned third party excavation jobsites. Tasks may include: Inspecting excavator worksites working around or near RGW facilities; Reporting "as found" conditions at each site; Conveying damage prevention requirements of Virginia State Laws tactfully, but firmly, at each site; Doing complete and thorough investigations at each "Hit Line" incident; Reproducing locating events using available technology, documents, & mapping; Preparing complete and accurate reports of each investigation; Providing a public outreach service by attending community events and such to promote the VA811 "call before you dig" awareness.

Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Monitor facility locating in advance of excavation to prevent or minimize damage.
  • Inspect excavator sites who are working around or near RGW facilities.
  • Convey damage prevention requirements to excavators and report as found conditions.
  • Perform damage investigations including reproducing locator events when required.
  • Complete accurate daily reports of worksites visited including messages distributed to each excavator.
  • Performs administrative and other work as assigned at the local or work-unit level such as investigating "cannot locate" requests from locating contractors or participating in work-related training, classes, or seminars.

Qualifications, special certifications and licenses:

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

  • High School Diploma or G.E.D.
  • Five years of experience in underground utility locating.
  • An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Valid Driver's License with satisfactory driving record and a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of hire.
  • Must be OQ qualified to locate underground utilities before working unsupervised - Federal Law requires the qualification for locating underground gas facilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge:

  • Standard work-unit specific tools/equipment used for construction.
  • Underground locating equipment, metal detectors, etc.
  • City policies/procedures, Virginia codes and ordinances
  • OSHA Health and Safety Codes
  • Plumbing/Gas installation
  • Construction scheduling, practices, and methods

Skills:

  • Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite
  • Customer service
  • Oral and written communication
  • Interpersonal communication

Abilities:

  • Carry out oral and written instructions
  • Manage time
  • Organize
  • Prioritize
  • Problem solve
  • Exhibit initiative and enterprise
  • Exercise independent and sound judgment, discretion, and initiative in interpreting and applying established procedures, guidelines, and rules
  • Manage situations requiring fairness and firmness
  • Interpret and apply state codes and regulations
  • Define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, office personnel, owners, developers, contractors, laborers, and the general public

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required balance, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach extending arms and hands in any direction, stand, walk, feel, talk, see, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to push, pull, grasp lift, finger (pick, pinch, type or otherwise work primarily with fingers), feel (perceiving attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature or texture) and use repetitive motion of the wrists, hands and fingers. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at HR-ADA@rva.gov.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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