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Underground Contractor Jobs in Spring Valley, CA

Contract Specialist/Inspector

Poway, CA · On-site

$82K - $99K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Performs, or ensures that contractor performs, underground "dig alert" mark-outs for all City maintained conduit that is not marked out by the City's Water division, including street lights, traffic ...

Construction Laborer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... underground fiber optic cable in an outdoor environment 5. Occasional travel required (Per Diem ... federal contracting requirements 6. Working on or near expensive equipment and materials 7. ...

Construction Inspector

San Diego, CA · On-site

$135K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... gutter, sidewalk, underground utilities, earthwork, etc. Must have five years of applicable ... Coordinate with clients/owners, other consultants, contractors, materials testers and others ...

Construction Inspector

San Diego, CA · On-site

$135K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... gutter, sidewalk, underground utilities, earthwork, etc. Must have five years of applicable ... Coordinate with clients/owners, other consultants, contractors, materials testers and others ...

Be Seen First

Utility Service Planner I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$32 - $40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... overhead/underground and Gas small commercial and residential projects * Duties include ... Attend field visits with customers, contractors, construction teams, client representatives and ...

Showing results 41-60

Underground Contractor information

See Spring Valley, CA salary details

$17

$25

$43

How much do underground contractor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for underground contractor in Spring Valley, CA is $25.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.15 and $28.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an underground contractor?

Underground contractors are specialized construction professionals who install, repair, and maintain infrastructure systems below ground level. This includes utilities such as water and sewer lines, storm drains, electrical conduits, and telecommunications cables. They are responsible for tasks like trenching, pipe laying, and ensuring projects comply with safety and regulatory standards. Underground contractors often work with municipalities, utility companies, and private developers to ensure essential services are safely and efficiently delivered to homes and businesses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an underground contractor?

To thrive as an Underground Contractor, you need strong knowledge of excavation, utility installation, and safety regulations, often supported by relevant licenses or certifications in construction or heavy equipment operation. Familiarity with tools such as trenchers, backhoes, pipe lasers, and project management software is essential. Problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are important soft skills for coordinating crews and managing unexpected site challenges. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with industry standards.

What are some common challenges faced by underground contractors on construction projects?

Underground contractors often encounter challenges such as unexpected subsurface conditions, utility conflicts, and coordinating with other trades working above ground. Managing groundwater, ensuring worker safety in confined spaces, and maintaining project timelines despite weather or permitting delays are also typical hurdles. Effective communication with project managers, engineers, and municipal inspectors is crucial to address these issues quickly and keep the project on track.

What is the difference between Underground Contractor vs Excavation Worker?

AspectUnderground ContractorExcavation Worker
CredentialsOSHA certifications, specialized underground work licensesOSHA certifications, basic excavation safety training
Work EnvironmentUnderground construction sites, tunnels, utility installationsOpen trenches, surface excavation sites
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, utility, infrastructure projectsConstruction, landscaping, infrastructure projects

Underground Contractors focus on planning, managing, and executing underground projects, often requiring specialized licenses and safety protocols. Excavation Workers perform the physical digging and site preparation, typically with less specialized licensing. Both roles are essential in construction projects but differ mainly in scope and responsibilities.

What job categories do people searching Underground Contractor jobs in Spring Valley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Underground Contractor jobs in Spring Valley, CA are:

Senior Construction Inspector

Ardurra

San Diego, CA

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Ardurra is seeking a Senior Construction Inspector to join our Public Works Inspection Group in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, CA!

Ardurra is a respected and growing national engineering and management firm that boasts is ranked in the top 100 design firms by ENR (#84 in 2024), top 5 Zweig Hot Firms (#5 in 2024) and top 40 Zweig Firms to Work for (#36 in 2024). The firm maintains its status as a premier U.S. Engineering Firm that makes a profound, positive impact on our nation’s infrastructure while expanding and strengthening our people-centric culture.

Ardurra’s Construction Management Practice successfully delivers important infrastructure improvement projects to our clients. We are proud of our reputation for providing best in class project and construction management solutions with a fair, firm, proactive and efficient approach.

This position is open to both part-time and full-time opportunities. 

Primary Function

A successful candidate will be passionate, self-motivated, proactive, quick-thinking, flexible, able to pivot when necessary, thorough and able to juggle multiple and diverse responsibilities with a strong emphasis on organization and an unwavering attention to detail. The ability to identify, contemporaneously report and proactively mitigate potential field design, safety, quality, schedule, construction and budget impacts is essential. This position requires the ability to effectively interact with a wide range of internal and external team members with varying and sometimes conflicting concerns in a collaborative workflow that drives positive results for client projects and the company. This is a demanding and fast-paced position that requires someone who is a problem solver, positive thinker and is able to exercise good judgment and communication

If selected, the candidate will play an integral role in Ardurra’s inspection team servicing our Southern California clients and managing a variety of capital improvement projects ranging from water/wastewater, utility undergrounding, dry and wet utility installations, trenchless rehabilitation solutions, road rehabilitations and widenings, bridges, parks, buildings, as well as other and other critical infrastructure and facility improvements.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Represent the Client’s interests at all times.
  • Assist with field public relations.
  • Monitor the compliance with the project contract, specifications, approved traffic control plans or Watch Manual (MUTCD). National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), OSHA / Contractor’s Safety Plan requirements, quality assurance.
  • Coordinate 3rd party special / deputy inspections & materials testing; address unsatisfactory inspection & /or test results through satisfactory resolution.
  • Conduct contractor/subcontractor employee interviews for confirmation of proper payment of wages (assist with labor compliance).
  • Assist the construction managers in monitoring & documenting the contractor’s adherence to the approved construction schedule.
  • Be present on the job site when construction is in progress & when inspection is required.
  • Prepare daily inspection reports (Daily Activity Report, Weekly Statement of Working Days, etc.), as required.
  • Measure & verify the project pay item quantities, in-place. Confirm pay item quantities with the contractor prior to submission of invoice for payment.
  • Develop punch list items & monitor satisfactory completion.
  • Support one to several simultaneous projects.

Qualifications

  • High School diploma or equivalent. Civil Engineering related coursework/certifications, Associates Degree is preferred
  • 15+ years in the Construction field or Construction Management/Field Services
  • Knowledge of & ability to interpret, technical specifications, contract requirements, engineering drawings, & standard construction details
  • Background in permit & capital project inspections on parks & playground, road rehabilitation & widenings, building facilities, water / wastewater improvements, & other various infrastructure construction
  • Experience with monitoring & proper implementation of traffic control, Asphalt Concrete (AC) & Concrete roadways, sidewalk, curb & gutter, & underground utilities
  • Demonstrate knowledge in construction inspection applications.
  • Knowledge of regulatory requirements such as CalOsha & Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) & other regulatory agencies as required.
  • Strong verbal & written communication skills & familiarity with operating smart devices & computers is preferred
  • Caltrans or LA Metro experience strongly is preferred.
  • APWA Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII) & Qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Practitioner (QSP) Certifications are preferred
  • Valid CA driver's license
  • Willingness to travel

        Compensation:

        Our compensation structure consists of part-time to full-time hourly salary in compliance with the appropriate California Prevailing Wage Determination.

        Why Ardurra?

        While Ardurra offers competitive compensation and rich benefits programs, it is our culture that truly sets us apart from our peers. We nurture a family-like culture, striving to create a work environment that is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding but also fun.  We are acutely focused on developing our staff, whether through our internal Ardurra Academy or through our industry-leading Leadership program. We have made a deliberate and focused commitment to nurture a people-centric culture where people are: valued as individuals; supported in their professional and career development with multiple, varied career paths; provided the tools and resources to be successful, engaged, and satisfied in their work; and positive benefits, time-off programs, and flexibility to help maintain a healthy balance between work and home. 

        NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

        Ardurra does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Agency Agreement, Ardurra will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. If a resume or candidate is submitted to any hiring manager without a previously signed agreement, Ardurra reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. These candidates will be considered property of Ardurra. We’re not currently looking to add any more agencies to our list of approved vendors, so please do not contact any of our managers or recruitment team with sales calls or details of your candidates.

        #LI-LC