Utility Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $45,145.00 - $72,319.00 Annually
Location : Annapolis
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600287
Department: PW Sewer Collection
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Summary
The City of Annapolis is seeking a self-motivated, detail-oriented technical professional to serve as Utility Locator. Operating under limited direct supervision, this position identifies, locates, and marks underground water and wastewater utility infrastructure across the City to prevent service disruptions and catastrophic utility strikes during construction excavation.
As Utility Locators usually work independently, candidates are expected to exercise considerable initiative and sound independent judgment in interpreting readings from electronic locating equipment, analyzing utility maps, and optimizing daily field routes. Additionally, this position provides crucial operational support to Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection, performing line repairs, maintenance, grease interceptor inspections, and operating heavy equipment (equivalent to an Equipment Operator II) when needed.
Essential Job Functions

• Utility Locating & Marking: Locates and physically marks existing City water lines, water valves, wastewater lines, and related underground infrastructure using specialized electronic locating equipment and standardized utility color codes.
• Map & Drawing Analysis: Researches and interprets construction drawings, engineering plans, and 1"=40' scale utility maps to pinpoint excavation sites and accurately identify underground utility locations.
• Infrastructure Mapping Updates: Collects updated field data and provides precise operational information to update official City 1"=40' scale utility maps.
• Field Access & Maintenance: Manually accesses utility appurtenances, including valve boxes, water meters, and wastewater lids.
• Worksite Traffic Safety: Sets up, maintains, and removes traffic safety controls, cones, and signage when performing locating or maintenance tasks in high-risk roadway environments.
• Equipment & Fleet Operations: Transports tools and equipment to assigned sites; performs lubrication and minor routine maintenance on assigned equipment.
• Heavy Equipment Operation (Equipment Operator II Support): Operates heavy equipment-including backhoes, front-end loaders, Vac-Con trucks, and jet or continuous sewer rodders-to support line repairs, system maintenance, and grease interceptor inspections.
• Administrative Reporting: Prepares clear, concise written reports regarding completed locating tickets, infrastructure findings, and equipment maintenance logs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Blueprint & Map Reading: Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, utility 1"=40' scale maps, and technical operating manuals.
• Equipment Signal Interpretation: Ability to accurately interpret signals, frequencies, and digital outputs from electronic utility locating devices.
• Color Perception: Ability to distinguish colors clearly to mark underground utilities with designated industry color codes (e.g., blue for water, green for sewer).
• Traffic Safety Rules: Good knowledge of traffic safety regulations, work zone setups, and accident prevention practices in hazardous traffic environments.
• Independent Execution: Ability to organize daily field assignments into efficient routes that minimize backtracking and maximize City-wide coverage while working alone.
• Overtime Availability: Dependability and mandatory availability for emergency overtime and after-hours call-outs as required.

Qualifications
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency (GED) certificate.
• Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of full-time employment in underground utility work, utility construction, or a closely related field.
• Licensure: Possession of a valid Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior computer experience and familiarity with electronic locating devices.
• Experience operating heavy municipal equipment (e.g., Vac-Con, backhoe, sewer rodder).

Special Requirements & Conditions:

• Safety-Sensitive Designation: This position is designated as Safety-Sensitive. Appointment is contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, and incumbents are subject to mandatory random chemical substance testing consistent with Federal, State, and City guidelines.

Employment Conditions
Employment Conditions & Physical Demands

• Physical Capability: High physical strength and agility sufficient to lift, maneuver, and handle heavy objects up to 100 lbs. (e.g., manhole covers, valve lids, heavy tools) and climb into/operate large trucks and heavy equipment.
• Environmental Tolerance: Work is performed almost exclusively outdoors in all extreme weather conditions in active roadway environments around heavy machinery and hazardous traffic.
• Sensory Requirements:
  
  • Visual: Sufficient visual acuity to operate heavy equipment by day and night, observe road hazards, read maps/reports, and distinguish color codes.
  • Auditory & Speaking: Clear hearing and speaking abilities to communicate via two-way radio, telephone, and in-person in noisy construction zones.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The City of Annapolis Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment against any person seeking employment or employed in the civil service because of any consideration of political or religious affiliation or belief, race, color, sex, age, family status, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Summary of Benefits for AFSCME CLERICAL & TECH #3162
Work Hours: Minimum 35 hour work week, depending upon department operations.
Holidays: 12 paid holidays per calendar year.
Personal Leave: 3 personal days per calendar year (cannot be carried over).
Sick Leave: 15 days sick leave per calendar year, with unlimited accumulation.
Final sick leave balance is eligible for additional service credit towards retirement once eligibility requirements
have been met.
Annual Leave: Annual leave accumulates per calendar year as noted below (may carry over to the next calendar year 5 days of annual leave per year of service up to a maximum of 30 days).
Years of Service Days of Annual Leave
1 through 2 15 days
2 through 9 18 days
10 through 19 20 days
Longevity Leave: Longevity leave is in addition to the annual leave noted above. It cannot be paid out or carried over and must be used before your next anniversary:
Years of Service Days
20 through 24 1 day
25 through 29 2 days
30 or more 3 days
Health Insurance Plans (75% City Paid and 25% Employee Paid, unless otherwise noted):

• Medical and Prescription Drug (HDHP, EPO, Core, Plus)
• Dental (Core and Plus)
• Vision (Core and Plus)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (HDHP only)
• Short-Term Disability (100% City paid)
• Long-Term Disability (100% Employee paid)
• Core Life and AD&D Insurance for Employee (100% City paid)
• Optional Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse and Dependents (100% Employee paid)
• Legal Benefit (100% Employee paid)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - up to 3 confidential visits with a counselor for the employee, spouse, and their dependents
• VEBA/RMSA: A Retiree Medical Savings Account (RMSA) is an individual investment account held in Trust to help employees save for Retiree Health Care costs (can be used after retirement or separation of employment with the City).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - up to 3 confidential visits with a counselor for the employee, spouse, and their dependents

Retirement Plans: 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans with MissionSquare, Nationwide Retirement Solutions or Voya Financial
Maryland State Retirement System (Civil Service):

• 7% employee contribution
• Full vesting rights after 10 years of service credit
• Full Service Retirement - Rule of 90 (sum of Age and Eligibility Service must equal 90 or Age 65 with 10 Years Eligibility Service

Employee Rewards & Recognition program
Eligible to join the State Employees Credit Union (SECU)
Please Note: This document is intended to be a brief summary only. Please refer to the individual plan documents, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and the Rules and Regulations of the Personnel System for additional details specific to your benefits.
REVISED 2023-08-24
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education?

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Associate's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02
Do you possess a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL)?

• Yes, I possess a valid Class B CDL.
• No, but I possess a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
• No, I do not possess a CDL.

03
Do you possess at least two (2) years of full-time employment in underground utility work, utility construction, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered "Yes," to question 3, please specify your official position title, employer name, exact dates of employment, and your primary underground utility responsibilities. Note: This experience MUST also be explicitly detailed in the Work History section of your application or resume to be considered qualifying.
05
Are you willing and able to meet ALL of the following job conditions? (Select all that apply)

• Consent to pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing under Federal, State, and City Safety-Sensitive guidelines.
• Perform heavy physical labor outdoors in all extreme weather conditions, including lifting up to 100 lbs. (e.g., manhole covers).
• Work emergency overtime, nights, weekends, and remain available for urgent utility call-outs.
• None of the above / I cannot fulfill these conditions.

06
Please select the technical tools, skills, and equipment you have direct, hands-on experience operating (Select all that apply):

• Electronic utility locating devices / pipe and cable locators
• Reading and interpreting 1"=40' scale utility maps, blueprints, and engineering plans
• Opening and accessing valve boxes, water meters, and heavy sewer manhole lids
• Backhoe / Front-End Loader
• Vac-Con / Combination Vacuum-Jet Truck
• Sewer Jetter / Continuous Sewer Rodder
• Computer platforms for ticket management or mapping updates
• None of the above

07
Locating utilities often involves working alone in hazardous, high-traffic roadways. Describe how you set up a safe temporary work zone when accessing a utility valve or manhole in a busy street. What safety equipment and procedures do you deploy to protect yourself, motorists, and pedestrians?
Required Question