Utility Locator - Damage Prevention Technician

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

We’re looking for a Utility Locator - Damage Prevention Technician. You will provide advanced coordination and support to LLNL projects by performing locating jobs using state of the art locating equipment to identify and map hidden substructures and buried utilities. This position is in the Infrastructure Engineering and Operations Department and may require work at Site 300 in Tracy, California.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will 

• Provide advanced technical coordination and support to LLNL projects by performing locating jobs to identify and map hidden substructures and buried utilities.
• Perform complex technical locates where regular decision making is needed to establish or modify guidelines, techniques, and procedures.
• Coordinate with personnel on projects requiring underground locating services, and anticipate and reconcile support problems, including technical factors affecting critical milestones.
• Provide supervisor and customer/requestor routine status updates and reports.
• Ensure that all locating tasks are performed in compliance with Environmental Safety and Health and National Utility Locator Utilize Contractor Association (NULCA) standards as well as procedures related to underground line locating.
• Contribute technical underground locating knowledge to project teams and maintenance staff and work with personnel inside and outside LLNL.
• Give locating demonstrations when needed and communicate to all levels of management within LLNL and other Department of Energy (DOE) facilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Associate degree (AA/AS) in electronics, mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing technology or equivalent combination of education and experience in a maintenance or construction field.
• Advanced experience locating sub-surface structures and/or underground utilities, such as under concrete, locating gas, water, and electrical facilities using advanced methods beyond standard single-line mark outs.
• High-level construction knowledge of how utilities are installed both inside and outside of buildings.
• Advanced skills and understanding of safety policies and procedures.
• Experience coordinating and working as a team with clients and providing technical expertise and support through compiling field documentation, digital pictures, and drawings.
• Effective written, verbal, feedback, and presentation skills necessary to interact tactfully and effectively with all levels of management, engineers, designers, and crafts personnel.
• Ability to participate in specific on-the-job training related to underground line locating.
• Experience using computers, scanners, digital cameras, and effectively using software such as Excel, Access, Word, and Photoshop.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with the NULCA standards.
• Experience with GIS utility mapping.
• Knowledge of building codes and USA North code/regulations.

Pay Range

$52.23 - $63.97 Hourly

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Site 300

Site 300 is an experimental test site operated by LLNL.  Situated on 7,000 acres in rural foothills approximately six miles southwest of downtown Tracy and 15 miles southeast of Livermore, Site 300 hosts approximately 200 employees with expertise in such fields as engineering, chemistry, biology, and environmental restoration. Employees assigned to work at Site 300 may be exposed to the organism that causes San Joaquin Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis).

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.