Vacuum Excavation – Utility Potholing Crew Member
Job Description PDF

SSC Underground accepts applications for consideration, as openings for qualified and experienced vacuum excavation and utility potholing crew members become available. 

The vacuum crew member will help support all aspects of vacuum excavation and utility potholing jobs for the company.

This position will report directly to the vacuum truck crew leader. The vacuum truck crew member will be responsible for working as directed by the vacuum truck leader to excavate potholes for utility locating. The vacuum truck crew member will also be responsible for helping set up, operate, and clean the vacuum truck and its various tools. This is an entry level position with an opportunity to advance to the second tier of vacuum crew member once skills have been mastered and positive performance reviews and evaluations have been completed.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Report for work on time at company equipment yard to ride with the truck driver and/or truck helper to the job site
  • Actively participate in the daily THAs
  • Wear Personal Protection Equipment at all times without being reminded
  • Follow safety rules and demonstrates safe job site behaviors including traffic control.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally using Verbal and Non-Verbal (Hand-Signals) communication.
  • Use appropriate language at all times
  • Demonstrate a positive self-motivated attitude
  • Cooperate with the truck leader and co-workers with a respectful and productive way
  • Presents self in a clean and professional manner each day
  • Fill up ice/water cooler each day
  • Load extra hose, cold patch, sand, and other materials each day
  • Setup tools at job site including air lance, jackhammer, vacuum hose, and other miscellaneous tools as needed
  • Operate vacuum hose during vacuum excavation
  • Hold the light and transit rods properly during excavation
  • Keep the job site clean and organized by keeping tools sorted and out of the way of other people, traffic, and crews.
  • Place tools and equipment back in their proper location at the end of each shift
  • Help keep the vacuum truck clean and organized by removing asphalt, rocks, debris, and trash.
  • Fuel truck during fuel stops
  • Help truck leader with miscellaneous tasks as needed to complete the excavation job and return to the equipment yard.

Requirements:

  • Sufficient strength and physical dexterity to perform the duties and responsibilities of this job while exposed to Arizona’s inclement weather for long periods of time.
  • Ability to lift 90 lbs minimum using proper lifting form
  • Experience with excavation and tunneling tools such as jackhammers, pipes, hoses, and vacuums is a plus
  • Understanding of stationing, blue staking, and utilities is a plus.
  • Ability to follow instructions and work well with others.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information or any other status protected by law or regulation.  It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

What Our Clients Say:

  • “Just wanted to say thank you for the safety culture your company has. It’s a breath of fresh air to see other companies embracing being safe. I sat in on your crews’ safety meeting this morning prior to the start of their work on Ray Rd. “

    Scott Nunemaker – Vice President, RCCM

  • “Kuddos to your guys. Not once has any of your foreman’s EVER put up a fuss when I’ve asked them to work a little late. Response is always “whatever you want and we’ll stay as long as you need us to.” I really appreciate all the hard work they do for me. Thank you sir.”

    Travis Barrick – Field Supervisor, Felix Construction

  • “A big thank you to SSC for jumping on this quickly as they did to help the team get this information so quickly. It’s much appreciated and was pretty impressive to see 5 separate potholing crews descend upon Rio Salado the way they did today!”

    Christopher Laute, Resident Engineer, Valley Metro

  • We’ve used SSC for a number of years and I’ve been very pleased. Thanks and keep up the great work.

    Dave Klann, Staff Engineer, Mactec

  • SSC did a great job. Their assistance during pre-construction was greatly appreciated and differentiated them from the competition. Keep doing what you do best!

    Jim Drago, Sundt Construction

  • I called with short notice to some work and SSC responded immediately. In this market, dollars seem to control everything and quality of people and work seem to have diminished. The professionalism and hard work of your crew takes me back to when people knew what they were doing and cared. Intelligent guys that work […]

    Lonnie Ferguson, Project Manager, Construction 70

  • As a civil engineering consultant, I usually recommend your services but rarely use them with the exception being vacuum excavating. I have attended your seminars in the past and find them very helpful. I recommend continuing the education to make designers better. If we understand and know how to specify your service, we are more […]

    Bill Gasque, Sr. Civil Engineer, Dowl HKM

  • SSC handled the project perfectly even went above to schedule directly with the gas company, made my job easier.

    Tony Smith, Owner, Western Underground

  • You and your staff are always responsive to our needs and make sure you clearly understand the scope of the work in advance, so there are no surprises. I really appreciate that attitude.

    Michael Rhodes, Civil Engineer, Gila River Indian Community

  • Overall a good company. Very professional in approach and execution of work. Courtesy and respect shown by all personnel, a welcome rarity in the business. Keep doing what you’re doing, and thank you.

    M. Gartner, Project Manager, Sybrant Construction

  • We have been using your company’s services for about 3 years now. I have never heard a negative comment. Bringing Curtis on board is a definite plus as far as I am concerned. He keeps me informed about the work that I have done and he is very through and dependable.

    David Cross, Utility Coordinator, MCDOT

  • Your field crew did a great job!

    Nick Nikrant, Project Manager, Builders Guild

  • Crew was courteous & helpful.

    Jayde Bullard, Project Manager, Caljet of America, LLC.

  • This is the second time working with this foreman. Will request him again. Easy to work with.

    David Willett, Aero Automatic Sprinkler Co.

  • Superb foreman…Exceptional!

    Curtis Briggs, Shea Homes

  • Great work! SSC was timely, responsive and professional. I would use them again.

    Stewart Vaghti, Project Engineer, Gannett Fleming, Inc.

  • I have always had good and quick service from SSC.

    Sally Raymer, Sundt Construction

  • Arvid was very accommodating in getting crew onsite within 2 hours of my call.

    Dennis Sime, Project Superintendent, Hunter Contracting

  • First I want to express once again how impressed I am with you and your support group. You are all “top notch.” Yes the job went well and I appreciate your help. It really made a huge difference on such a critical facility. I still can’t believe (even though I saw it with my own […]

    David McKinley, VFC-Arizona

  • Great service on short notice. Thanks!

    Richard Komzelman, Carson Construction

  • The entire SSC crew was extremely professional and flexible. All of your company’s efforts are greatly appreciated and you will be our boring subcontractor on any future projects.

    Ben Myers, Project Manager, GRG Construction

  • Your team made this challenging casing push a success.

    Michael Fossett, Project Manager, SDB Inc.

  • Extensive knowledge of the local soil conditions coupled with their proven skills has insured that every job is completed within our schedule and budget. We’ve worked with SSC for many years and always found them to more than equal our high required standards and able to complete any task.

    Brian Chavez, Chief Estimator/Project Manager, Tyers Contracting

  • I would like to thank you for your prompt response to our urgent need for your services. The men you sent did a fantastic and quick bore. We do so appreciate your company for that. Thanks!

    Patricia Riggs, Town of Gila Bend

  • Our job was especially challenging. The SSC team worked six days, around the clock and the testimony to the success of their efforts is that the general public never knew they were here. An additional thanks to SSC for their professional courtesy. In our industry, it is something I do not encounter often enough.

    Chris McCoy, Superintendent, Gilbane Building Company

  • Your project manpower’s knowledge, attitude, safety and work ethic are outstanding!

    Mike Levi, Estimator/Project Manager, Holloman Corporation