Shallow Gas Utility Construction1. Position Information
Position Title: Lead Hand – Shallow Gas Utility Construction
Department: Field Operations / Construction
Reports To: Construction Supervisor / Site Supervisor / Project Manager
Direct Reports: Utility Construction Crew, Labourers, Equipment Operators, and assigned subcontractor personnel
Location: Field / Construction Sites
Employment Type: Full-Time / Project-Based
2. Position Summary
The Lead Hand is responsible for providing day-to-day field leadership and coordination for shallow gas utility construction activities. The position works directly with the Supervisor and construction crew to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, utility requirements, project schedules, and company procedures.
The Lead Hand is expected to lead by example, maintain effective communication with workers and supervisors, identify and control hazards, coordinate daily work activities, and ensure that workers understand and follow required safe work practices.
The Lead Hand may participate directly in excavation, trenching, gas utility installation, service installation, backfilling, grading, equipment operation, material handling, testing, and site restoration activities, as qualified and authorized.
3. Key ResponsibilitiesField Leadership
- Lead and coordinate daily activities of the assigned construction crew.
- Review daily work plans, drawings, specifications, and project requirements with the crew.
- Assign tasks based on worker competency, experience, and authorization.
- Maintain effective communication between workers, supervisors, equipment operators, subcontractors, and other site personnel.
- Monitor production and provide regular progress updates to the Supervisor.
- Maintain a professional and respectful work environment.
- Lead by example and demonstrate safe work practices at all times.
Shallow Gas Utility Construction
- Coordinate and participate in installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance of shallow gas utility infrastructure.
- Assist with installation of gas mains, services, fittings, valves, tracer wire, marker systems, and associated utility components.
- Coordinate excavation and trenching activities.
- Verify work is completed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, utility standards, and project requirements.
- Coordinate bedding, pipe installation, backfilling, compaction, grading, and restoration activities.
- Assist with pressure testing, leak testing, inspection, and commissioning activities as required and within the individual's competency.
- Ensure materials and equipment are suitable for the work and properly handled.
- Identify deficiencies or installation concerns and report them to the Supervisor.
Safety & Hazard Management
- Participate in required Formal Hazard Assessments, Job Hazard Assessments (JHAs), FLHAs, toolbox meetings, and site orientations.
- Ensure hazards are identified before work begins and whenever conditions change.
- Implement required controls and verify workers understand them.
- Stop work when an uncontrolled or unacceptable hazard is identified.
- Report incidents, near misses, hazards, unsafe conditions, and property damage immediately.
- Ensure excavation and trenching activities are performed in accordance with applicable requirements and company procedures.
- Maintain required separation and controls around existing utilities and infrastructure.
- Ensure appropriate traffic, pedestrian, and equipment controls are established.
- Ensure required PPE is worn and properly maintained.
- Participate in incident investigations and corrective actions when requested.
Utility Locating & Excavation
- Confirm required utility locates are available before excavation.
- Ensure workers understand the location and hazards associated with existing underground utilities.
- Maintain required clearances and excavation controls.
- Monitor changing ground conditions, weather, water accumulation, trench stability, and other excavation hazards.
- Ensure spoil piles, equipment, and materials are positioned appropriately.
- Ensure access and egress requirements are maintained.
- Immediately report unidentified or damaged utilities.
Equipment & Tools
- Conduct or verify required pre-use inspections.
- Ensure defective tools, equipment, and vehicles are removed from service and reported.
- Ensure only trained and authorized personnel operate equipment.
- Coordinate equipment movement and maintain effective communication between operators and ground personnel.
- Establish and maintain equipment exclusion zones where required.
- Use spotters when required and ensure operators maintain effective communication with ground personnel.
Quality Control
- Monitor construction activities to ensure work meets project specifications.
- Identify quality deficiencies before work is covered or concealed.
- Coordinate required inspections and testing with the Supervisor or applicable project representative.
- Ensure materials are installed correctly and protected from damage.
- Assist with documentation of completed work, deficiencies, repairs, and changes.
- Support project close-out, as-built information, and site restoration activities.
Crew & Site Coordination
- Coordinate daily manpower, materials, tools, and equipment requirements.
- Communicate schedule changes and changing site conditions to the crew.
- Coordinate activities with other contractors and utility personnel where required.
- Maintain housekeeping and orderly material storage.
- Ensure work areas remain accessible and appropriately secured.
- Assist with site setup, demobilization, and restoration.
4. Worker Supervision & Accountability
The Lead Hand provides field-level direction but does not replace the authority or responsibilities of the designated Supervisor.
The Lead Hand is responsible for immediately communicating significant safety, quality, environmental, production, personnel, or equipment concerns to the Supervisor.
The Lead Hand shall not direct workers to perform tasks for which they are not trained, competent, or authorized.
5. Emergency Responsibilities
The Lead Hand shall:
- Understand the site Emergency Response Plan and applicable emergency procedures.
- Know emergency contact information, muster locations, access routes, and emergency equipment.
- Take immediate action to protect workers and the public during an emergency.
- Stop work and secure the area when required.
- Initiate notification of the Supervisor and emergency services as appropriate.
- Assist with emergency evacuation and accountability.
- Preserve the incident scene when required.
- Participate in emergency response and incident investigations.
For suspected gas releases or gas-related emergencies, the Lead Hand shall follow the applicable company, utility owner, and emergency response procedures and shall not place workers or the public at additional risk.
6. Required Qualifications
- Previous experience in utility construction, shallow gas construction, civil construction, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating construction crews.
- Knowledge of excavation, trenching, utility installation, and construction practices.
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
- Strong understanding of construction hazards and field-level hazard controls.
- Valid driver's licence appropriate for assigned duties.
- Ability to communicate effectively with workers, supervisors, clients, and subcontractors.
- Physically capable of performing required field duties.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and site conditions.
7. Preferred Qualifications & Training
Depending on project requirements, the Lead Hand may be required to have or maintain:
- Ground Disturbance / utility locating training.
- WHMIS.
- First Aid/CPR.
- Construction safety orientation.
- TDG, where applicable.
- Excavation and trenching training.
- Equipment-specific operator certification.
- Fall protection training, where applicable.
- Confined space training, where applicable.
- Respiratory protection training, where applicable.
- Gas detection or gas utility-specific training.
- Traffic control training.
- Any client, utility owner, or project-specific qualifications.
8. Core Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- Safety leadership
- Crew coordination
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Hazard recognition
- Construction knowledge
- Quality awareness
- Accountability
- Decision-making
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Professional conduct
9. Physical & Environmental Requirements
The position may require:
- Working outdoors for extended periods.
- Walking on uneven terrain.
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing, kneeling, and lifting.
- Working around heavy equipment and moving vehicles.
- Working near excavations and underground utilities.
- Exposure to dust, noise, vibration, weather, and other construction hazards.
- Working in confined or restricted areas where appropriately trained and authorized.
All work shall be performed in accordance with the company's hazard assessments, safe work procedures, PPE requirements, and applicable legislation.
10. Performance Expectations
Performance will be evaluated based on the Lead Hand's ability to:
- Maintain a safe and well-controlled worksite.
- Effectively lead and communicate with the crew.
- Complete work according to project specifications and schedules.
- Identify and address hazards before incidents occur.
- Maintain accurate and timely field documentation.
- Protect workers, the public, property, and existing utilities.
- Maintain quality standards.
- Report issues promptly.
- Support continuous improvement and the company's Health & Safety Management System.
11. Authority to Stop Work
The Lead Hand has the authority and responsibility to stop work when an unsafe condition, uncontrolled hazard, unexpected utility, equipment deficiency, environmental condition, or other situation could reasonably result in injury, illness, property damage, utility damage, or environmental harm.
Work shall not resume until appropriate controls have been implemented and the Supervisor has been notified where required.
12. Related Company Programs
This position shall comply with applicable requirements contained in the company's:
- Health & Safety Manual
- Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment Program
- Safe Work Practices & Procedures Program
- Emergency Response Program
- PPE Program
- Excavation & Trenching Procedures
- Vehicle & Mobile Equipment Safety Program
- WHMIS & Hazardous Products Program
- Environmental Management Program
- Incident Investigation and Corrective Action Process
- Training & Competency Program
- Quality Management System
- Contractor/Subcontractor Management Program
Pay: $30.00-$40.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- Drug Test Requirement - must pass prior to employment
Experience:
- Gas Installation: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
