Day In The Life of a USIC Technician

Learn more about what it's like to be a utility locate technician at USIC by following Nick through his day.

[shaneoakley]

These videos are excellent! I am 49 years old and looking for a career change. I've been in construction and public service my whole life and I am excited to say that I have an interview scheduled with USIC! I hope to be a part of the team!

[blacklight]

Best job I ever had. I would like to thank the company for everything and just know I tried to give my best each and every day, without ever complaining. Thank you for a great 6 years and 7 months.

[Zepetokaylastar]

If you have anxiety issues, depression, get overwhelmed easily, frustrated, then here's a
Warning...
(training is brutal).
And being on the field will be even more brutal.
It's not a cupcake job, it's mentally draining.

They drill you and drill you with vehicle safety, so many tests each day that your Brian will feel like it's on overdrive. There is a pass or fail to continue on, and I believe that's after 3 weeks.

Things you're told...You have to Stop behind white line, look left, right, then left again, can't go more than 2 miles over the speed limit, when you stop behind a vehicle make sure you can see their tires and pavement etc etc etc... Basically the camera will talk to you if you even move your head down, it assumes you're not paying attention, so no cell phones, or eating while driving.

When drinking, if your head tilts back that's a violation, cause it thinks you're not paying attention. You'll get marked for everything pretty much.

The class I was in the trainer was a Sargent at one time, and he literally acted like one. Makes you feel like crap when you're called on to answer a question, and you don't get it right... But then will turn around and say, it's okay if you don't get the material right away it's gonna take time, then right back to.... You should know that question. Had my head spinning.

They won't tell you that some homeowners will be mentally abusive because the homeowners don't want you there at their home, period. Contractors are different because they know you're coming, they set the appointment up, but you'll still deal with Crappy contractors. You'll deal with a lot of crappy people on the job.

There's no hands on training right away, it's all classroom, reading, reading, and watching videos, and listening to them lecture. Also the class I was in, was very loud... meaning if they were done with their tests they'd talk amongst each other and if you're like me, and need to concentrate...forget it.

That was my issue, I couldn't concentrate to finish the test. I feel that's how they weed them out. If you can't keep up, and you get overwhelmed out the door a lot of them go.

To me and to the ones I was talking to from my class, we felt a lot of the stuff they're teaching you, is overkill...and there were some pretty smart intelligent people in my class, and they were extremely overwhelmed.

So if you can handle hours and hours of tests, lectures, videos, extreme boredom, being overwhelmed, confused, don't mind feeling dumb for asking questions, can handle being abused on the field... that's if you pass the class. Then this job is for you. Good luck!

[abduhlrivers]

Great video im about to start training so i am here looking at tips and advise and learning as i go. Thanks for this great content.

[joes]

I was a Locator for a Year. I was one of the older ones that came out of training. It was a major change of employment. In overview, I worked for USIC out of Evansville office for a year. I had No damages during that time. The Stress was there to try and get the number of Locates done that was required of me. I was averaging 25-28 a day. The pay was Not there in conjunction to the responsibility we held and the danger involved. I lost 37 lbs and caught Poison Ivy real bad but it sure was a challenge. What did it for me was that I was on call on this particular weekend which had Deer season opened on. I knew I was on call but I went hunting anyway. I was up in my deer stand and around 8am I got the alert and responded. It was 1 hour and 30 minute drive to find out it was a Close Out! That means it was a nothing burger and everything was arial. $12.00 an hour wasn't worth the aggravation and stress so shortly thereafter, I quit. Good to have No damages though. Not many locaters can say that.

[marflebark]

A Supervisor talking about 'day in the life of a technician' now that is ironic, supes sit in their trucks, always idling, always in A/C, sitting on the side of a road, no beacons/strobes, no cones, and pass judgement on techs that idle more than 20% of the time, or dont have their cones at exact perfect placement.

Supervisors are basically "Do as I say, not as I do, because we don't lead by example, but hold you to standards we don't hold ourselves to"

[michaeldelio]

Dont rush for this job. The turnover rate is high, so it will always be there if you want to try it.

[richmunoz]

This a good video. I just had my second interview. Look like a awesome place to work.

[СаняЮдин-сц]

I’m so blessed to have met Andrew from Downers Grove Illinois, he explained this to me and my eyes lit up, I wanted to be bomb disposer in military

[HaydenWright-tsuk]

Worked here a little over a year. would not want to work anywhere else.

[iamTkzs]

I've just finished my over the phone interview. Going in in two days for an in-person interview for utility locator

[slimjim]

I just applied I cannot wait for someone to see my application I’ve been a plumber for 6 months and in construction for around 4 years. And this looks like such an amazing job.

[jrghfp]

I’m not gonna lie, USIC is the starting point for all locators atleast everyone that i’ve met throughout my locating experience! Central Florida USIC management is not the best though! I now work at stake center and only locate fiber! Shoutout USIC for teaching me majority of everything i know.

[justinweber]

There is a reason the "NOW HIRING, no experience needed" stickers on the trucks are permanent ... keep that in mind. Any company that is ALWAYS hiring and doesnt require any experience is a company you should be weary of going into it.. Im not saying its a bad place, ive worked here a long time, but they are a large corporation and they operate like amazon or any other large corporation. youll always be a number and expected to act as a robot.

[lolacole]

I'd like to join this company. Is it true that you can get a job here without experience? I saw a job posting that said "No Experience Necessary"

[andytoledo]

Hard to believe this "commercial" the employee reviews from actual locators claims USIC is a horrible place to work.

[woshyboy]

Does usic not do in person interviews now? Or just does virtual recording ones now?

[yogililly]

Retired from ATT as a tech, placed many burial requests for local contractor to bury the fiber or copper wiring and often found the wiring was buried before the locator every showed up.

For ATT 50% of work is outside and 50% inside customer residence, this position is all outside but unlike many construction jobs, think dump truck driver / road construction, you’re working all weather conditions. Not sure what benefits are but sick time for severe conditions should be a must.

I am now retired and work part time Home Depot to stay physical, walking, climbing, squats, get ups… basically a paid gym membership…. I would consider USIC as a part time employee, 3 days a week for 24 to 30 hours…. This locator position is likely better than driving school bus which in my area is paying $24 a hour with 25 hours per week guarantee ($600) during school year with down side of split shifts 3 hours in morning (6-9) and three in afternoon (2-5) but driving in all weather types.

[arxdallas]

Just got hired on, I start on the 3rd of June and I’m looking forward

[СаняЮдин-сц]

It was funny 5:07 when you looked sideways at the camera lol