What does a utility inspector do?
A utility inspector is responsible for ensuring the safety of facilities and the stability of components and equipment that support daily operational functions. Utility inspectors inspect utility tools and equipment, conduct preventive maintenance, and identify inconsistencies for immediate repairs or replacement. They also handle the installation of new equipment and machinery, requiring them to have an excellent analysis of schematics and blueprints for accuracy. A utility inspector must have excellent mechanical and organizational skills, especially in writing incident reports and developing resolutions to avoid potential hazards and operational delays.
Utility inspector responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real utility inspector resumes:
- Remain compliant with API 1104 and Enogex WPS's and manage technical documents and information sharing.
- Inspect all coating application to ensure proper application and WFT is achieved per clients and manufacturers specifications and standards.
- Document heat numbers of pipe and x-ray numbers and GPS coordinates of welds.
- Conduct internal quality audits to ensure compliance with all FAA, EASA, OSHA and ISO regularity compliance.
- Perform inspection and classification of various construction materials and construction activities including installation of asphalt, concrete, and soil foundations.
- Ensure contractors have and used PPE.
- Coordinate survey and NDT on projects.
- Observe and inspect several HDD's and bores.
- Verify as-built drawings reflect the true conditions of the field.
- Coordinate with radiography contractor to perform require NDE testing and reports.
- Verify and witness all NDT completion release prior to hydro test.
- Direct all field welding inspection, prefabrication, and production of as-built drawings.
- Inspect all restoration of emergency and schedule work .. TX dot .. Traffic control certification.
- Track all GPS coordinates of fittings and valve settings as well as line crossings.
- Check welds as they are coated to ensure NACE and DTE specs are met.
Utility inspector skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Utility Inspectors are proficient in Pipeline Construction, Gas Meters, and Backfill. They’re also known for soft skills such as Craft experience, Mechanical knowledge, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Utility Inspectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pipeline Construction, 18%
Field duties involved observing pipeline construction and ensuring proper installation methods and protocols were being maintained.
- Gas Meters, 12%
Install Automatic Reading Devices on gas meters and if necessary call Peoples Natural Gas if we found a leak on a meter
- Backfill, 11%
Supervised contractor and reported all trenching/ditching and backfill during dig up anomalies.
- Safety Procedures, 6%
Verified construction activities met or exceeded company standards and safety procedures.
- Utility Poles, 5%
Patrolled circuits conducting visual inspections of utility poles for potential safety hazards and faulty equipment.
- DOT, 4%
Inspect station being built making checks for gas company specification compliance and all other DOT requirements.
Common skills that a utility inspector uses to do their job include "pipeline construction," "gas meters," and "backfill." You can find details on the most important utility inspector responsibilities below.
Mechanical knowledge. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling utility inspector duties is mechanical knowledge. The role rewards competence in this skill because "inspectors use a variety of testing equipment to check complex systems and must therefore understand how the systems operate." According to a utility inspector resume, here's how utility inspectors can utilize mechanical knowledge in their job responsibilities: "exercised knowledge of welding processes, non-destructive testing, metallurgy, and quality control. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of utility inspectors is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday utility inspector duties, as "inspectors must be able to explain problems they discover and to write a report that clearly describes their findings." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "installed meter station and communications system and inspected on the 12 mile 20 inch pipeline. "
Detail oriented. A big part of what utility inspectors do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to utility inspector responsibilities because "inspectors thoroughly examine many different construction activities." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical utility inspector tasks: "keep detailed records of footage for gps recording and progress reporting. "
The three companies that hire the most utility inspectors are:
- Osmose Holdings, Inc.179 utility inspectors jobs
- USIC9 utility inspectors jobs
- Koppers5 utility inspectors jobs
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Compare different utility inspectors
Utility inspector vs. Construction analyst
A Construction Analyst prepares statements, annual financial reports, exhibits, transmittal letters, schedules, statistical tables, management analysis, and management discussion. They handle business forecast analysis, cash flow projection analysis, statistical report analysis, government requirement analysis, financial plan analysis, budget analysis, and forecast analysis. Construction Analysts also prepare review recommendations, create and modify current procedures and policies.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, utility inspector responsibilities require skills like "pipeline construction," "gas meters," "backfill," and "safety procedures." Meanwhile a typical construction analyst has skills in areas such as "construction projects," "construction management," "cost estimates," and "real estate." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Construction analysts tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $80,747. In contrast, utility inspectors make the biggest average salary, $53,108, in the technology industry.The education levels that construction analysts earn slightly differ from utility inspectors. In particular, construction analysts are 6.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a utility inspector. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Utility inspector vs. Grade checker
A plans examiner is typically in charge of evaluating construction or work plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and zoning ordinances. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and reviewing applications and documentation, verifying the accuracy and authenticity of requirements, and assuring that they adhere to the safety policies and standards. Furthermore, as a plans examiner, it is essential to liaise with clients and other officials, maintain records of all transactions, and provide advice on whether the applications are suitable for permits.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real utility inspector resumes. While utility inspector responsibilities can utilize skills like "pipeline construction," "gas meters," "backfill," and "safety procedures," grade checkers use skills like "grade control," "hand tools," "highway construction," and "grade stakes."
In general, grade checkers achieve similar levels of education than utility inspectors. They're 1.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Utility inspector vs. Building code administrator
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, utility inspectors are more likely to have skills like "pipeline construction," "gas meters," "backfill," and "safety procedures." But a building code administrator is more likely to have skills like "windows server," "maven," "java," and "build scripts."
Building code administrators typically earn higher educational levels compared to utility inspectors. Specifically, they're 13.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Utility inspector vs. Plans examiner
Types of utility inspector
Updated January 8, 2025
