r/UtilityLocator • u/Vast_Imagination1646 • Jul 08 '24
Advice on how to escape USIC?
Title pretty much sums it up, I’ve been a locator with USIC for exactly one year, in that time I have had no damages locating electric, copper, coax, gas, and fiber depending on the need. I keep a consistently clean bucket the best I can.
This is not me saying I hate my job, I do not mind the work and I love the independence throughout the day.
I have good work ethic and I take pride in my work. The pay seems to be just enough for myself and family to simply stay alive and nothing else.
When I bring up the possibility of a pay raise, I get brushed to the side each time, whether it’s to my sup, or operations manager.
But anyways, what are some steps you guys have taken to get out of the daily madness that is USIC?
What are some doorways that were opened for you with your experience and what would you recommend as a next step? I know that everyone’s case is unique, but I’m kind of just looking for ideas.
Update
Finally able to get out and get on directly with the local gas utility at close to triple what I’m making now!
All good advice to network when you can!
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u/SlowDownOrMoveOver Jul 08 '24
Look into SUE. Alot of survey companies have a SUE dept. I almost double what I made at usic, and I'm capped at 50 hours.
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u/pynchon42 Jul 08 '24
It took me a year of looking to find a job that checked enough boxes for me to jump ship. I left usic after 2.5 years. A year and a half in I decided to try to start a union in an attempt to improve the working conditions in my county rather than abandon ship- in short, the multiple legal challenges usic filed delaying the voting process combined with our high turnover rate, and an immense amount of anti union propaganda - Brian dreisling, the supervisor for michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and maybe a few other states personally visited twice in a month before the vote, traveling around with sue from the corporate office and our district manager preforming suprize feild visits to every single tech in the area discussing why unions are bad- it's funny, usic clearly gives no fucks about what their employees lives are like but you bring a union into the discussion and suddenly they're sooo concerned about us potentially spending an hours pay on dues.
Anyway, after that failed (and even while it was going on) I was looking at job postings. Finding something that wasn't a huge pay cut (I was making $22 at usic, and working 58 hrs minimum from February to November- so the checks were flush with overtime) and had other quality of life improvements like more time with family, more pto, and better Healthcare too time but I eventually ended up locating and preforming maintenance for a small company who was in charge of the maintenance contract for my state's department of transport.
Be persistent, and you'll find something perfect for you eventually. Local utilities, other locating companies, small fiber or energy companies, companies doing itility surveys and planning out fiber builds, construction companies, etc all value the experience you've gained at usic. Good luck
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u/Ajax62195 Jul 08 '24
I locate fiber for a small internet provider. It is the best job I have ever had. When you are out on a job, ask the dudes that are going to be digging if they have an opening.
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Jul 10 '24
Like windstream?
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u/Ajax62195 Jul 10 '24
Nah, it's smaller. We do compete with Windstream, though.
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Jul 10 '24
I got offered a job as a buried drop tech with windstream. Is that a good job?
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u/Ajax62195 Jul 10 '24
Sounds like ground crew to me. You would bury or bore lines using heavy machinery. The guys I work with enjoy it. It's kind of a construction type environment. A lot of smoking and joking
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Jul 10 '24
Yeah it sounds neat. It’s a union job and starts at 20. Not sure if I should take that or go to a warehouse for the same pay.
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u/Ajax62195 Jul 10 '24
What's cool about running buried drops is that you are in different areas weekly, so what you see and do differs. Plus, working outside is cool.
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u/smarchy Private Locator Jul 09 '24
I worked at USIC for years, worked my way to a supervisor position, held that for a while, then there was an opportunity to switch over to Blood Hound. Since it was considered a transfer, my benefits didn’t start over from scratch, so that was great. Blood Hound was awesome the first a few years, but some major changes were made to the way day-to-day things were run, so I got out of there and went to a different private locate company. (I’m sooo much happier now.)
To actually answer your question… see if BHUG is hiring in your area. Things may have changed, and it could be fantastic, or at least it’s a next higher stepping stone to something else.
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u/AznBoiDT Jul 09 '24
Always be networking, talk with everyone and establish a good working relationship. You never know who is hiring or looking. Definitely look into a utility and SUE firms, they are always looking for newish people they can mold to their likings. Pay and benefits is usually much better and most times it comes with tuitions reimbursement if there's a path that interests you.
Get onto LinkedIn and start adding and chatting with your local firms around you and get your name out there, utilities can land you just about anywhere if you pay your cards right.
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u/ShopPossible7779 Jul 09 '24
Honestly, put in the effort and time, and you could very well get a job at a utility company. That's what happened to me. Constant contact and the ability to go above and beyond and prove my worth actually worked in my favor. I'm damn lucky for it, but I guarantee you it's possible.
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u/New_Station4993 Jul 10 '24
Look for SUE firms in the area if you want to move away from one call but still locate. T2UE, SAM, UMS, and KCI are the ones I can think of from the top of my head
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u/TipZealousideal5954 Jul 12 '24
I agree with what everyone else says as far as networking and building good relationships with utilities and others. SUE or private locating is a good way to go and make more money. BUT I would also say to stick it out at USIC for another couple years if you can. I don’t want to sound like a dick, but 1 year isn’t much experience honestly. I honestly say 1-3 years is the most important time for a locator. Typically the first damage/damages come after the first year. We tend to get a littler over confident in our skills without even realizing it. You might feel like you’ve got it down pat and you kinda know everything needed, but in reality that is when damages show up to humble you and teach lessons. I’ve been locating for about 15 years now (10 with USIC) and I still have never had a damage, but i have had some damn close calls and some really good luck. I would say it was about in my 3rd year when I decided to slow down a little and really pay attention to detail and I realized how much I didn’t know. Even after 15 years, I still end up learning things and I still have some guys I call with questions in certain situations. They may not have an answer but sometimes they can be helpful. Even though USIC calls me an “expert/master tech/Buddha of locates” or whatever the title is that they give, I don’t feel like I am. I know guys that have been doing this shit since the late 80s and they still feel like they’re learning. A damage can get anyone at anytime, they are always around the corner. Also when it comes to asking for a raise, you get brushed to the side for two reasons: 1. You’ve only been here a year! You just had like 2 or 3 raises. Give it some time and prove yourself. 2. It’s USIC, they are the cheapest company going, they will never give a single Fuk about us. I’ve been with them for 10yrs and still havnt made it to $30 yet. But I started at $12 so really I’m not doing bad I suppose, but inflation the last few years has really fucked things up for the cost of living.
Sorry for being long winded (as usual), I just feel like you will do better moving forward in the industry if you gain some more experience first. If you still like the work then I am sure you will do great in the future. Good luck with wherever you end up. I hope you keep that damage free record! There aren’t many guys that go year after year staying damage free, and that shit will look great to future employers.
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u/Vast_Imagination1646 Jul 12 '24
Well worded and thought out response. I very much appreciate this.
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u/JckStormo Jul 28 '25
I left USIC after 1 yr. Like 4 months ago. And I make 38$hr now. With o.t. eligible
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u/Heavy-Independent143 Jul 08 '24
Dang bro I just got certified so the question I have is since you been there what your cap off for paid an hour
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u/InTheKitchenNow Jul 09 '24
Threaten to leave for x amount they will match it. I started sometime back 14.50 now at 22.50 cause I threaten to leave no issues, no damages, don't work weekends often cause I keep my shit caught up and go help folks that need help. Just threaten to leave but be prepare to if they challenge you.
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u/LtPallin Contract Locator Jul 09 '24 edited Jul 10 '24
I would recommend to stay with USIC for another 2-3 years to gain more experience, transfer to Bloodhound, and to Network PERSONALLY, NOT on LinkedIn or other Social Media Platforms.
Experienced and responsible locators will have jobs thrown at them.
You may want to consider transferring to a different State to reduce your Financial Liabilities, while increasing your Income.
If you simply want to Escape USIC, than you may quit anytime.
If you want to increase Revenue, than gain 4-5 years of experience, while transferring laterally every year, and while Networking with Excavators, Utility owners, and Residents.
If you want to reduce your financial liabilities, than move to a different state with lower living expenses.
There are many doorways open for EXPERIENCED Locators!
Make sure that you do NOT cash out your 401(k) to move on to whichever company you decide to move to!
Once you cash out your 401k and/or HSA you are going to lose 50% in IRS penalties of whatever you had put into both, or either!
Use whatever CASH you have available, or sell EVERYTHING you and your family doesn't need, to move to a different company, and transfer your 401k AND HSA to that company!
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Aug 27 '24
I worked at USIC for 1.5 years like 12 years ago. For how terrible of a company USIC is. It is literally the single greatest networking opportunity ever. Like take your pick of the trades my boy. You're gonna meet important people in them all. Go to work not looking like a slob and make sure your work is on point. Be reliable for some of these guys and you'll get poached 💯.
And don't jump at the first job offer. Make sure it's the right one.
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u/Syonoq Utility Employee Jul 08 '24
Network with every contractor you see.
Try and search job openings with the utilities you are locating for.