What Is the DoD SkillBridge Program?
The Department of Defense SkillBridge program authorizes active duty service members to participate in civilian industry internships and training programs during the last 180 days of their military service. During a SkillBridge internship, the service member works full-time with a civilian employer to gain real-world job skills and experience. The military continues to pay the service member's salary, benefits, and housing allowance throughout the internship period — the civilian employer pays nothing. This creates a uniquely low-risk opportunity for both the service member and the employer to assess fit before transitioning to full civilian employment.
SkillBridge participation requires command approval. Service members who are interested in pursuing a SkillBridge internship with US Utility Potholing should begin by discussing the opportunity with their chain of command and obtaining the necessary approvals through their installation's transition assistance office or the DoD SkillBridge program coordinator.
The Opportunity — Utility Locating Technician
Underground utility locating is a specialized technical field in high demand across South Florida and nationally. The combination of continued infrastructure investment, aging underground systems requiring verification, and growing regulatory requirements for utility safety has created strong and sustained demand for trained utility locating professionals in the construction and engineering industry. A career in utility locating offers consistent work, competitive pay, and a skill set that is transferable across the country.
During your SkillBridge internship with US Utility Potholing, you will train directly alongside our experienced field technicians on active South Florida construction projects. This is hands-on, real-world training — not classroom instruction. By the end of your internship, you will have practical field experience in the core technical skills of the utility locating profession.
What You Will Learn and Do
- Electromagnetic (EM) utility locating: Operating professional EM locating equipment in both passive and active modes to trace conductive underground utilities including electrical conduit, metallic pipe, and tracer wire.
- Ground penetrating radar (GPR): Assisting with GPR scanning operations and learning the basics of scan data interpretation for utility detection and concrete scanning applications.
- APWA field documentation: Applying APWA color-coded marking standards, recording utility locations with GPS, and preparing field documentation for project records.
- ASCE 38-02 and SUE fundamentals: Understanding the quality level framework used in Subsurface Utility Engineering and how field locating work supports engineering design deliverables.
- Vacuum excavation support: Assisting with utility potholing operations, including safe work practices near exposed underground utilities.
- Construction site safety: Traffic control awareness, excavation safety, utility strike prevention, and daily jobsite safety protocols on active South Florida construction sites.
- Client communication: Professional interaction with contractors, engineers, and project owners on the jobsite — a critical skill for field technicians.
Why Veterans Excel in Utility Locating
The qualities that make an outstanding service member are precisely the qualities that make an outstanding utility locating technician. The work demands attention to detail — missing a utility in the field can have serious consequences, and accurate documentation matters. It demands reliability — clients count on you to show up, complete the work, and report findings accurately. It demands the ability to work independently and make sound field judgments when conditions change. It demands safety discipline — the ability to assess risks and follow procedures consistently even when it is inconvenient.
Military veterans bring all of these qualities. In our experience, transitioning service members adapt quickly to the technical aspects of utility locating and often bring a level of professionalism and attention to detail that accelerates their development as field technicians. We are proud to support veterans making the transition to civilian careers, and we see the SkillBridge program as a genuine investment in our team.
Requirements
- Currently serving on active duty with 180 days or fewer remaining
- Command approval for SkillBridge participation
- Valid driver's license — field work requires daily travel to job sites throughout South Florida
- Ability to work outdoors in South Florida's climate and perform physically active field work
- Professionalism and reliability consistent with representing our company on client job sites
Also Available: SkillBridge SUE Technician Program
Interested in a deeper focus on Subsurface Utility Engineering — ASCE 38-02 data collection, engineering-grade deliverables, and the growing SUE industry? See our SkillBridge SUE Technician program for details on that track.
How to Apply
To apply for the US Utility Potholing SkillBridge program, contact us through our contact form or call (954) 849-2859. Please mention "SkillBridge" in your message and include a brief description of your military background, your transition timeline, and your interest in utility locating or SUE. We will respond promptly to discuss the opportunity, coordinate with your command's SkillBridge approval process, and schedule a call to answer any questions you have about the program and the career path it leads to.
We are committed to supporting transitioning service members and honoring the skills and discipline they bring from their military careers. We look forward to hearing from you.