USIC: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

USIC was formed in March 2008 through the merger of SM&P Utility Resources and Central Locating Services, combining two established players in the underground utility locating industry. The company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since its formation, USIC has grown into the leading outsourced provider of "utility locate" services, work that involves identifying and marking the location of buried pipes, cables, and fiber lines on behalf of public utilities, which are legally required to ensure underground infrastructure is marked before excavation begins nearby.

USIC has changed ownership multiple times as a private equity-backed company. Partners Group acquired USIC in 2017 and helped grow the company significantly before selling a 50% stake to Kohlberg & Company in 2022, in a transaction that valued USIC at an enterprise value of $4.1 billion, with additional investment from funds managed by Mubadala and Neuberger Berman. Today, USIC operates across 48 U.S. states and Canada, employing more than 11,000 locate technicians who perform over 80 million locates annually for more than 1,300 utility customers across the cable, telecommunications, electric, gas, water, and sewer sectors. The company also operates affiliated brands including Blood Hound, Reconn Utility Services, and On Target Utility Services.

USIC's workforce is centered around field locate technicians who travel to job sites to identify and mark underground utility lines, a role that requires driving to numerous locations throughout the workday and working outdoors in varied conditions. The company has invested significantly in technician training, compensation, and equipment to support the accuracy and safety of its locate services.

Company culture and employee programs: USIC has stated a goal of becoming a "most desirable workplace," reflecting significant investment in technician training and compensation following its ownership changes. Given the field-based, driving-intensive nature of locate technician roles, safety and reliability are emphasized throughout the company's operations. Benefits, scheduling, and advancement opportunities can vary by region, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the utility services and infrastructure industry, including USIC, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

USIC is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for field service roles involving driving to customer and public infrastructure sites, and given the safety-sensitive nature of locate technician work.

The hiring process for locate technician positions at USIC typically includes an application, an interview, a review of the candidate's driving record given the driving-intensive nature of the role, and a background check prior to a final offer. New technicians generally undergo structured field training before working independently.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a locate technician or field services role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the type of record and jurisdiction.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to a role that involves driving company vehicles and working near public infrastructure. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements. Locate technician roles typically also require a valid driver's license.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what USIC may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to USIC or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.