Horizontal Directional Drill Operator; HDD

Horizontal Directional Drill Operator (HDD)

Employment Type
Regular - Full time Department Civil # of openings 1

Horizontal Directional Drill Operator (HDD)

Every bore you finish puts fiber in the ground that a community depends on – this is what lies behind Telecon's promise to connect people. If you've spent at least a year as the main operator on a directional drill and want to keep doing it close to home, this role is for you. You'll run a Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) rig on mainline installs and road crossings, working with your locator to place duct and cable underground.

Days start with equipment checks and site setup. From there you'll mix drill fluid for the ground you're in, steer the bore, pull back product, then load out and log the day. Bores run from about 50 to 500 feet, and most of the ground is cobble, so patience matters. You'll work on a crew of 4 to 6 with a foreman, locator, vac operator, and laborers.

This is a local role, not a traveling crew, and you're home every night. Drillers here have a path to foreman and supervisor roles with a proven track record.

This role is for drillers who've been in the seat as their main job, not jumping on a rig now and then. You'll need to read bore plans, mix mud for the conditions, and know your bend radius and grade math cold. If you show up prepared, keep your equipment in good shape, and stay patient in tough ground, this is steady local work worth a look.

• Location: Tacoma, WA (report to the Tacoma yard, with local projects in the Federal Way and Issaquah areas; company truck provided to job sites)
• Wage: $35.00 – $45.00 per hour DOE

• Operate the directional drill on mainline installs and road crossings, selecting bore heads and back reamers to place cable and/or duct along the planned bore path
• Work with the locator to keep the bore on plan and clear of existing utilities
• Prepare drilling fluid based on soil and site conditions, including cobble, before boring begins
• Load, unload, and secure the drill, tools, materials, and equipment safely and damage-free, and transport the drill if you hold a CDL
• Complete daily equipment inspections before starting work; CDL holders also complete driver logbook and vehicle inspections (pre-trip, en-route, post-trip)
• Keep equipment and trucks clean and maintained, troubleshoot issues, and relay them to a service technician for support or repair
• Complete maintenance, repair, accident, and incident reports accurately
• Support other crew tasks as directed by Foreman or Supervisor

• 1+ years as the primary operator of a directional drill, with drilling as your main day-to-day role
• HDD experience on underground utility installs; fiber, natural gas, pipeline, and electrical work all count (vertical oil, gas, or water well drilling is not a match)
• Ability to read bore plans and prints and mix drilling fluid independently from day one
• Working knowledge of drill pipe bend radius, grade calculations, and reamer sizing
• Ability to drill patiently and effectively in cobble and other difficult ground
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Working knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and a strong commitment to safety
• Clear communication and ability to perform under production pressure as part of a crew

• Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement

This position requires successful completion of a background check, motor vehicle record (MVR) review, Department of Transportation (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). query, and pre-employment drug screening, as applicable.

This role requires the ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including operating drill…