Fiber Construction Horizontal Directional Driller (HDD) III

About the role

TDS Telecom is seeking a Telecom Horizontal Directional Driller (HDD) III to join our Construction and Service Enablement team. This role is based in Meridian, ID and involves installing, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing fiber facilities to keep customers connected. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of construction equipment operation experience or equivalent military service.

Responsibilities

• Assist with communicating job duties and responsibilities to internal construction crews.
• Focus on crew efficiencies, ensuring assigned tasks are completed.
• Train, monitor, and coach team members to safely perform assigned tasks with related construction equipment.
• Perform quality control inspections of construction crew work.
• Ensure safety protocols are enforced.
• Work with forepersons to ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Operate trenchers, backhoes, end loaders, plows, and other excavating equipment.
• Operate Horizontal Directional Drills.
• Locate cable and fiber and other utilities as required by construction activity.
• Perform landscape restoration after project completion.
• Engage municipalities, utility companies, suppliers, contractors, and property owners to coordinate project tasks and avoid disputes.
• Receive maps and staking sheets and ensure construction project is built.
• Review, update, and assist with the recording of GIS, maps, addresses, and as-builds.
• Set pedestals, vaults, and handholes along with marking/labeling fiber optic and/or copper facilities.
• Coordinate with Sr Outside Plant Construction Tech to ensure availability of materials and equipment.
• Place new aerial and buried fiber according to maps, staking sheets, and locate markings.
• Service, clean, maintain, and repair equipment.
• Check DOT logs and review condition of trucks and trailers on job site to ensure all vehicles meet DOT standards.
• Report any issues to Sr Outside Plant Construction Tech.
• Complete all related paperwork in a timely manner.
• Aid Field Services technicians, as needed.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of construction equipment operation utilizing various underground and aerial construction equipment such as directional drills, trencher/plow/rocksaw, backhoe, or bucket trucks -OR- current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.
• Ability to obtain a Class A CDL.
• Must follow TDS attendance guidelines.
• Prefer 3+ months’ experience with utility location.
• Prefer 2+ years’ experience in the construction of fiber optic cable outside plant networks -OR- 2+ years installation of any underground or overhead utilities.
• Understanding of telecommunication products and services.
• Horizontal directional drilling experience preferred.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to multi-task.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Generous Vacation & Paid Sick Leave
• Seven Paid National Holidays & One Floating Holiday
• Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks after 12 months of employment)
• Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance
• Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs
• TDS Service Discounts

Pay

The pay for this position ranges from $27.62 to $41.42 per hour. The listed pay range reflects the minimum and maximum base salary. Actual offers will be based on factors such as skills, qualifications, experience, location, and role-specific competencies. Some positions may also offer additional compensation, such as bonuses or equity awards.