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 operating various construction equipment and performing fiber optic installations and repairs.

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.
• Assist 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.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Preferred 3+ months’ experience with utility location.
• Preferred 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.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must also be able to climb poles, ladders, towers or other structures. The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and may have to work in attics and crawl spaces, or high-risk areas such as high voltage electrical, trenches, and manholes. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is at times loud.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, financial well-being, and overall happiness. Benefits include medical coverage, dental coverage, vision coverage, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, generous vacation and paid sick leave, seven paid national holidays, one floating holiday, paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy assistance, employee assistance and wellness programs, and discounts on TDS services. Additionally, we provide opportunities for professional development through our Associate Resource Groups.

Pay

The pay for this position ranges from $27.62 to $41.42 per hour. 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.