Horizontal Directional Driller - Fiber Construction

About the role

As part of our Horizontal Directional Drilling Team, you'll be at the heart of building and maintaining our state-of-the-art PON/fiber network. This position is full‑time, year‑round, with a few weeks travel required for training. From installing buried and aerial fiber facilities to mastering construction equipment like trenchers, backhoes, end loaders, and plows, you'll make a real impact every day. You'll also install, test, troubleshoot, and repair fiber facilities to keep our customers connected.

What You'll Do

• Operate horizontal directional drill or locate for the drill.
• Restore job sites and keep accurate project labels and markings.
• Support fiber splicing and repair activities.
• Climb poles, ladders, and structures; operate bucket trucks as needed.
• Install, maintain, test, and repair buried and aerial fiber lines.
• Operate construction equipment such as trenchers, plows, excavators, and locators.
• Set pedestals, vaults, handholes, and other outside plant infrastructure.
• Conduct general construction tasks in various weather conditions, adhering to safety standards.
• Aid in transporting construction equipment to and from the worksite.
• Assist with and execute the installation of aerial and buried fiber based on maps, staking sheets, and locate markings.
• Operate hand tools, cable locators, and testing equipment as needed.
• Install and set enclosures, including buried and aerial vaults, pedestals, and handholes.
• Utilize dispatching applications and relevant tools for project coordination.
• Restore landscapes to original condition upon project completion.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 6+ months experience in any combination of the following areas: customer service, electrical or utility construction, OR technical certification (or higher) OR current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
• Must follow attendance guidelines in order to meet business needs including obligations to customers.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.
• Must have the ability to obtain a Class A CDL (a current CDL is preferred at hire, but TDS will train and certify eligible associates through its in-house CDL certification program after hire).
• Upon hire, must successfully pass all components of the Safety Training course curriculum.
• Upon hire, must successfully complete customer-specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer.
• Must be willing to work overtime as needed.
• May be required to work various/swing shifts as business needs dictate.
• Must be able to operate vehicles with manual transmissions.

Other Qualifications

• Horizontal directional drilling experience preferred.
• Basic understanding of telecommunication products and services.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• May require occasional travel.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Frequent physical activity including standing, walking, kneeling, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds regularly (occasionally over 100 pounds).
• Vision requirements include close, distance, color, and depth perception.
• Work conditions often include outdoor weather, attics, crawl spaces, and high-risk areas like high voltage zones, trenches, and manholes.
• Exposure to heavy equipment, fumes, vibration, extreme temperatures, and loud noise is common.

Pay

• Pay range: $22.62 to $41.42 per hour.
• $5,000 sign‑on bonus (payout terms apply).
• May qualify for relocation assistance.
• Up to $75 per week in incentives when your team meets production targets.

Benefits

Associates scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week have access to:

• 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

Associates working 30 or more hours per week additionally have access to:

• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• TDS Service Discounts
• Education Assistance
• Paid Volunteer Time

All associates have the opportunity to participate in our Associate Resource Groups, which are designed to encourage community and facilitate professional development.

Training

• CDL training for qualified associates.
• Safety training, pole climbing, bucket truck operation.
• Fiber optic basics: fusion splicing, fault detection, OTDR.
• Construction equipment operation (drill rigs, trenchers, mini excavators).
• Training for underground teams is 3 weeks, with an additional 1 week required for aerial training.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.