HDD Laborer

Job Description

Job Description

HDD Ground Hand
Department: OSP Services
Pay: $17–$22/hour, based on experience
Travel Area: Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas

Position Summary

We are seeking a dependable, safety-focused HDD Ground Hand to support Horizontal Directional Drilling crews installing underground telecommunications, fiber optic, and utility infrastructure.

This is a hands-on construction role supporting HDD Drillers and Locators with drill setup, conduit installation, utility verification, potholing, tooling changes, equipment staging, material handling, and job site safety. The ideal candidate is comfortable working outdoors, performing physically demanding work, and traveling to project locations as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist HDD Drillers and Locators with daily drilling operations and job site activities.
• Spot for mini excavator and hydrovac operators during potholing activities around existing underground utilities.
• Assist with utility verification and exposure using approved excavation methods.
• Support the setup, operation, and breakdown of HDD equipment and support vehicles.
• Assist with changing drill heads, reamers, swivels, pulling assemblies, and other HDD tooling.
• Set up conduit, pull heads, swivels, and related equipment for HDPE conduit pullback.
• Support conduit handling, staging, coupling/fusion preparation, and installation.
• Load, unload, transport, and organize materials, tools, equipment, and drilling supplies.
• Safely handle drilling rods, tooling, drilling fluids, and construction materials.
• Assist with mixing drilling fluids and maintaining drilling fluid systems.
• Read and understand utility locates, construction plans, and project specifications.
• Maintain proper clearance from underground and overhead utilities.
• Assist with traffic control, site setup, restoration, and cleanup.
• Perform hand digging to expose utilities, complete tie-ins, and support construction activities.
• Conduct daily inspections of tools, equipment, and vehicles.
• Promptly report equipment issues, maintenance needs, utility conflicts, and safety concerns.
• Follow OSHA requirements, safety policies, customer requirements, and damage-prevention laws.
• Travel to project locations as required.

Required Qualifications

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work safely in underground utility, telecommunications, or construction environments.
• Basic knowledge of construction tools and equipment.
• Ability to understand utility locate markings and damage-prevention practices.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a fast-paced construction crew.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Willingness to work overtime and occasional weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting HDD, telecommunications, fiber optic, or utility construction projects.
• Class A or Class B CDL.
• Experience working around underground utilities.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• Experience operating mini excavators, skid steers, vacuum excavators, or loaders.
• Experience with HDPE conduit installation or fiber optic construction.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb throughout the workday.
• Ability to perform repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing, and digging.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying terrain and weather conditions.
• Ability to work near active construction equipment and utility infrastructure.
• Ability to repeatedly enter and exit construction vehicles and equipment.

Compensation & Benefits

• $17–$22/hour, based on experience.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Career advancement opportunities within telecommunications construction.

At Swoon, we believe the future is built by great teams working on the technologies that keep the world running. That’s why we focus on more than just filling roles. We help companies build the right teams at the right time – teams that move big ideas forward.

Across the US and Canada, leading organizations trust us to leverage our expertise to help them build, secure, and scale the technologies that are shaping tomorrow. The result isn’t just successful hires. It’s a hiring journey that’s as rewarding as the outcome: teams that thrive, cultures that grow stronger, and results that exceed expectations.

Because at the end of the day, we exist to help companies and people achieve their boldest ambitions.

Company Description

At Swoon, we believe the future is built by great teams working on the technologies that keep the world running. That’s why we focus on more than just filling roles. We help companies build the right teams at the right time – teams that move big ideas forward.\r\n\r\nAcross the US and Canada, leading organizations trust us to leverage our expertise to help them build, secure, and scale the technologies that are shaping tomorrow. The result isn’t just successful hires. It’s a hiring journey that’s as rewarding as the outcome: teams that thrive, cultures that grow stronger, and results that exceed expectations.\r\n\r\nBecause at the end of the day, we exist to help companies and people achieve their boldest ambitions.