Horizontal Directional Driller - Fiber Construction (Hiring Immediately)

Overview : Ready to roll up your sleeves and bring cutting-edge fiber technology to life? 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. If you have exeprience with horizontal directional drilling or locating for the drill, and want to be based close to home, this role is for you. This position is full‑time, year‑round, with a few weeks travel required for training. Pay Transparency The pay for this position ranges from *$22.62 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. This role includes a $5,000 sign‑on bonus (payout terms apply) and may qualify for relocation assistance. Outside Plant Construction Technicians can also earn up to $75 per week in incentives when your team meets production targets. 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. If you love working with your hands, being outdoors, and making a difference in your community, this is the role for you! 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.

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Flexible, full‑time year‑round schedule.
• Hands‑on, outdoor work building real infrastructure that matters.
• Work with a company that has 50+ years of telecom experience and a strong reputation for fiber innovation.

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).

The duration of training varies based on the team assignment. Training for underground teams is 3 weeks, with an additional 1 week required for aerial training. Responsibilities : What We're Looking For:

• Self-Motivated : You're driven, ambitious, and always looking for ways to improve.
• Attention to Detail : You are committed to following safety protocols, and you take pride in precision, ensuring every measurement and assembly is accurate.
• Teamwork and Communication : You have strong communication skills and thrive in collaborative environments.

What You'll Do: Conduct general construction tasks in various weather conditions, adhering to safety standards.

• Aids in transporting construction equipment to and from the worksite.
• Assists with and executes the installation of aerial and buried fiber based on maps, staking sheets, and locate markings.
• Operates hand tools, cable locators, and testing equipment as needed.
• Installs and sets enclosures, including buried and aerial vaults, pedestals, and handholes.
• Climbs poles, ladders, towers, and other structures as required, utilizing a bucket truck when necessary.
• Labels and marks fiber optic and copper facilities accurately.
• Utilizes dispatching applications and relevant tools for project coordination.
• Supports fiber splicing, repairs, and outside plant maintenance activities.
• Restores landscapes to original condition upon project completion.

The functions listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities; other duties may be assigned. TDS Telecom