Rigger (Heavy or Tall Tower)

Rigger, Heavy or Tall Tower (HOTT)

International Towers, LLC (ITL) is part of the S&K Technologies, Inc. Family of Companies.

This position requires frequent travel and extended deployments outside the employee's home market. Assignments may last months based on project needs. Work schedules may include days, nights, weekends, holidays, and schedule changes driven by customer, weather, safety, access, or project requirements.

The Rigger, Heavy or Tall Tower (HOTT) performs advanced tower construction, erection, modification, dismantling, and specialty rigging activities on large and complex tower structures. This role builds on the full capability set of a Tower Technician IV and adds specialized experience with heavy or tall tower work, including gin pole operations, crane-assisted work, hydraulic hoist systems, specialty rigging, heavy tower sections, and large equipment placement.

The HOTT Rigger supports new construction builds, major tower modifications, heavy dismantling and demolition work, and other complex tower projects where advanced rigging judgment and real-world field experience are critical. This position applies a strong understanding of the forces created by rigging angles, sling configurations, load paths, hoist systems, crane and gin pole setup, wind conditions, load control, and tower geometry.

The HOTT Rigger identifies unsafe or questionable conditions, follows approved lift plans and engineered procedures, and elevates concerns before work proceeds. This position works in the field for extended periods of time, including deployments that may last weeks or months depending on project needs. The HOTT Rigger works safely at extreme heights, communicates effectively with tower and ground crews, mentors less-experienced tower technicians, and supports ITL's execution of specialized tower work in a safe, professional, and efficient manner.

Heavy and Tall Tower Rigging, Erection, Modification and Dismantling

• Performs advanced tower erection, modification, dismantling, and heavy lift activities on large or complex tower structures, including tall, guyed towers, self-support towers, monopoles, and other elevated structures.
• Uses gin poles, cranes, capstan hoists, hydraulic hoist systems, winches, tag lines, load control systems, and other specialty rigging equipment.
• Rigs, hoists, lands, aligns, secures, and removes heavy tower sections, antenna systems, mounts, platforms, waveguide bridges, appurtenances, and related equipment.
• Follows approved lift plans, engineered procedures, manufacturer instructions, customer requirements, ITL procedures, and applicable tower industry standards.
• Identifies questionable rigging conditions, overloaded configurations, damaged equipment, unsafe anchor points, improper load control, or other conditions that require stoppage, escalation, or further review before work continues.
• Supports both top-side and ground-side rigging activities, including material preparation, equipment staging, load inspection, communication with operators and signal personnel, and lift sequencing.
• Performs work at elevated heights for extended periods of time while maintaining 100% tie-off and strict compliance with all fall protection requirements.

Field Execution and Construction Support

• Performs all duties generally expected of a Tower Technician IV (Top Hand), including tower climbing, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, modifications, grounding work, antenna system support, transmission line support, and closeout support.
• Reads and interprets drawings, construction documents, tower mapping information, rigging plans, lift plans, job specifications, mounting details, testing procedures, and customer requirements.
• Supports ground and civil work associated with tower site construction, tower upgrades, tower removals, and site restoration activities.
• Uses hand tools, power tools, hoists, rigging equipment, test equipment, and industry-specific tools in a safe and competent manner.
• Supports warehouse, yard, and mobilization activities, including loading and unloading trucks and trailers, inspecting and organizing tools and rigging equipment, and preparing equipment for deployment.
• Tracks work activities, documents work performed, supports closeout requirements, and communicates progress, issues, and field conditions to the Foreman, Project Manager, Construction Manager, or other designated manager.
• Works under pressure and meets project deadlines while maintaining a positive, safety-focused, and team-oriented approach.

Safety and Compliance Support

• Promotes, executes, and follows ITL's safety program, customer safety requirements, tower industry standards, and all applicable project-specific safety procedures.
• Participates in daily and weekly safety meetings, pre-task planning, job hazard analyses, lift planning discussions, rescue planning, and site briefings.
• Verifies that rigging equipment, hoisting equipment, fall protection equipment, PPE, and tools are appropriate for the task and in safe usable condition.
• Communicates clearly with crane operators, hoist operators, signal persons, tower crews, ground crews, and supervisors during lifting, lowering, landing, and load control activities.
• Stops work or elevates concerns when conditions appear unsafe, unclear, outside the approved plan, or beyond the capability of the crew, equipment, or procedure.
• Reviews and executes lift plans, rigging plans, rescue plans, and work plans for heavy or tall tower activities.

Leadership, Mentoring, and Crew Support

• Serves as a senior technical resource for tower crews performing complex tower erection, modification, heavy rigging, and dismantling work.
• Provides field-level guidance to Tower Technicians on safe rigging practices, tower climbing practices, material handling, load control, tool usage, and proper execution of the work plan.
• Supports the Tower Foreman or other site leader by helping coordinate top-side and ground-side activities, especially during complex lifts or high-risk work activities.
• Acts as a technical lead or fills in for a Tower Foreman on limited or task-specific work when directed.

Driving, Reporting, Travel, and Deployment Readiness

• Operates company vehicles in accordance with local laws, company policy, project requirements, and safe driving practices.
• Tows trailers and transports tools, rigging equipment, materials, and other project-related items in a competent and safe manner.
• Maintains required driver qualifications, medical card requirements, operator qualifications, and other project-specific requirements as directed.
• Completes daily timecard updates, weekly timecard approvals, work tickets, equipment reports, closeout documentation, assigned training, and other required reporting in a timely and accurate manner.

Education - High school diploma or GED required.

Experience - Meets or exceed the experience, skill, and field capability expectations of a Tower Technician IV. Minimum of five (5) years of direct experience performing heavy or tall tower erection, modification, dismantling, or major tower construction work. Demonstrated experience rigging and utilizing gin poles. Demonstrated experience/familiarity working around and supporting crane setup. Demonstrated experience/familiarity setting up and operating capstan hoists, hydraulic tower hoists. Experience supporting new tower construction builds, tower removals, heavy demos, structural modifications, antenna system installations, grounding work, and closeout activities. Experience operating heavy equipment such as reach forks, lifts, etc.

License, Cert or Registration - Current, clean, and valid driver's license required Ability to obtain a multitude of certifications upon hire to support project needs.

Special knowledge, skills, & abilities - Advanced understanding of tower construction, tower erection, heavy rigging, hoisting, tower modifications, and dismantling methods. Working knowledge of gin pole setup and use, crane-assisted tower work, hydraulic hoist systems, capstan hoists, winches, tag lines, load control, and specialty rigging configurations. Ability to work at elevated heights for extended periods of time while bending, twisting, reaching, climbing, positioning, and performing physically demanding work. Ability to understand and respect the real-world forces created by sling angles, hoist angles, load radius, tower geometry, wind, load shift, friction, and dynamic movement. Ability to follow oral and written directions, plans, specifications, safety procedures, and customer requirements. Knowledge of proper use, inspection, care, and limitations of rigging equipment, fall protection equipment, tools, materials, and supplies. Ability to use hand tools, power tools, hoists, rigging equipment, winches, and industry test equipment. Ability to read and understand drawings, tower mappings, job specifications, mounting details, rigging plans, lift plans, work plans, testing procedures, and contract documents. Ability to work the hours necessary to meet business, customer, and project demands, including periodic extended hours and travel. Experience using MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and project or closeout-related reporting tools. Familiarity with applicable industry standards and best practices, including ANSI/TIA-222, ANSI/ASSP A1