Directional Drill Operator -Telecommunications

Sunstall Inc.; Fridley (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunstall Inc. seeks a skilled Drill Operator to safely and efficiently operate directional drilling and locating equipment on outdoor sites in Minnesota. You will lead a crew, perform pre-job inspections, and ensure utilities are properly located and protected before drilling.

The role requires CDL with tanker endorsement, 1+ year of directional drilling experience, and a strong safety mindset. Weekend and overtime work may be required depending on project demands.

Qualifications

• Valid driver's license (CDL with Tanker Endorsement required).
• 1+ year of experience operating directional drilling or locating equipment.
• Knowledge of underground constructions safety procedures and locate compliance laws.
• Ability to read and interpret job prints, bore maps, and route plans.

Responsibilities

• Operate directional drilling and locating equipment to complete planned bore paths.
• Conduct pre-jobsite inspections and ensure utilities are properly located and potholed before drilling.
• Navigate and drill around existing utilities, waterlines, and subsurface structures safely.
• Perform daily equipment inspections and preventive maintenance on the drill, truck, and support trailer.
• Follow all manufacturers' safety guidelines and industry best practices.
• Lead setup and teardown of jobsites, including signage, cones, and barricades.
• Direct and mentor crew members in bore gel mixing, equipment setup, and conduit placement.

Skills

Leadership

Team communication

Reading prints & bore maps

Tools

DitchWitch

Vermeer

CDL with Tanker Endorsement

Job description

PositionDescription

TheDrillOperatorisresponsibleforsafelyandefficientlyoperatingdirectionaldrillingandlocatingequipmentusedtoinstallundergroundconduit,fiber,andrelatedsystems.Thispositionrequiresahighleveloftechnicalskill,attentiontosafety,andtheabilitytoleadandcommunicateeffectivelywithinacrew.DrillOperatorsplayakeyroleinmaintainingproductionstandards,equipmentmaintenance,andoveralljobsiteperformance.

CoreResponsibilities

• Operatedirectionaldrillingandlocatingequipment(DitchWitch,Vermeer,orequivalent)tocompleteplannedborepaths.
• Conductpre-jobsiteinspectionsandensureallutilitiesareproperlylocatedandpotholedbeforedrilling.
• Navigateanddrillaroundexistingutilities,waterlines,andothersubsurfacestructuressafely.
• Performdailyequipmentinspectionsandpreventativemaintenanceonthedrill,truck,andsupporttrailer.
• Followallmanufacturersafetyguidelinesandindustrybestpractices.
• Leadsetupandteardownofjobsites,includingsignage,cones,andbarricades.
• Directandmentorcrewmembersinboregelmixing,equipmentsetup,andconduitplacement.
• Maintainaccuratedailyproductionlogsandas-builtdocumentation.
• Driveandtransportthedrillandsupportequipmenttoandfromjobsites.
• Keepequipmentandvehiclesclean,organized,andwellmaintained.

RequiredQualifications&Experience

• Valid driver's license(CDLAwithTankerEndorsementrequired).
• 1+yearofexperienceoperatingdirectionaldrillingorlocatingequipment.
• Provenknowledgeofundergroundconstructionsafetyproceduresandlocatecompliancelaws.
• Abilitytoreadandinterpretjobprints,boremaps,androuteplans.
• Willingnesstoworkinaphysicallydemandingoutdoorenvironment.

PreferredExperience

• ExperiencewithbothDitchWitchandVermeerequipmentmodels.
• Familiaritywithutilityconstructionstandards,borefluids,andrestorationprocesses.
• Strongcommunicationandleadershipabilitieswithinafieldcrew.
• Mechanicalaptitudeandtroubleshootingskillsforfield-basedissues.

PhysicalDemands&Competencies

• Regularliftingof50-75lbs.,frequentbending,stooping,andrepetitivephysicaltasks.
• Abilitytoworkoutdoorsyear-roundinvaryingweatherconditions.
• Manualdexterityandcoordinationforsafeequipmentoperation.
• Demonstratesdependability,safetyfocus,andteamleadership.

WorkEnvironment

• Thispositionoperatesinoutdoorfieldconditionsyear-round,includingexposuretoheat,cold,rain,andsnow.
• Worksitesmayinvolvemud,uneventerrain,liveutilities,andmovingtraffic.
• ProperPPEandadherencetosafetyprotocolsaremandatoryatalltimes.

WorkSchedule

• Full-time,non-exemptposition.
• TypicalscheduleisMonday-Friday,withoccasionalevenings,weekends,ornightworkasrequiredbyprojectdemands.
• Regularattendanceandflexibilityareessential.

Training&DevelopmentExpectations

NewHireDevelopment:

• CompleteUniversalServicessafety,CDL,andequipmentoperationtrainingmoduleswithinthefirst90days.
• Demonstrateproficiencyinboreplanning,locating,anddrillingprocedures.
• Maintainaccuratedailyrecordsandcommunicateeffectivelywithcrewandsupervisors.

OngoingDevelopment:

• Participateinongoingsafety,equipmentmaintenance,andleadershiptraining.
• Cross-trainasalocatorandmentornewoperators.
• ContinuedevelopingleadershipandcoordinationskillsinpreparationforadvancementtoForeman.