Directional Driller (HDD) - Fiber Optic & Gas Pipelines

The Staff Pad; West Virginia; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Overtime paid

Insurance benefits

Paid holidays & vacation

Vacation accrual

Job summary

The Staff Pad is hiring a Directional Driller (HDD) to lead horizontal directional drilling operations for fiber optic and natural gas projects in Tyler, TX. The role involves setup, operation, and pullback of HDD rigs, bore path maintenance, and safety compliance on active job sites.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years of HDD experience, ability to read bore plans, and knowledge of drilling fluids. CDL and OQ for gas work are preferred; bilingual skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of horizontal directional drilling experience operating the rig.
• Proven experience boring for fiber optic conduit, natural gas main and service, or both.
• Ability to maintain line, depth, and grade on specified bore lengths and diameters.
• Working knowledge of drilling fluid mixing and regional soil conditions.
• Ability to read prints, bore plans, and utility locate markings.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and maintain rigs within the specified size or class range.
• Review bore plans, prints, and utility locates before drilling begins.
• Drill pilot bores to the designed line, depth, and grade with locator communication.
• Change downhole tooling based on soil conditions.
• Mix, monitor, and manage drilling fluids based on ground conditions.
• Monitor and prevent returns and frac-outs; perform containment and cleanup when needed.
• Ream and pull back conduit to the specified size.
• Verify potholing and maintain clearance from utilities.
• Complete bore logs, as-built records, and daily production reports.
• Perform daily equipment inspections and report repairs.

Skills

Horizontal directional drilling

Rig operation

Reading prints & bore plans

Drilling fluids management

Safety compliance

Tools

Ditch Witch

Vermeer

American Augers

Job description

The Staff Pad is hiring a Directional Driller (HDD) to lead horizontal directional drilling operations for fiber optic and natural gas projects in Tyler, TX. The role involves setup, operation, and pullback of HDD rigs, bore path maintenance, and safety compliance on active job sites.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years of HDD experience, ability to read bore plans, and knowledge of drilling fluids. CDL and OQ for gas work are preferred; bilingual skills are a plus.