Directional Drilling Locator

The Contractor Consultants; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Overtime opportunities

Bonus opportunities

Per diem/travel support

Company vehicle access

Tool/support/replacement program

Job summary

SNAM Communications Inc. is seeking a Directional Drilling Locator to support horizontal directional drilling operations across telecommunications infrastructure projects in Utah.

The Locator is the drill operator's eyes underground, guiding the bore to maintain depth, pitch, direction, and trajectory while avoiding utilities. Strong safety mindset and clear communication with the crew are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of hands‑on HDD locating experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of horizontal directional drilling operations.
• Experience reading pitch, depth, direction, and bore trajectory.
• Ability to calculate and anticipate changes in bore path.
• Strong understanding of underground utility safety.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work continuously with the drill operator.
• Safety‑first and team‑oriented mindset.
• Willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Locate and track the drill head throughout each bore.
• Monitor depth, pitch, direction, and bore trajectory.
• Communicate continuously with the drill operator throughout drilling operations.
• Use DigiTrak Falcon F5 or comparable locating equipment.
• Interpret bore plans and calculate required depth, pitch, steering adjustments, and approach angles.
• Anticipate upcoming changes in elevation and direction before the drill reaches them.
• Cross-reference 811 utility markings with exposed utilities and field conditions.
• Stop or redirect work when utility information, locating signals, or actual field conditions do not match expectations.
• Help prevent utility strikes involving gas, electric, communications, water, and other underground infrastructure.
• Maintain accurate communication during difficult soil conditions, signal interference, deep bores, and complex crossings.
• Support crew productivity while maintaining safety as the first priority.
• Assist the crew with other field responsibilities when appropriate.
• Travel throughout Utah based on project requirements.

Skills

HDD locating

Communication with drill operator

Safety‑first

Travel willingness

Tools

DigiTrak Falcon F5

Job description

Directional Drilling Locator – Support Underground Utility Construction for Snam Communications Inc

Company: SNAM Communications Inc.

Location: Utah – Salt Lake City area with travel to project sites throughout the state

Pay: 30–40 per hour, based on experience

Employment Type: Full-Time

Travel: Regular project travel required; overnight travel may be necessary

The Opportunity

SNAM Communications is hiring an experienced Directional Drilling Locator to support horizontal directional drilling operations across telecommunications infrastructure projects in Utah.

The Locator is one of the most critical members of the drill crew. You serve as the drill operator's eyes underground and are responsible for helping guide the bore safely around existing utilities while maintaining the correct depth, pitch, direction, and trajectory.

This role requires strong technical judgment, communication skills, situational awareness, and the ability to think several steps ahead.

What You’ll Do

• Locate and track the drill head throughout each bore.
• Monitor depth, pitch, direction, and bore trajectory.
• Communicate continuously with the drill operator throughout drilling operations.
• Use DigiTrak Falcon F5 or comparable locating equipment.
• Interpret bore plans and calculate required depth, pitch, steering adjustments, and approach angles.
• Anticipate upcoming changes in elevation and direction before the drill reaches them.
• Cross-reference 811 utility markings with exposed utilities and field conditions.
• Stop or redirect work when utility information, locating signals, or actual field conditions do not match expectations.
• Help prevent utility strikes involving gas, electric, communications, water, and other underground infrastructure.
• Maintain accurate communication during difficult soil conditions, signal interference, deep bores, and complex crossings.
• Support crew productivity while maintaining safety as the first priority.
• Assist the crew with other field responsibilities when appropriate.
• Travel throughout Utah based on project requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of hands‑on HDD locating experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of horizontal directional drilling operations.
• Experience reading pitch, depth, direction, and bore trajectory.
• Ability to calculate and anticipate changes in bore path.
• Strong understanding of underground utility safety.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work continuously with the drill operator.
• Safety‑first and team‑oriented mindset.
• Willingness to travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of directional drilling locating experience.
• DigiTrak Falcon F5 experience.
• Experience locating near high‑pressure gas, electrical, and other critical utilities.
• Previous drill‑operation experience.
• CDL.
• Experience in telecommunications or underground utility infrastructure construction.

Compensation & Benefits

• 30–40 per hour depending on experience.
• Weekly pay.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Performance and annual bonus opportunities.
• Potential sign‑on bonus for highly qualified candidates.
• Employee referral bonus program.
• Project‑completion bonus opportunities.
• Prevailing‑wage projects when applicable.
• Paid time off based on eligibility.
• Per diem, lodging, or project travel support when applicable.
• Training and manufacturer certification opportunities.
• Company vehicle access when appropriate.
• Tool support/replacement program.

What Success Looks Like

The best Locator is calm, analytical, safety‑driven, and constantly thinking ahead. You understand that the drill operator relies on your information to make decisions they cannot make visually from the machine.

You must be able to recognize when something is wrong, stop the operation when necessary, and communicate clearly enough to protect the crew, surrounding utilities, equipment, and project.

About SNAM Communications

SNAM Communications Inc. is a telecommunications infrastructure construction company supporting underground and aerial network projects. Our underground teams perform directional drilling, conduit installation, utility exposure, and related infrastructure work across Utah. Learn more at https://snamcomm.com/.

Snam Communications Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job‑related factors.