Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Locator

Apex Systems; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

ESPP

401K

HSA

Career coaching

Certification discounts

Job summary

Apex Systems is seeking a Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Locator in Carson City, NV. The role requires guiding the drill head, tracking it with a receiver, and communicating depth, pitch, and alignment to the drill operator.

This is a direct-hire position with a telecommunications contractor in underground fiber construction. The successful candidate will work onsite, travel may be required, and must have HDD locating experience with platforms like DigiTrak, Subsite or Falcon.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience locating for an HDD crew or closely related underground utility locating experience.
• Ability to read construction drawings and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong communication skills essential for coordinating with HDD Operator and crew.
• Valid driver’s license and legal authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Locate and track the drill head using locating equipment throughout drilling operations.
• Communicate depth, pitch, and alignment information clearly to the HDD Operator.
• Verify bore path complies with approved plans and utility clearance requirements.
• Monitor bore progress to prevent conflicts with existing utilities or structures.
• Manage signal interference and recalibrate equipment as site conditions change.
• Review utility locates, one-call markings, and site plans prior to drilling.
• Maintain awareness of underground risks and stop work if unsafe conditions arise.
• Record bore data, depths, and alignment details for as-built documentation.

Skills

HDD locator experience

read construction drawings

effective communication

valid driver’s license

Education

OSHA 10 or OSHA 30

Tools

DigiTrak

Subsite

Falcon

CDL

Job description

Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Locator

Job #: 3046856

Location: carson city, Nevada (Onsite)

Role Overview

This position is for a Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Locator on behalf of a telecommunications infrastructure contractor engaged in building underground fiber networks. This is a direct-hire role where the selected candidate will be an employee of the contractor from the start. The primary responsibility is to guide the drill head during boring operations by tracking it with a receiver and communicating depth, pitch, and alignment to the drill operator. This is a critical role on a bore crew, distinct from standalone utility locating or damage prevention.

Key Responsibilities

• Locate and track the drill head using locating equipment throughout drilling operations.
• Communicate depth, pitch, and alignment information clearly and continuously to the HDD Operator.
• Verify the bore path complies with approved plans and utility clearance requirements.
• Monitor bore progress to prevent conflicts with existing utilities or structures.
• Manage signal interference and recalibrate equipment when site conditions degrade tracking.
• Review utility locates, one-call markings, and site plans prior to drilling.
• Maintain awareness of underground risks and stop work if unsafe conditions arise.
• Record bore data, depths, and alignment details to support as-built documentation.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must possess hands‑on experience locating for an HDD crew or have closely related underground utility locating experience. A working knowledge of at least one locating platform (such as DigiTrak, Subsite, or Falcon) is necessary. The role requires a solid understanding of bore guidance, the ability to read construction drawings, and effective communication skills. A valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and legal authorization to work in the United States are mandatory. Candidates must be 18 years of age or older and able to pass a pre‑employment background check and drug screen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as an HDD Locator, with two or more years on a production bore crew.
• Experience with multiple locating platforms (DigiTrak, Subsite, Falcon).
• Background in telecom, fiber, or outside plant construction.
• Experience managing interference in congested utility corridors.
• 811 or utility damage prevention background.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• Flagger, traffic control, or trenching and excavation training.
• Class A or Class B CDL.

Work Environment

This is a physically demanding field role performed almost entirely on foot. The position requires walking the length of a bore path repeatedly across uneven ground and working outdoors year‑round in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, and wind. The work involves lifting up to 50 pounds, as well as standing, bending, and kneeling for a full shift. Crews operate in rural and high desert environments, and some assignments may require travel. The employer provides all necessary locating equipment, work vehicles, and safety gear, including protective equipment for rural work areas.

Benefits Overview

• Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection.
• We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure.
• Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts.
• In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA.
• Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach.
• You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Equal Opportunity

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.