Horizontal Directional Drill Operator

Telecon

Portland (OR)

On-site

USD 48,000 - 62,000

Full time

7 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Weekly Pay

Full-Time Year-Round Work

Medical, Dental & Vision – Cigna/Guard

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off & 10 Holidays

Company-Paid Life/AD&D/Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Company Discount Program

Employee Referral Program

Voluntary Benefits Available

Sign-On Bonus – $1,000

Job summary

Telecon is seeking a Horizontal Directional Drill Operator (HDD) in Portland, Oregon. This local role involves running HDD rigs on mainline installs and road crossings, collaborating with a locator to underground cables. You’ll be home nightly, with a crew of 4–6 and opportunities to advance to foreman or supervisor.

Responsibilities include equipment checks, mud mixing, bore planning, and precise drilling in cobble ground. CDL and safety commitment are required; benefits are provided.

Qualifications

1+ years as the primary operator of a directional drill.
HDD experience on underground utility installs; fiber, natural gas, pipeline, and electrical work all count.
Ability to read bore plans and mix drilling fluid independently from day one.
Working knowledge of drill pipe bend radius, grade calculations, and reamer sizing.
Ability to drill patiently in cobble and difficult ground.
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
Working knowledge of OSHA requirements and safety commitment.
Clear communication under production pressure as part of a crew.

Responsibilities

Operate the directional drill on mainline installs and road crossings, selecting bore heads and back reamers.
Work with the locator to keep the bore on plan and clear of utilities.
Prepare drilling fluid based on soil and site conditions, including cobble.
Load, unload, and secure the drill, tools, materials, and equipment; transport if CDL holder.
Complete daily equipment inspections; driver logbook and vehicle inspections for CDL holders.
Keep equipment and trucks clean and maintained; troubleshoot with a service tech.
Complete maintenance, repair, and incident reports accurately.
Support other crew tasks as directed by Foreman or Supervisor.

Skills

Directional drill operator

Read bore plans

OSHA safety knowledge

CDL holder (driver's license)

Team communication

Job description

Oregon

Horizontal Directional Drill Operator (HDD)

Job Location:

Portland

State/Province

Oregon

Horizontal Directional Drill Operator (HDD)

Every bore you finish puts fiber in the ground that a community depends on – this is what lies behind Telecon's promise to connect people. If you've spent at least a year as the main operator on a directional drill and want to keep doing it close to home, this role is for you. You'll run a Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) rig on mainline installs and road crossings, working with your locator to place duct and cable underground. Days start with equipment checks and site setup. From there you'll mix drill fluid for the ground you're in, steer the bore, pull back product, then load out and log the day. Bores run from about 50 to 500 feet, and most of the ground is cobble, so patience matters. You'll work on a crew of 4 to 6 with a foreman, locator, vac operator, and laborers. This is a local role, not a traveling crew, and you're home every night. Drillers here have a path to foreman and supervisor roles with a proven track record. This role is for drillers who've been in the seat as their main job, not jumping on a rig now and then. You'll need to read bore plans, mix mud for the conditions, and know your bend radius and grade math cold. If you show up prepared, keep your equipment in good shape, and stay patient in tough ground, this is steady local work worth a look.

Quick Facts

Location: Job sites in Vancouver, Oregon City, Salem, Keizer and surrounding areas.
Wage: $35.00 – $45.00 per hour DOE
Shift/Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., no weekends

Responsibilities

Operate the directional drill on mainline installs and road crossings, selecting bore heads and back reamers to place cable and/or duct along the planned bore path
Work with the locator to keep the bore on plan and clear of existing utilities
Prepare drilling fluid based on soil and site conditions, including cobble, before boring begins
Load, unload, and secure the drill, tools, materials, and equipment safely and damage-free, and transport the drill if you hold a CDL
Complete daily equipment inspections before starting work; CDL holders also complete driver logbook and vehicle inspections (pre-trip, en-route, post-trip)
Keep equipment and trucks clean and maintained, troubleshoot issues, and relay them to a service technician for support or repair
Complete maintenance, repair, accident, and incident reports accurately
Support other crew tasks as directed by Foreman or Supervisor

Required Qualifications

1+ years as the primary operator of a directional drill, with drilling as your main day-to-day role
HDD experience on underground utility installs; fiber, natural gas, pipeline, and electrical work all count (vertical oil, gas, or water well drilling is not a match)
Ability to read bore plans and prints and mix drilling fluid independently from day one
Working knowledge of drill pipe bend radius, grade calculations, and reamer sizing
Ability to drill patiently and effectively in cobble and other difficult ground
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
Working knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and a strong commitment to safety
Clear communication and ability to perform under production pressure as part of a crew

Preferred Qualifications

Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement

This position requires successful completion of a background check, motor vehicle record (MVR) review, Department of Transportation (DOT) Clearinghouse query, and pre-employment drug screening, as applicable.

Physical Requirements

This role requires the ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including operating drill controls for extended periods, handling drill rods, bore heads, and reamers, loading and securing equipment, and walking uneven job sites. Employees must be able to safely lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Work Environment

This role is primarily performed outdoors on active job sites, including road crossings, with regular exposure to weather, heavy equipment, noise, drilling fluid, and roadway traffic. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Benefits

Weekly Pay
Full-Time Year-Round Work
Medical, Dental & Vision – Cigna and Guardian, HSA-eligible option available
401(k) with Company Match – 100% on your first 1%, plus 50% on the next 5% contributed
Paid Time Off & 10 Paid Holidays
Company-Paid Life, AD&D, and Short- & Long-Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program – Confidential support anytime, anywhere, for stress, sleep, financial concerns, and more
Company Discount Program – Savings on insurance, wireless, travel, entertainment, and more
Employee Referral Program
Voluntary Benefits Available – Accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, identity theft, legal
Sign-On Bonus – $1,000

WELCOME TO TELECON

We Connect People. We Connect the World.

Our mission is to be the most innovative and valued communications infrastructure services partner to our customers, enabling them to play a key role in the transformation of infrastructure. From a regional telecom network builder in 1967 in Quebec (Canada), Telecon has grown into a world-class industry-leading telecom network design, locate, infrastructure and connectivity services provider. We deliver diversified and scalable best-in-class services and turnkey solutions to North American telecom operators and businesses. Our highly skilled team is firmly committed to supporting our customers in propelling tomorrow's connectivity in our communities, businesses and homes. Learn more at telecon.com.

Telecon values different views and new ideas, and is committed to providing a fair, inclusive, equitable, accessible, and respectful workplace for all as an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request throughout the application and interview process.

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