Horizontal Directional Driller - Fiber Construction

TDS Telecommunications LLC

Janesville (WI)

On-site

USD 38,572 - 44,083

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Generous Vacation & Paid Sick Leave

Paid Parental Leave

Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance

Education Assistance

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company in Janesville, Wisconsin is seeking an Outside Plant Construction Technician to operate drilling equipment and install fiber networks. This full-time position involves outdoor work with safety training and a starting pay of $28–$32 per hour, alongside additional benefits like a sign-on bonus and relocation assistance. The ideal candidate should possess strong teamwork skills, attention to safety, and a desire to learn. Flexible schedules available.

Qualifications

6+ months experience in customer service, electrical or utility construction.
Valid driver's license and eligibility for DOT requirements.
Must pass safety training upon hire.

Responsibilities

Operate horizontal directional drill or locator for the drill.
Install, maintain, test, and repair fiber lines.
Set pedestals, vaults, and other plant infrastructure.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Teamwork and Communication

Self-Motivated

Education

Technical certification or higher

Tools

Construction equipment

Job description

Overview

Ready to roll up your sleeves and bring cutting‑edge fiber technology to life? As part of our Horizontal Directional Drilling Team, you'll be at the heart of building and maintaining our state‑of‑the‑art PON/fiber network.

If you enjoy working outdoors, learning high‑demand technical skills, and making a real impact on your community, this role is for you. This position is full‑time, year‑round, and typically works close to home with only limited travel required for training.

Starting pay ranges from $28–$32 per hour, with potential for more based on skills and experience. This role includes a $5,000 sign‑on bonus (payout terms apply) and may qualify for relocation assistance. Outside Plant Construction Technicians can also earn up to $75 per week in incentives when your team meets production targets.

What You’ll Do

Operate horizontal directional drill or locator for the drill.
Install, maintain, test, and repair buried and aerial fiber lines.
Operate construction equipment such as trenchers, plows, excavators, and locators.
Set pedestals, vaults, handholes, and other outside plant infrastructure.
Climb poles, ladders, and structures; operate bucket trucks as needed.
Support fiber splicing and repair activities.
Restore job sites and keep accurate project labels and markings.

Why You’ll Love This Role

Hands‑on, outdoor work building real infrastructure that matters.
Flexible, full‑time year‑round schedule.
Work with a company that has 50+ years of telecom experience and a strong reputation for fiber innovation.

Training

Safety training, pole climbing, bucket truck operation.
Fiber optic basics: fusion splicing, fault detection, OTDR.
Construction equipment operation (drill rigs, trenchers, mini excavators).
CDL training for qualified associates.

The duration of training varies based on the team assignment. Training for underground teams is 3 weeks, with an additional 1 week required for aerial training.

Responsibilities

What We’re Looking For:

Self‑Motivated: You’re driven, ambitious, and always looking for ways to improve.
Attention to Detail: You are committed to following safety protocols, and you take pride in precision, ensuring every measurement and assembly is accurate.
Teamwork and Communication: You have strong communication skills and thrive in collaborative environments.

What You’ll Do (General Construction Tasks)

Aids in transporting construction equipment to and from the worksite.
Assists with and executes the installation of aerial and buried fiber based on maps, staking sheets, and locate markings.
Operates hand tools, cable locators, and testing equipment as needed.
Installs and sets enclosures, including buried and aerial vaults, pedestals, and handholes.
Climbs poles, ladders, towers, and other structures as required, utilizing a bucket truck when necessary.
Labels and marks fiber optic and copper facilities accurately.
Utilizes dispatching applications and relevant tools for project coordination.
Supports fiber splicing, repairs, and outside plant maintenance activities.
Restores landscapes to original condition upon project completion.

The functions listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities; other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

6+ months experience in any combination of the following areas: customer service, electrical or utility construction, -OR-technical certification (or higher) -OR- current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
Must follow the TDS attendance guidelines in order to meet TDS’s business needs including but not limited to our obligations to our customers and to our customers’ needs.
Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.

Other Qualifications

Must have the ability to obtain a Class A CDL. A current CDL is preferred at hire, but TDS will train and certify eligible associates through its in‑house CDL certification program after hire.
Physical requirements may vary based on company needs: Ability to climb poles, ladders, towers, and other structures as needed. Ability to kneel, dig, lift, and pull.
Upon hire, must successfully pass all components of the Safety Training course curriculum.
Upon hire, must successfully complete customer‑specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer.
Horizontal directional drilling experience preferred.
Basic understanding of telecommunication products and services.
Proven organizational skills and ability to multi‑task.
May require occasional travel.
Must be willing to work overtime as needed. May be required to work various/swing shifts as business needs dictate.
Must be able to operate vehicles with manual transmissions.

Do you meet the Required Qualifications but are unsure if your experience aligns with the Other Qualifications? We encourage you to apply! Research shows that many candidates hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the qualifications, even when they possess the skills and experience needed to succeed in the role. Experience and skills come in many forms, and they may not always match exactly what’s listed on paper, but they can still lead to success. If you meet the Required Qualifications and believe you have the potential to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply today!

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This role involves frequent physical activity, including standing, walking, kneeling, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds regularly (occasionally over 100 pounds). Vision requirements include close, distance, color, and depth perception. Work conditions often include outdoor weather, attics, crawl spaces, and high‑risk areas like high voltage zones, trenches, and manholes. Exposure to heavy equipment, fumes, vibration, extreme temperatures, and loud noise is common.

Benefits

We believe in taking care of our team, which is why we offer comprehensive benefits to support your health, financial well‑being, and overall happiness. Join us and experience a work environment where your well‑being is a top priority!