Locator Technician for Horizontal Directional Drilling- Fiber Construction

TDS Telecommunications LLC; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 47,086 - 86,154; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Vacation & Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Job summary

TDS Telecommunications LLC is seeking a Locator Technician to support Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) operations for underground utilities. The role involves tracking drill head location, depth, and alignment, with a focus on safety and adherence to project specifications.

The position is full‑time, year‑round, with limited travel and a pay range of $22.62 to $41.42 per hour plus potential bonuses and relocations assistance.

Qualifications

• 6+ months experience in customer service, electrical or utility construction, or with technical certification.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.
• Willing to travel occasionally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain HDD locating equipment to track drill path and depth.
• Communicate with the drill operator to guide bore placement and avoid existing utilities.
• Install, test, and repair buried and aerial fiber lines.
• Operate trenching and lifting equipment as needed.
• Set pedestals, vaults, and other outside plant infrastructure.
• Support fiber splicing and repair activities.
• Restore job sites and maintain accurate project labels and markings.

Skills

Customer service experience

Electrical/utility construction

Technical certification

Valid driver's license

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a skilled and safety-focused Locator Technician to support Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) operations for underground utility construction projects. The HDD Locator is responsible for accurately tracking drill head location, depth, and alignment to ensure successful installation of underground utilities while maintaining compliance with safety standards and project specifications.

This position is full‑time, year‑round, and typically works close to home with only limited travel required for training.

Pay Transparency

The pay for this position ranges from $22.62 to $41.42 per hour. The listed pay range reflects the minimum and maximum base salary. Actual offers will be based on factors such as skills, qualifications, experience, location, and role‑specific competencies. Some positions may also offer additional compensation, such as bonuses or equity awards.

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 and maintain HDD locating equipment to accurately track drill path and depth.
• Communicate continuously with the drill operator to guide bore placement and avoid existing underground utilities.
• 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 6+ months experience in any combination of customer service, electrical or utility construction, technical certification (or higher), current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
• Must follow the TDS attendance guidelines in order to meet TDS’s business needs.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.

Additional Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a Class A CDL. A current CDL is preferred at hire; 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; 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.

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

Associates scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week have access to:

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Generous Vacation & Paid Sick Leave
• Seven Paid National Holidays & One Floating Holiday
• Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks after 12 months of employment)
• Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance
• Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs

Associates working 30 or more hours per week additionally have access to:

• Short‑Term & Long‑Term Disability
• TDS Service Discounts
• Education Assistance
• Paid Volunteer Time

Who is TDS Telecom?

TDS Telecom provides high‑speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a diverse range of communities, including small to mid‑sized urban, suburban, and rural areas across the U.S. With over 50 years of experience, TDS is committed to building and expanding fiber optic networks that bring cutting‑edge connectivity to neighborhoods nationwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At TDS, we are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and value the difference of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives in our workforce. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.