Locator Technician for Horizontal Directional Drilling- Fiber Construction

TDS Telecom; Sheboygan (WI); On-site; USD 31,161 - 57,060; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Generous Vacation & Paid Sick Leave

Seven Paid National Holidays & One S.F

Paid Parental Leave

Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance

Employee Assistance & Wellness

Job summary

TDS Telecom is hiring a Locator Technician for Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) in Wisconsin locations including Plymouth, Sheboygan, and Fond du Lac. The role focuses on tracking drill head location, depth, and alignment to install underground fiber while following safety standards.

This is a full-time, year-round position with limited travel and a competitive pay range. Benefits include a $5,000 sign-on bonus, potential relocation assistance, and incentives up to $75 per week if targets

Qualifications

• 6+ months experience in customer service, electrical or utility construction, a technical certification, or current/military service with honorable discharge.
• Must follow attendance guidelines to meet business needs.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain HDD locating equipment to track drill path and depth.
• Communicate with drill operator to guide bore placement and avoid existing underground utilities.
• Install, maintain, test, and repair buried and aerial fiber lines.
• Operate 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.
• Conduct general construction tasks in various weather conditions, adhering to safety standards.
• Assist in transporting construction equipment to and from the worksite.
• Execute installation of aerial and buried fiber based on maps and locate markings.
• Operate hand tools, cable locators, and testing equipment as needed.
• Install and set enclosures, including buried and aerial vaults, pedestals, and handholes.
• Label and mark fiber optic facilities accurately.
• Utilize dispatching applications and relevant tools for project coordination.
• Support fiber splicing, repairs, and outside plant maintenance activities.
• Restore landscapes to original condition upon project completion.

Skills

Customer service

Safety awareness

Communication

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Tools

Locating equipment

Testing equipment

Hand tools

Job description

Locator Technician for Horizontal Directional Drilling - Fiber Construction

Job Locations: US-WI-Plymouth | US-WI-Sheboygan | US-WI-Fond du Lac

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 fulltime, year-round, and typically works close to home with only limited travel required for training.

Pay Transparency

Pay range: $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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Conduct general construction tasks in various weather conditions, adhering to safety standards.
• Assist in transporting construction equipment to and from the worksite.
• Execute the installation of aerial and buried fiber based on maps, staking sheets, and locate markings.
• Operate hand tools, cable locators, and testing equipment as needed.
• Install and set enclosures, including buried and aerial vaults, pedestals, and handholes.
• Climb poles, ladders, towers, and other structures as required, utilizing a bucket truck when necessary.
• Label and mark fiber optic facilities accurately.
• Utilize dispatching applications and relevant tools for project coordination.
• Support fiber splicing, repairs, and outside plant maintenance activities.
• Restore landscapes to original condition upon project completion.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 6+ months experience in any combination of customer service, electrical or utility construction, a technical certification, or current/military service with honorable discharge.
• Must follow TDS attendance guidelines in order to meet TDS's business needs including but not limited to our obligations to our customers and their needs.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.

Other Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a Class A CDL; a current CDL is preferred at hire but training is provided.
• Physical requirements may vary: ability to climb poles, ladders, towers, and other structures; 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 and 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

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!

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

In addition to these benefits, all associates will have the opportunity to participate in our Associate Resource Groups, which are designed to encourage community and facilitate professional development.

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.