Underground Directional Boring Driller / Lead Operator

General Purpose of Position:  This position is expected to safely and efficiently perform horizontal directional drilling for underground utility installations. This role requires strong drilling and locating skills, including the ability to accurately track the drill head for depth, pitch, and distance from existing utilities, while supervising a small crew and maintaining quality, production, and safety standards.

Essential Job Duties:
•    Operate directional drilling equipment to install conduit/duct, innerduct, pipe, or cable per project plans and specifications.
•    Read and interpret bore profiles, locate sheets, prints/as-builts, and utility maps; identify clearances and conflicts before drilling.
•    Perform and/or direct potholing/daylighting and verify utility locations prior to bore.
•    Locate and track drill head using locating equipment; maintain required separation from utilities and meet target depth/line/grade.
•    Adjust steering, mud flow, reaming/back-reaming, and pullback procedures to match soil conditions and production requirements.
•    Monitor and document bore data (depth, pitch, fluid pressures/returns, pullback forces) and communicate changes to the crew and supervisor.
•    Lead and supervise crew members (locators, laborers, equipment operators) to ensure safe, efficient operations and clean job sites.
•    Enforce safety procedures including trenching/excavation, traffic control, confined space awareness, and utility damage prevention.
•    Coordinate with foremen/superintendents, inspectors, and clients; provide daily progress updates and issue-resolution support.
•    Maintain drilling tools, rods, reamers, mixing systems, and vehicles; perform daily inspections and basic troubleshooting/repairs.
•    Complete required paperwork: daily reports, bore logs, equipment checklists, JSAs, and incident/near-miss reporting.

Required Skills & Qualifications:
•    Proven experience operating directional drilling equipment in utility environments (fiber, electric, gas, water, sewer, telecom).
•    Strong locating proficiency: ability to interpret locating equipment readings (depth, pitch, roll, heading) and maintain safe offsets/clearances from existing utilities.
•    Understanding of one-call processes, potholing requirements, and damage prevention best practices.
•    Ability to read prints, bore profiles, and utility maps; comfortable with basic field math for line, grade, and clearance.
•    Supervisory/lead capability: directing crew tasks, coaching, maintaining pace, and holding quality/safety standards.
•    Solid mechanical aptitude with ability to diagnose common directional drilling equipment issues and perform routine maintenance.
•    Strong communication skills; calm decision-making under pressure.
•    Valid driver’s license.
•    Ability to work outdoors in varying conditions; lift/carry typical field loads (often up to 50 lbs) and perform physically demanding tasks.
 
Preferred Qualifications:
•    Vermeer/Ditch Witch and/or similar platform experience.
•    Experience in congested utility corridors, urban work, and high-risk crossings (roads/driveways).
•    Experience with vacuum excavation and hydro-vac potholing coordination.
•    Safety certifications (OSHA 10/30, First Aid/CPR, competent person, traffic control).