What are the responsibilities and job description for the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Operator position at Professional Employment Group of Colorado?
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Operator
Location: Tacoma, WA
Pay: $30–$40 per hour, depending on experience and CDL qualifications
Schedule: Monday–Friday, approximately 7:00 AM–6:00 PM; occasional weekends
Travel: Up to 75%
Why This Opportunity?
- $30–$35/hour for experienced HDD Operators
- $35–$40/hour for HDD Operators with a Class A CDL
- Long-term project work in the Tacoma area, expected to last 3–4 years
- Growing company with steady work and opportunities for advancement
- Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and bonus incentives
- Opportunity to bring an experienced drilling crew
About the Position
We are seeking an experienced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Operator to join a growing underground utility construction team supporting fiber optic infrastructure projects.
This is a hands-on field position requiring experience operating directional drilling equipment, understanding underground utilities, and safely completing bore installations in challenging soil and rocky terrain.
The ideal candidate is a skilled operator who takes pride in maintaining equipment, working safely, and leading a productive crew.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate horizontal directional drilling equipment to install underground conduit and fiber infrastructure.
- Set up drilling rigs, water tanks, grounding systems, and supporting equipment.
- Coordinate with locators to confirm bore paths and safely guide drilling operations.
- Perform potholing, trenching, vacuum excavation, and utility exposure.
- Install pulling equipment and complete conduit pullbacks.
- Assist with hand holes, tie-ins, backfilling, and site restoration.
- Perform routine equipment maintenance, lubrication, inspections, and winterization.
- Supervise and coordinate laborers and crew members.
- Complete bore logs, equipment inspections, and daily job documentation.
- Maintain safe, productive operations in challenging ground and weather conditions.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on HDD operating experience.
- Experience with underground utility installation, trenching, and potholing.
- Ability to independently set up, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain directional drilling equipment.
- Knowledge of underground utilities, bore paths, and safe excavation practices.
- Experience working with vacuum excavation equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively with locators, supervisors, and field crews.
- Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including rocky terrain.
- Ability to travel up to 75% as required.
- Acceptable driving record and ability to pass required background, drug screening, and pre-employment physical.
Preferred Qualifications
- Class A CDL with air brake endorsement (higher pay range).
- Experience operating HDD equipment in rocky or difficult soil conditions.
- Experience leading drilling crews.
- Knowledge of DOT regulations and equipment inspections.
- English/Spanish bilingual skills.
What We're Looking For
We want a dependable, hardworking operator who knows how to run a drill, solve problems in the field, communicate with the locator, and keep a crew productive and safe.
If you have strong HDD experience, take care of your equipment, and enjoy working with a team that gets the job done right, we'd like to hear from you.
Salary : $30 - $40