Earn a living, while learning a trade on a directional drilling crew.
HDD is a great trade for entry level candidates to consider because of the wide range of experience and skills required, and the small groups in which they typically work. The structure of an HDD crew lends itself to cross training opportunities and often places the most junior members in the center of the action. Small team camaraderie and regular mentorship from senior members is engrained in the culture of the industry.
HDD Crews install critical utility infrastructure ranging from fiber optic cable to homes, to large cross country oil pipelines. The industry boasts family wage jobs, career development opportunity, and stability among as key reasons you should consider building your career in HDD.
HDD Crews are typically tight-knit and everyone works closely together. The positions are well defined and progressing through the entry level roles is considered an unofficial right of passage by most.
Four Key Players
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The entry point for most great HDD careers is the humble shovel. Learn while you earn and develop your skills from the ground up. Laborers and shovel hands are routinely given opportunities to develop greater skills and responsibilities. Most people stay at this level for a period of six months to one year.
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The next step in your career development involves mixing and management of drilling fluids that are critical for a successful project. The Mud Hand is responsible for preparing and mixing drilling fluids. Operation of vacuum excavation equipment and disposal and remediation of fluids.
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Moving to the locating position is a big step forward in your career progression. Locating is a mix of science & math with a long list of variables that make real word experience invaluable. Locators are the eyes and ears of the Directional Drilling operation. They operate the walkover locating equipment used to track the drill head underground and give steering commands to the drill operator. The locator has the ultimate responsibility for the safe and accurate delivery of the drill head to the target.
It takes on average between 1-3 years to gain the knowledge and experience to prepare yourself for advancement to the Drill Operator level.
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The top of the heap in most HDD Crews hierarchy sits In the drill seat. Drill Operators have a keen understanding of all functions on an HDD job site and operate the expensive, powerful drilling equipment during the pilot bore and pull back. They also serve as the leader for the HDD Crew in most cases. Drill Operators are knowledgable not only in the operation of the machine but also in its maintenance and repair. This knowledge combined with their knowledge of the other duties on an HDD crew make the Drill operator the go-to guy when something goes wrong on an HDD Job. HDD Operators can progress into foreman and superintendent leadership positions after an average of 3-5 years in the seat.
Large scale projects in every major US city means HDD Crews are working in the same area for years at time. Often these crews are installing large fiber optic networks, upgrading existing networks, moving utilities underground or providing connections from main lines into individual homes and businesses.
Advancements in HDD Rigs, HDD Locating equipment, HDD Bore planning, and Directional Drilling Fluid are constantly advancing the capabilities of HDD.
Tech savvy tradesman who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty are staying on the leading edge of the tech curve and leading the charge in HDD.
Outlook for the future
Heavy equipment is a regular fixture on HDD Sites. Excavation equipment of all sizes, Directional Drills, HydroVac equipment, Mud Reclaimers and large commercial trucks are all commonplace. The wide variety of equipment employed translates into more opportunity for tradesman to develop well rounded skills operating different equipment.
