Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Locator & Driller
Division 26 Inc. – Fort McMurray
Division 26 Inc. is seeking an experienced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Locator and a two Drill Operators to support our expanding trenchless construction operations throughout Alberta and Western Canada.
The successful candidate will have strong technical locating or drilling experience, a thorough understanding of underground utility risks, and the ability to work collaboratively with the HDD crew to complete bores safely, accurately, and efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Operate HDD drilling or locating equipment using DigiTrak, Subsite, Vermeer, or comparable systems.
- Accurately locate and track the drill head throughout the bore.
- Maintain the required bore alignment, depth, line, and grade in accordance with engineered plans and project specifications.
- Read and interpret utility locates, bore profiles, construction drawings, and site plans.
- Maintain continuous communication between the locator, drill operator, and ground crew.
- Adjust steering and drilling techniques based on ground conditions, utility conflicts, and bore performance.
- Identify and control risks associated with utility strikes, cross bores, inadvertent returns, and frac-outs.
- Monitor drilling fluid pressures, returns, tooling performance, and changing soil conditions.
- Participate in pre-job planning, equipment inspections, FLHAs, and site-specific hazard assessments.
- Follow client requirements, company procedures, and applicable regulatory standards.
- Complete daily drilling logs, bore reports, tracking records, and as-built documentation.
- Support safe operations in urban, industrial, pipeline, utility, and remote work environments.
- Assist with equipment setup, maintenance, tooling changes, and general HDD crew activities as required.
Qualifications
- Minimum of two to three years of demonstrated experience as an HDD locator or drill operator is preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of DigiTrak, Subsite, Vermeer, or similar locating and drilling systems.
- Ability to read utility drawings, one-call documentation, bore plans, and engineered profiles.
- Experience completing long bores of 500 metres or more and complex utility or infrastructure crossings is considered an asset.
- Sound knowledge of ground conditions, drilling fluids, tooling selection, bore planning, and pullback operations.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of an HDD crew.
- Demonstrated commitment to damage prevention and safe excavation practices.
- Valid Class 5 driver’s licence and an acceptable driver’s abstract.
- Class 1 or Class 3 driver’s licence is considered an asset.
- Ability to work overtime, scheduled rotations, weekends, and travel as project requirements dictate.
- Physically capable of completing outdoor construction work in varying weather and ground conditions.
Required Safety Certifications
- CSTS 2020 or Common Safety Orientation
- WHMIS
- H2S Alive
- Ground Disturbance Level II
- Standard First Aid is considered an asset
What Division 26 Offers
- Competitive wages based on experience and qualifications
- Consistent, long-term project opportunities
- Work on major industrial, utility, municipal, and infrastructure projects
- A strong safety culture supported by COR-certified systems
- Opportunities for advancement within a growing HDD and civil construction division
- A professional team environment focused on quality, communication, and safe execution
Why Join Division 26?
At Division 26, HDD work is about more than completing a bore. Our crews are trusted to work around critical underground infrastructure where accuracy, communication, and damage prevention are essential.
We are looking for professionals who take pride in maintaining line and grade, protecting existing utilities, producing clean bores, and completing every project safely.
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: Alberta and Western Canada, with travel and rotational work required
Division 26 Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $37.00-$44.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
