The opportunity
Hot Rod Directional Boring is looking for an experienced and dependable Class 1 driver/HDD locator to join our horizontal directional drilling crews. The successful candidate must be able to safely operate Class 1 vehicles and competently locate an HDD pilot bore using a DCI DigiTrak Falcon F5+ locating system. If you can also operate a directional drill, that is a major advantage and will be recognized when we assess your experience and fit.
HRDB is an owner-operated, safety-focused Alberta company with more than 15 years of HDD experience. We operate a modern fleet ranging from compact drills to 100,000 lb HDD rigs and take pride in safe, efficient work completed properly, on time and on budget.
What you will do
· Safely drive Class 1 trucks and transport equipment, materials and crew support items to and from jobsites.
· Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections and identify vehicle or equipment concerns.
· Load, secure, chain and unchain drills, trailers and related equipment correctly.
· Set up, calibrate and operate a DCI DigiTrak Falcon F5+ locating system accurately; identify front and rear locate points and interpret depth, pitch and other receiver information.
· Track and guide the pilot bore along the approved alignment while maintaining clear, consistent drill commands and communication with the driller.
· Recognize locating interference, loss of signal, unexpected depth or alignment concerns, and stop work or escalate issues when required.
· Support HDD operations by setting up and maintaining the work area, stringing hose, handling tooling and materials, and using hand and power tools.
· Participate in tailgate meetings and field-level hazard assessments, follow safe work practices, and communicate hazards or changing conditions.
· Follow direction, communicate clearly with the crew, and help keep the jobsite organized and productive.
· Perform physically demanding outdoor work in changing weather, terrain and project conditions.
· Travel to out-of-town Alberta projects and work the hours and days required by field operations.
Required qualifications
· Valid Alberta Class 1 driver’s licence with Q (air-brake) endorsement.
· MELT completion where required and an acceptable driver’s abstract.
· Ability to complete an HRDB driving evaluation and demonstrate safe commercial driving practices.
· Demonstrated HDD locating experience, including transmitter/receiver calibration, front and rear locate points, pitch/percent grade, depth and receiver-screen interpretation.
· Hands-on experience with a DCI DigiTrak Falcon F5+ is preferred; candidates with strong, directly transferable experience on another professional HDD locating platform may also be considered.
· Ability to communicate clear and accurate instructions to the driller and work effectively as part of the drill/locator team.
· Experience working safely around heavy equipment, trucks, trailers or civil construction.
· Must be based in Alberta; applicants living within approximately one hour of HRDB’s Devon shop are preferred.
· Ability and willingness to perform manual labour, work outdoors in all typical Alberta conditions, and travel out of town for projects.
· Flexible availability for early starts, late finishes, long days, weekends and changing schedules as project requirements dictate.
· Reliable, safety-minded and willing to learn HRDB’s procedures and standards.
Highly valued experience
· Operating Vermeer or Ditch Witch directional drills; understanding thrust, rotation, drilling fluid and clear drill/locator commands.
· Experience locating long, deep, grade-sensitive or technically challenging HDD installations as well as shallow utility work experience.
· Falcon frequency scanning and selection, interference management, transmitter pairing, target steering and Log-While-Drilling or as-built bore documentation.
· Equipment hauling, load securement, hydro-vac, excavator, skid steer, mud systems, pipe handling.
· Ground disturbance, First Aid, CSTS, H2S Alive or other current industry safety training.
Who will succeed here
You take safety seriously, look after equipment, communicate directly and help the crew without needing to be asked twice. You understand that a strong HDD crew succeeds through teamwork, attention to detail and steady effort. We value capable people who want to keep learning and take on more responsibility.
Pay: $30.00-$45.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Vision care
Experience:
- Locating: 3 years (preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
