Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Horizontal Directional Drill Locator

🎯 Role Definition

The Horizontal Directional Drill Locator is responsible for locating, tracking, and documenting underground utilities and bore heads during horizontal directional drilling operations. The role uses electromagnetic (EM) locators, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), GPS and gyro tracking systems, and survey-grade instruments to provide accurate, real-time positioning and utility information to drill crews and project managers, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and efficient installation of conduits, pipelines, and fiber-optic infrastructure.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Utility locator / Utility technician
Construction laborer with utility locating experience
Field technician specializing in survey or GIS data collection

Advancement To:

Senior HDD Locator / Lead Locator
HDD Field Supervisor / Operations Foreman
Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Technician or Coordinator
Directional Driller / HDD Operator (with drilling training)

Lateral Moves:

Survey Technician (GPS/GNSS focus)
Damage Prevention Specialist / Public Works Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive surface and subsurface utility locating using electromagnetic locators, line tracers, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and other detection equipment to identify the position, depth, and type of existing utilities prior to and during HDD operations to prevent strikes and project delays.
Continuously track and map the position of the drill head (bore head) and drill path in real time using gyro tracking systems, sonde receivers, and specialized HDD locating equipment, and communicate precise location updates to the drill operator and site supervisor.
Conduct pre-bore site reconnaissance and mark-out of critical infrastructure including gas, water, sewer, telecom, electric, and fiber-optic lines on surface using paint, flags, and GPS coordinates in accordance with company policies and local utility standards.
Interpret utility as-built drawings, facility maps, CAD plans, and GIS datasets to create coordinated locating strategies and identify discrepancies between records and field observations; escalate risky or conflicting findings to project management immediately.
Perform potholing and verification of utility depth with hand tools, air excavation, or vacuum excavation methods when required to validate EM/GPR findings and provide physical confirmation of utility exposure for safe crossing or drilling near critical assets.
Maintain accurate digital and paper documentation of all locate activities, including electronic locate tickets, as-built sketches, GPS waypoint files, survey logs, photographic records, and reports required for regulatory compliance and client deliverables.
Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot locating equipment, sonde batteries, transmitters, antennas, and GPS receivers; manage tool inventory, schedule preventative maintenance, and coordinate repairs to ensure operational readiness for project mobilizations.
Execute live bore tracking during pullback and drilling phases, making real-time adjustments and advising on bore angle, depth, and alignment to stay within tolerance envelopes and avoid utility conflicts or ground stability issues.
Provide onsite training and mentorship to junior locators, new HDD crew members, and subcontracted field staff on safe locating practices, equipment operation, and documentation standards to maintain consistent quality across projects.
Coordinate with utility owners, 811/Call-Before-You-Dig centers, project engineers, and local authorities to obtain utility records, locate clearances, and schedule required inspections or support prior to drilling activities.
Analyze complex underground utility environments, including congested urban corridors and environmentally sensitive areas, and develop risk mitigation plans such as pre-excavation, temporary shutoffs, or re-routing recommendations to preserve critical infrastructure and public safety.
Perform daily safety briefings (toolbox talks), enforce PPE use, and follow confined space, excavation, and other site-specific safety procedures; immediately report safety incidents and near-misses and participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Use survey-grade GPS and GIS tools to capture accurate horizontal and vertical control points for as-built deliverables and integrate locating data into client CAD and GIS systems with required coordinate systems and metadata.
Prepare and deliver detailed handover packages, including final as-built drawings, locate logs, and post-bore utility maps for client acceptance and regulatory filings; ensure traceability and auditability of locate decisions and changes.
Support quality assurance by performing cross-check locates, verifying contractor markings, and confirming that all utilities affected by drilling are identified and documented prior to excavation or directional boring.
Conduct environmental and site-condition assessments to identify hazards such as contaminated soils, unstable ground, or groundwater that could influence locating or drilling methods; recommend mitigation steps and communicate constraints to the project team.
Maintain strong client-facing communication by responding to project inquiries, providing status updates during bores, coordinating schedule changes, and ensuring the client’s safety and utility protection requirements are met.
Operate in diverse field conditions, including confined spaces, trenches, roadways, and right-of-way corridors, while adhering to traffic control plans, erosion control measures, and local permitting requirements.
Participate in pre-mobilization planning and job hazard analysis for each HDD job, reviewing scope, drill profile, depth constraints, and utility mapping to ensure all locating resources and contingency plans are in place.
Track and log consumables, locate tickets, and production metrics to support project invoicing, performance reporting, and continuous improvement activities; provide input on resource allocation and scheduling to optimize crew productivity.
Liaise with directional drill operators, project managers, and subcontractors to coordinate timing of pullbacks, conduit installations, and service tie-ins to minimize downtime and rework during utility installations.
Implement damage prevention best practices, including positive identification of utilities prior to excavation, verification by utility owners, and adherence to local one-call system procedures to reduce risk of service interruptions and liabilities.
Respond rapidly to emergency locate requests and utility strike incidents, providing accurate locate data, documentation for incident reports, and collaborative support to mitigate impacts and restore service.

Secondary Functions

Support project documentation requests and provide collected locate data in client-specific formats (CAD, GIS shapefiles, CSV) for project closeout.
Assist in the development and refinement of locating procedures, standard operating practices (SOPs), and training materials to improve consistency and safety across field teams.
Contribute to equipment procurement decisions by testing new locating and tracking technologies and recommending upgrades based on field performance and ROI.
Participate in post-project reviews and lessons learned sessions to identify process improvements, root causes of utility conflicts, and recommendations for future bores.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in electromagnetic (EM) locating equipment and sonde operation for utility detection and bore head tracking.
Experience using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to detect non-conductive utilities and subsurface anomalies; ability to interpret GPR profiles and integrate with EM data.
Skilled with gyro and inertial tracking systems for precise downhole bore path location and positional reporting.
Familiarity with GPS/GNSS receivers, RTK correction workflows, and converting field coordinates for CAD and GIS deliverables.
Ability to read and interpret civil, utility, and construction plans, as-built drawings, and GIS datasets to correlate field observations with mapped infrastructure.
Proficient in utility mapping and as-built documentation with CAD (AutoCAD) and GIS software (ArcGIS/QGIS) or the ability to export accurate locate data in required client formats.
Hands-on experience with vacuum excavation, hand potholing, air excavation, and safe exposure techniques for utility verification.
Strong competency in equipment calibration, battery management, radio communication protocols, and basic field-level troubleshooting of hardware and software.
Knowledge of local and national damage prevention standards, one-call (811) processes, and regulatory compliance for underground works.
Ability to prepare accurate site logs, locate tickets, and formal incident or near-miss reports for audit and insurance purposes.

Soft Skills

Excellent verbal communication and real-time reporting skills to coordinate with drill operators, clients, and utility owners during active bores.
Strong attention to detail and observational skills to detect anomalies, inconsistent records, and subtle signals in crowded underground utility environments.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to assess risk, propose mitigations, and adapt locating strategies when field conditions differ from plans.
High level of situational awareness and safety consciousness; able to enforce PPE and safety protocols on-site.
Effective time management and organizational skills to prioritize multiple locates, urgent requests, and documentation tasks under tight schedules.
Team player with leadership potential; able to mentor junior technicians and collaborate across operations, engineering, and client teams.
Customer service orientation and professionalism when interacting with public stakeholders, facility owners, and governmental inspectors.
Resilience and physical stamina to perform fieldwork in varied weather and terrain, including lifting equipment and working in confined access areas.
Strong written communication for producing clear, concise reports, as-built deliverables, and email updates for project stakeholders.
Adaptability to new locating technologies and willingness to pursue continuous training and certifications.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training or certificate in utility locating, construction technology, or a related field preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree in Construction Management, Surveying, Civil Engineering Technology, or related technical discipline; formal training or certification in utility locating, GPR operation, or HDD technologies is advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Surveying / Geomatics
Construction Technology / Civil Engineering Technology
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Occupational Health & Safety / Construction Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on locating or field GIS/survey experience for junior roles; 5+ years preferred for senior/lead locator positions.

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience working with HDD crews and performing live bore tracking on multiple projects across telecom, gas, water, or energy sectors.
Prior exposure to SUE practices, 811 coordination, and interaction with utility owners and permitting authorities.
Certifications such as PG&E Utility Locator, NULCA/ASNT training, or vendor certifications for gyro/GPR equipment are a plus.