HDD Crew Leader/Foreman
Essel Environmental · Elmendorf
We are seeking an experienced HDD Crew Leader / Foreman to lead and oversee a 4–5 person Horizontal Directional Drilling crew on projects throughout Central, East, and West Texas.
This is a hands-on leadership position for an experienced HDD professional who understands the entire drilling operation and can step in and perform the work when needed. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with drilling, locating, bore planning, equipment operations, crew management, and jobsite safety.
The Crew Leader will be responsible for maintaining production, coordinating manpower and equipment, communicating with project management and customers, and ensuring all work is performed safely and according to project specifications.
Key Responsibilities
Crew Leadership & Production
- Direct and supervise a 4–5 person HDD crew.
- Plan daily work activities and assign crew responsibilities.
- Maintain production schedules while prioritizing safe operations.
- Conduct daily safety meetings, toolbox talks, and JSAs.
- Train, mentor, and develop crew members.
- Monitor employee performance and provide direction as needed.
- Coordinate equipment, tooling, materials, and manpower.
- Communicate regularly with Project Managers, Superintendents, and customers.
- Address jobsite issues and make decisions in the field to keep production moving.
HDD Operations
The Crew Leader must have a strong working knowledge of all positions within an HDD crew, including:
- Driller
- Locator
- Laborer
- Mud system operations
- Equipment loading and unloading
- Rig moves and setup
- Tooling selection
- Preventative equipment maintenance
- Basic troubleshooting and field repairs
The Crew Leader must be capable of drilling and locating when needed and should be comfortable stepping into any role on the crew.
Bore Planning & Field Operations
- Read and interpret construction drawings, plans, and bore profiles.
- Assist with bore planning and determine appropriate drilling methods.
- Identify and address utility conflicts.
- Verify utility locates prior to drilling.
- Set up HDD rigs and associated equipment.
- Coordinate entry and exit pit construction.
- Select appropriate tooling based on soil and ground conditions.
- Manage product pullbacks and hole cleaning.
- Monitor drilling fluids and mud systems.
- Adjust drilling operations based on field conditions.
- Maintain production and coordinate daily schedules.
Safety & Environmental Compliance
- Conduct daily JSAs and safety meetings.
- Ensure all crew members follow company SOPs and safety procedures.
- Verify proper PPE compliance.
- Conduct equipment inspections.
- Stop work immediately when unsafe conditions are identified.
- Verify utility locates and maintain safe clearance around existing utilities.
- Maintain clean and organized jobsites.
- Follow environmental requirements and project-specific procedures.
- Properly respond to and report inadvertent returns.
- Immediately communicate safety concerns, incidents, delays, or jobsite issues to management.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Complete daily production reports.
- Maintain accurate employee timesheets.
- Complete equipment inspection documentation.
- Track material and tooling inventory.
- Document production, delays, and jobsite issues.
- Communicate project updates to management and customers.
- Provide accurate information regarding crew production, equipment, and schedule.
Requirements
Experience with the following is highly preferred:
- Large-diameter bores
- Mud motors
- Rock crossings
- Highway crossings
- Railroad crossings
- Wetland and environmentally sensitive crossings
- Inadvertent return response
- Complex utility crossings
- Challenging soil and ground conditions
- Crew training and development
Minimum Qualifications
- 3+ years of hands-on HDD experience required.
- 2+ years of HDD crew leadership/foreman experience preferred.
- Must be capable of operating as a driller and locator when needed.
- Strong understanding of HDD equipment, tooling, drilling fluids, and bore operations.
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and bore plans.
- Knowledge of underground utilities and utility conflict identification.
- Strong understanding of construction safety and jobsite procedures.
- Ability to lead a crew while maintaining productivity and quality.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and jobsite conditions.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout Central, East, and West Texas.
Benefits
All standard benefits