Drill Rig Operator

Drill Rig Operator

This is a Drill Rig Operator, WG-5 / 8 position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, Omaha District, Engineering Division. Responsibilities include safely operating all vehicles necessary for drilling assignments in both on-road and off-road situations. Occasionally operates specialty equipment such as a forklift or tractor-mounted backhoe in day-to-day activities. Assists with or installs and learns the function of subsurface instruments such as piezometers, monitoring wells, inclinometers, survey control points, soil vapor extraction wells, groundwater extraction wells, drains, and relief wells. Assists with or conducts drilling operations in a variety of climatic conditions (i.e. very hot, very cold, wet, etc.). Identifies safety-related deficiencies and brings these deficiencies to the attention of the appropriate personnel. Assists with or conducts standard penetration testing (SPT) and Shelby tube sampling in accordance with the appropriate ASTM's and USACE guidance. Develops an understanding of controlling drilling parameters such as bit pressure, rotational speed, and rate of penetration in order to maintain borehole stability during drilling.

Requirements include the reliability and dependability to perform the most difficult and complex assistance of heavy equipment operation. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision. Minimum qualifications include the ability to perform the most difficult and complex assistance in operating a variety of drill rigs and employing complex drilling techniques. Develops an understanding of controlling drilling parameters such as bit pressure, rotational speed, and rate of penetration in order to maintain borehole stability during drilling. Develops abilities to formulate and adjust the properties of drilling fluids with a variety of additives to promote borehole stability as well as learns to recognize, understand, and control hydrostatic and hydrodynamic aquifer conditions. I am considered an expert and work with a high degree of independence.

Physical effort includes standing for prolonged periods, walking, bending, pushing, reaching, pulling, and lifting. Machinery control work is done in close proximity to rotating drill shaft or tool hammering operations, requiring quick reflex action to respond to drilling problems. Grade 8 drill rig operators frequently handle objects weighing 9 to 27 kilograms (20 to 60 pounds) and, occasionally, tools, samples, and equipment weighing over 27 kilograms (60 pounds). Working conditions include working outside in all kinds of weather, frequently in wet, muddy, and dirty conditions, exposed to poison growth, reptiles, and insects, and under noisy conditions. They are exposed to cuts and bruises in using tools and working around moving machinery, strains while breaking or adding joints to drive shaft, slips and falls in wet weather, and the possibility of electric shock and burns. Some operators are subject to considerable discomfort due to mud, water, grease, and from the wearing of protective devices or equipment.