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Drill Rig Operator Helper

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Savannah Engineering Division, Geotechnical and Hazardous Toxic Radioactive Waste
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Principal operator on core drill party on assignments to subsurface investigation projects throughout the United States.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/11/2025 to 11/25/2025
Salary
$21.80 to - $31.89 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 5 - 8
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Savannah, GA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - You may be expected to travel up to 90% of the time for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
8
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CERL-25-12831402-DHA
Control number
849860600

Duties

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  • Set up portable pumps and lay hose lines.
  • Assist in mixing drilling mud as required.
  • Assist in operation of drill rig by connecting and disconnecting drill pipe and bits as boring is advanced, handling, devices and wrenches as necessary.
  • Drive assigned vehicles to transport supplies and equipment.
  • Help with removal of soil and rock samples.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Class A Commercial Driver's License must be obtained for WG-05 and is required to be maintained for WG-08.
  • Required to participate and pass the Districts, Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) Program and will be included in the Annual Medical Surveillance Program.
  • Annual Respirator usage Fitness Test.
  • This position has been designated as meeting the criteria for random drug testing under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program. This position requires drug and alcohol testing.
  • Must obtain and maintain a Government Credit Card.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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.

The position being filled at the WG-05 grade level has a non-competitive promotion potential to the target grade of WG-08. Non-Competitive promotion to the target level may be affected provided the incumbent is sufficiently experienced; meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion to the target job; and is performing the full scope of the major duties and is functioning under the supervisory controls stated in the target job description.

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 (Screen Out Element):

WG-05 (Drill Rig Operator Helper): You must have the reliability and dependability to do the work of a Drill Rig Operator Helper, WG-5729-05, performing common tasks assisting heavy equipment operators including working outside in a variety of weather conditions. Perform routine maintenance on small equipment. Working under close supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. Failure to meet this Screen-out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Physical Effort - Work involves standing for prolonged periods, walking, bending, pushing, reaching, pulling, and lifting heavy objects regularly and often, sometimes with rapid repetitiveness throughout the workday. Objects may sometimes weigh in excess of 45 pounds. Required to participate in the District's HTRW Program and will be included in the Annual Medical Surveillance Program.

Working Conditions - Works outside in all kinds of weather, exposed to poison growth, reptiles and insects and under noisy conditions. Is exposed to cuts and bruises, strains and danger of falling while working from river barges. Required to wear personal protection equipment to include a respirator and must be able to perform job requirements in the equipment. Required to participate in the annual respirator usage fit-test.

WG-08 (Drill Rig Operator): You must have the ability to perform the most difficult and complex drilling techniques operating a variety of drill rigs for subsurface orientation, drilling reverse circulations wells, drilling calyx holes, installing geologic instruments at different points in the ole, or grouting pressure zone. I am skilled in advancing borings into soil and/or rock at depths greater than 100 feet, installing groundwater wells that are 8 inches or greater in diameter, collecting split-spoon, undisturbed, and rock core samples in accordance with published regulations, operating direct-push equipment to collect soil samples, groundwater samples, and install monitoring wells at Hazardous Toxic Radioactive Waste sites, perform routine maintenance on drill rigs in order to repair critical components such as drive shafts, clutches, hoses, related bits, pumps, and motors . I am considered an expert and work with a high degree of independence. Failure to meet this Screen-out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Selective Placement Factor WG-8: This position has a requirement to possess and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver License. (Must be included in the application package or you will be disqualified)

Physical Effort: Work involves 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. Frequently handles objects weighing 20 to 60 pounds and occasionally, tools, samples, and equipment weighing over 60 pounds. Work requires lifting heavy loads regularly and often, sometimes with rapid repetitiveness, throughout the workday, which is from 8-12 hours.

Working Conditions: Works outside in all kinds of weather and temperature extremes on uneven surfaces, exposed to poison growth, reptiles and insects, and under noisy conditions. Is exposed to cuts and bruises, strains and danger of falling while working from river barges. Must be able to perform duties while wearing a respirator.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Career Program (CP) 18 - Engineers & Scientists position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.?

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