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Drill Rig Operator

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Kansas City District - Engineering Division
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: Acts as principal operator on core drill party on assignments to subsurface investigation projects throughout the United States. Work sites vary and operations are often difficult due to ruggedness of terrain, weak substrata, etc.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/07/2025 to 11/13/2025
Salary
$34.84 to - $42.35 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 10 - 11
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Kansas City, MO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CERH-25-12828327-MP
Control number
849752900

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Duties

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  • Serves as a senior-level drill rig operator.
  • Sets up and operates drill rig(s) to sample clay, silt, sand, gravel and bedrock.
  • Installs monitor wells and instrumentation, grouts borings, obtains undisturbed samples of soil and rock.
  • Effectively uses double tube, triple tube, wireline, core barrels, hollow stem augers, thin wall piston sampler, and Dennison barrel and material appropriate bits.
  • Drives, sets-up and operates the Site Characterization and Analysis Penetrometer System (SCAPS) direct push system and vehicle
  • Operates hydraulic controls for penetrometer pushes, computerized data acquisition equipment, grouting equipment, and instruments.
  • As crew chief, is responsible for assigning work to crew members and assuring job related tools and materials are available
  • Serves as operator of drill rigs or tractor trailer truck with a gross weight up to 43,000 pounds.
  • All of the major duties are in connection with foundation investigations for various engineering projects and/or hazardous, toxic and radioactive waste (HTRW) sites involving the wearing of protective gear against possible chemical hazards

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.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 90% for official duties/training.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • This position requires the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
  • Must successfully complete or have completed 40 hours of training in Health and Safety for Hazardous Waste Sites.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness.
  • Must obtain and maintain a Class A CDL within 120 days of employment.
  • This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.


  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998



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 (Screen Out Element): I have the ability to perform the most difficult and complex tasks as the operator of multiple types of drill rigs or tractor trailer trucks with a gross weight up to 43,000 pounds, providing technical direction and/or assistance for difficult work and demonstrating proper work methods. I can install and operate drilling equipment from pontoon platform or barges when offshore drilling is required. I am skilled in operating rigs to maximum achievable depths, installing monitor wells and instrumentation, backfilling borings with grout, obtains undisturbed and disturbed samples of soil and rock, performing preventative maintenance and minor overhaul on equipment and tools, plan and coordinating support activities as required to include supplies and replacement parts, operating hydraulic controls for penetrometer pushes, computerized data acquisition equipment, grouting equipment, and instruments, selecting and installation of appropriate equipment, devices and tools required to carry out the work assignments. I am considered an expert and work with a high degree of independence. I have the ability to track time, keep accurate time and attendance and purchasing documentation. I have the ability to train incumbent team members on proper safety and operating techniques associated with drilling operations.
Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation)
  • Ability to Operate Safely (Non-motor Vehicles)
  • Operation of Motor Vehicles
  • Reliability and Dependability as a Drill Rig Operator
  • Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order)


Physical Effort: Work involves standing for prolonged periods, walking, bending, pushing, reaching, pulling and lifting. Considerable physical exertion is required due to the large size of the drill rigs and the difficulty in manipulating the controls. A high level of reflex action is required in responding to unpredictable formation changes, overburden conditions, and core recovery problems. Frequently handles objects weighing 40 to75 pounds and occasionally as much as 150 pounds.

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, strain and danger of falling while working from river barges.

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.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • This is a CP 18 Engineers and Scientists (Resources and Construction) Career Field position.
  • 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.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • Enhanced Annual leave and credit for Non-Federal Service may be authorized.
  • Advanced In-Hire Rate may be authorized.
  • Relocation/Recruitment Incentive may be authorized.
  • Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) may be authorized.
  • All selections under an announcement must be made within 3 months from the issuance date of the certificate referral list.

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.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applicants will receive preference consideration and will be placed (if selected) at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined best qualified, up to and including the full performance level.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only MSP/PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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