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Drill Rig Operator (MVO)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Baltimore District Engineering Division, Geotechnical Branch

Summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will NOT be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants should review the "How to Apply" section of this flyer for more information on how to be considered. This flyer will be used as positions become available. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/05/2025 to 12/19/2025
Salary
$33.36 to - $39.04 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Baltimore, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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
None
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
No
Announcement number
CERD-25-12844979-DHA
Control number
851561000

Videos

Duties

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  • Set up, operate, and maintain all types of large truck and skid mounted core boring drill rigs and ancillary equipment such as heavy tractors, large trailers, pumps, high compressors, platforms, barges, and rigging.
  • Perform wash, rotary, or auger borings at various depths and in all types of subsurface conditions.
  • Perform complex assignments such as drilling and sampling in unconsolidated sediments and running sands; hard rock coring utilizing wire-line and double and triple tube core barrels.
  • Install sophisticated geotechnical instrumentation; large core (6-inch) drilling; downhole hammers; marine drilling; in-situ testing (pressure, permeability, geophysical); reverse rotary; and pressure grouting operations.
  • Perform equipment maintenance, field repairs and overhauls, and fabricate special adaptations to increase equipment reliability and to minimize mechanical breakdowns.
  • Interpret technical drilling instructions and scopes of work to provide requested subsurface data, communicates daily with field investigation team members, and maintains all required reports, logs, and associated documents.

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.
  • Required to participate in the Department of Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program to include passing a urinalysis drug testing prior to appointment and passing random urinalysis drug testing after appointment.
  • Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel required 70 to 100% of the time.
  • Required to obtain and maintain a valid, State-issued Motor Vehicle Driver’s License.
  • Required to participate in the Medical Surveillance Program to include passing a physical examination prior to appointment and annually after appointment.
  • Required to maintain a Class A Commercial Driver's License for operating motor vehicles of 26,001 or more pounds (gross vehicle weight) and which includes towing trailers up to 10,000 pounds or greater.
  • Required to lift objects weighing up to 200 lbs.

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.

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: Ability to do the work of a Drill Rig Operator (MVO) without more than normal supervision. Abilities include (1) Selecting and installing appropriate equipment, devices, and tools required to carry out work assignments (e.g., pumps, derricks, mechanical riggings, downhole hammers); (2) Applying knowledge of most types of conventional core boring drill rigs and auxiliary equipment and knowledge of the drill-ability of hard rock and sediments to perform the full range of standard foundation core drilling and noncore boring operations; and (3) Directing a crew of one or two lower grade workers in the gathering and transporting of equipment, parts, and supplies to drill sites; in the construction of temporary roads; in leveling drill sites; and rigging up and aligning equipment and tools. Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Require standing for prolonged periods, walking, pushing, pulling, reaching, and lifting. Require physical exertion to operate drill rig controls, levers, pedals, etc., and involves a high degree of reflex action in responding to rapid drilling changes. Move objects weighing 100 lbs., and occasionally up to 200 lbs. Lifting is heavy and stressful. May be assisted by others, as needed, when moving heavy objects and equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work outside in all types of weather, frequently in wet, muddy, very cold or hot, and dirty conditions, exposed to poison growth, reptiles, and insects and under noisy conditions. May perform drilling operations over water. The employee may be exposed to a variety of health and safety hazards requiring the use of protective equipment and clothing such as respirators, safety glasses, shoes, hats, body suits and harnesses. The employee may carry/wear equipment (i.e., air tanks, drill samples, etc.) up to 50 lbs. in weight.

Additional information

  • This announcement uses the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service.
  • 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 an Engineers and Scientist (Resources and Construction) Career Field position.
  • 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.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • A Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position subject to agency determination.

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.

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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

If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

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