Drill Rig Operator/Trainee 1/Trainee 2 (Region 5)

Duties Description As a Drill Rig Operator Trainee, (under the supervision of a Drill Rig Operator), obtains soil, rock, and pavement core samples; records sample blow counts during progression of the borehole; progresses borehole by means of hollow stem auger, mud rotary, drilled-in-casing, driven casing, or rock coring; measures drill tools and measures and records depth to water and thickness of geological strata; prepares field drill log and maintains productivity and equipment records; drives drilling equipment and support vehicles to borehole site and sets up drilling equipment; manually drills hand auger holes, probes, and test pits; operates bulldozer, pumps, and grout mixers; sets up maintenance and traffic protection; performs traffic flagging; performs preventative maintenance and minor repairs on all drilling equipment; trains laborers and supervises drill crew in the absence of the Drill Rig Operator.

As a Drill Rig Operator (DRO), the incumbent may: supervise a State drill crew; obtain soil and rock samples for engineering purposes; select the drilling method suitable for the geologic conditions encountered during borehole progression; install geotechnical instrumentation devices, such as slope indicators and open well piezometers; assemble a floating barge when drilling over water, including anchoring and stabilizing, to provide a safe working platform; read engineering plans to identify boring locations; coordinate utility clearance for boreholes in accordance with Industrial Code 53; prepare vehicle reports; maintain detailed field logs for each boring; and train Drill Rig Operator Trainees and laborers.

During the winter, DROs and DRO Trainees may be assigned to a Residency for snow and ice response (operates heavy dump trucks with plow, wing, and spreader attachments to simultaneously plow snow and control ice).

Responsibilities may include participating within the Incident Command System to support the Department\’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications Drill Rig Operator Trainee 1, NS=Grade 9
Non-Competitive: Candidate must possess a valid New York State Class D driver\’s license and be able to pass a medical and physical examination demonstrating the ability to perform physical labor prior to permanent appointment.

Special requirement: Candidate must acquire a New York State Class B commercial driver\’s license permit by six months into the traineeship.

Drill Rig Operator Trainee 2, NS=Grade 11
Non-Competitive: Candidate must have one year of experience working as a driller\’s helper in an organization that does geotechnical drilling; possess a valid New York State Class B commercial driver\’s license without air-brake restriction; must pass a medical and physical examination demonstrating ability to perform physical labor and, within 30 calendar days of hire, must satisfactorily demonstrate ability to meet Drill Rig Operator Trainee 1 drilling skills and pump operation, and have acceptable knowledge of safety, traffic control, and drill tool identification.

Special requirement: Candidate must acquire a New York State Class A commercial driver\’s license by six months into the traineeship.

Drill Rig Operator, Grade 12
Non-Competitive: Candidate must have two years of experience assisting in the operation of drilling equipment used for acquiring samples of rock, soil, and pavement, and measuring ground water as part of subsurface exploration for geotechnical engineering purposes; possess a valid Class A commercial driver\’s license without airbrake restriction; must pass a medical examination demonstrating ability to perform heavy physical labor; and within 30 calendar days of hire, must satisfactorily demonstrate ability to meet Drill Rig Operator drilling and safety skills, know visual soil identification, and complete introduction to instrumentation; and within six months of hire, must complete 40-hour Hazwoper training to identify and deal with hazardous material.

Additional Comments The starting salary for this position is $51,641. This amount is comprised of the base salary of $42,641 with an additional geographic pay differential of $9,000, specific to this title and location.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The New York State Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minority group members, disabled persons and Veterans are encouraged to apply. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided for the disabled.

In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Brett W. Remick, P.E.

Telephone

Fax

Email Address Brett.Remick@dot.ny.gov

Address

Street 100 SENECA ST

NYS DOT

City BUFFALO

State NY

Zip Code 14203

Notes on Applying Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and a current resume, titled by last name, with the Notice Number R5-25-64 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest no later than July 18, 2025 to:

NYS Department of Transportation
Brett Remick
100 Seneca Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

or

Brett.Remick@dot.ny.gov

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