Drill Operator Technician

State of Montana; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Montana Department of Transportation seeks a Drill Operator Technician to perform subsurface exploration using CPT and hollow-stem auger drilling. The role involves sample collection, equipment maintenance, and travel across Montana to project sites.

Entry to mid-level positions offer a career ladder with advancement, a comprehensive benefits package, and overtime or compensatory time for hours over 40 per week.

Qualifications

• Minimum of high school education or equivalent.
• Future eligibility for CDL Class A with air brake and tanker endorsements.
• Experience with geotechnical subsurface exploration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate drilling equipment and CPT gear for subsurface exploration.
• Gather, prepare, and preserve soil and rock samples.
• Assist in maintaining and repairing drill machinery, tools, and vehicles.
• Coordinate with field crew and travel across Montana to project sites.

Skills

Geotechnical subsurface

CPT operations

Sample collection

Heavy machinery operation

Team collaboration

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Type A w/ air brake

Tools

Drilling equipment

CPT equipment

Hollow Stem Auger gear

Job description

Job Description - Drill Operator Technician (26142273)

Position Title:

Drill Operator Technician - ( 26142273 )

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is recruiting for a Drill Operator Technician. This position serves as a subsurface exploration technician and conducts a variety of on-site exploration and sampling operations. Duties include operating specialized drilling equipment, Cone Penetration Test equipment, gathering and preparing soil & rock samples and maintaining and repairing drill machinery, equipment, tools, and vehicles. This position reports to the Subsurface exploration Crew Leader and ultimately to the Field Investigation Unit Supervisor and does not directly supervise other agency personnel. This position requires travel throughout Montana, with employees typically departing for project sites on Monday, working in the assigned location through Thursday, and enjoying most Fridays off.

This position is part of the Field Investigation Unit career ladder with career advancement opportunities.

Benefits of working for MDT and the State of Montana include:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Access to Montana Health Centers, low-cost clinics for state employees and their families
• State Retirement plan and additional savings opportunities (deferred compensation)
• Employees in this position receive overtime compensation or compensatory time for all time in a pay status over 40 hours in a workweek
• Benefits apply on first day of employment
• Relocation assistance may be offered to the successful candidate at the time of offer
• A resume detailing your qualifications and work history

Required Education and Experience:

The required minimum knowledge and skills are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma. During the first ear of employment attainment of a Commercial Driver's License (Type A or B) is in accordance with the career ladder for these positions and Class B can be an initial step in this process, however the Class A with air brake and tanker endorsement ultimately will be required to be maintained during employment (all levels).

Drill Operator Tech I ($29.59)

• This is an entry level position and does not require any Geotechnical subsurface exploration experience

Drill Operator Tech II ($30.09)

• This is a step higher than the entry level position and requires a minimum of six months of Geotechnical subsurface exploration experience and satisfactory performance of the work elements to advance to Level II found in the career ladder

Drill Operator Tech III ($30.59)

This is the highest level on the career ladder and requires a minimum of two years of total progressive Geotechnical subsurface exploration experience in Hollow Stem Auger drilling, Odex Drilling or Downhole hammer experience, Casing Advancing or Mud Rotary and Rock coring. With one year of MDT subsurface exploration experience and passage of the field elements test in the career ladder.

This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of specialized geotechnical subsurface exploration operations, CPT operations, equipment, and tools; techniques of sample collection and preservation; boring layout; and Federal State, and Department exploration policies and procedures
• Knowledge of light duty mechanical repair and/or fabrication and welding procedures, skill in specialized and general maintenance techniques and processes and diagnostic analysis
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of subsurface exploration and sampling: Environmental Protection Agency regulations governing safety and techniques of drilling and sampling soil and water known to be contaminated with hazardous materials
• Knowledge of MUTCD traffic control flagging procedures and possession of a Flagger certificate
• Skill in the safe and effective operation of heavy and hazardous machinery, tools, and vehicles
• Skill in operating, maintaining, and repairing specialized exploration and sampling equipment and tools, vehicles, and various support equipment and hand tools, equipment maintenance and repair, and light duty welding and fabrication
• Ability to work effectively with a team of drillers and in potentially hazardous environments and inclement weather
• Ability to monitor field operation equipment needs and recommend equipment and supply purchases

Other Information:

Driver's record will be verified. Successful applicants will be required to sign a release form which authorizes the Department to obtain the applicant's permanent driving records. Compliance with Mont. Admin. R. 2.6.201. "State Vehicle Use," and MDT Policy #6.03.001, "State Vehicle Use Policy" are conditions of employment.

This position is being posted in accordance with the bargaining unit agreement. Non-bargaining unit employees or employees of another bargaining unit may apply. If the position is not filled with a bargaining unit applicant, the non-bargaining unit applicants may be considered. However, bargaining unit applicants will have preference.

The Montana Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial, and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans and disabled veterans are encouraged to apply. People with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may call the Human Resources and Occupational Safety Division, at 406.444.6054.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire. Generally, sponsorship for work authorization is not available through the State of Montana.

MDT participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary

29.59 - 30.59 Hourly

Telework Eligibility

Not Telework Eligible

Benefits Package Eligibility

• Health Insurance
• Paid Leave & Holidays
• Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 75 % of the Time

Primary Location

Helena

Agency

Department of Transportation

Union

Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date

Oct 30, 2026, 4:47:13 PM

Closing Date

Nov 13, 2026, 6:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials

Resume

Contact

Name: Brandi Hamilton
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.