Drill Rig Operator

U.S. Department of the Interior; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of the Interior in Montana seeks a Drill Rig Operator to support investigations and infrastructure projects. You will set up and operate coring rigs, gather soil and rock samples, and ensure equipment is maintained to safety standards.

Daily work involves field operations, transporting equipment, and assisting on complex tests while meeting CDL and safety requirements; a strong physical ability and readiness for outdoor conditions are essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to operate drilling equipment in field settings.
• Must possess a valid Driver's License and CDL endorsements as applicable.
• Commitment to safety procedures and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate coring drill rigs (truck-mounted or skid).
• Gather soil/rock/concrete samples for engineering studies.
• Perform preventive maintenance on drilling equipment and tools.
• Assist with minor overhauls and equipment repairs.
• Operate government vehicles as required.
• Support safety tests and field operations in varying weather conditions.

Skills

Drill rig operation

Valid driver’s license

Safety compliance

Tools

Drill rigs

Mud pumps

Compressors

High pressure jetting pump

Job description

Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Drill Rig Operator. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Conducting and assisting with all types of drilling (including instrumentation installations) that will satisfy investigation requirements for geologic and engineering studies. Most of the work includes, but is not limited to, gathering samples (soil, rock, concrete, etc.) for engineering structures or their foundations. Under the direction of higher graded Drill Rig Operator or supervisor, sets up and operates coring drill rigs (truck-mounted or skid) and associated equipment (mud pumps, compressors, trucks, power augers, high pressure jetting pump and regulator, etc). Perform field maintenance on equipment and tools for preventative maintenance schedules and safety requirements. Assists higher graded Drill Rig Operator with minor overhauling of all drill equipment. Operate a government-owned, leased, sedan or truck as an integral part of day-to-day performance of duties. Must be able to obtain and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's and Commercial Driver's License with the endorsements of air brake, tanker and trailer towing in excess of 10,000 lbs GVW. Direct and participate in the cleaning of foundation drains and other structural features using high-pressure water (up to 15,000 psi) cleaning methods. Conduct special tests associated with investigations including standard penetration, vane shear, Dutch cone, in-place density, and gravity and pressure pump-in water tests. When not performing the duties of a Drill Rig Operator, works in the drill shop maintaining and repairing equipment. Maintains an inventory of parts and supplies necessary for usual drilling operations and delivers those parts and supplies to field crews as needed.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

Requirements

Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. Must possess and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with the endorsements of air brake, tanker and trailer towing in excess of 10,000 lbs GVW, or a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to obtain Class A licensing and endorsements within 6 months of entry-on-duty. Must meet all CDL requirements such as the Department of Transportation physical exam, drug and alcohol testing requirements, and minimum age requirements. Pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received. A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment. Ability to handle objects weighing 40 to 75 pounds and occasionally as much as 100 pounds You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. *Additional Requirements located under Qualifications

Evaluations

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job. You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation) Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Operation of Motor Vehicles Reliability and Dependability Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order) Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in your application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/14/2026: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete Required Assessment. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (I/CTAP): If you are applying under I/CTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

Other Information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Related Non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). Physical Demands: Requires standing for prolonged periods, walking, bending, pushing, pulling, reaching, and lifting. Drill rigs contain controls that require considerable physical exertion to manipulate and consistently involves a high level of reflex action in responding to unpredictable drilling changes. Frequently handles objects weighing 40 to 75 pounds and occasionally as much as 100 pounds. Heavy or awkward items are handled using hoists and other weight handling equipment or with the aid of other employees. Working Conditions: Works outside in all kinds of weather, frequently in wet, muddy, and dirty conditions, exposed to poisonous plants, reptiles, and insects and noisy conditions. There is exposure to cuts and bruises in using tools and working around moving machinery, strains while breaking or adding joints to drill rods, slips and falls in wet weather, and the possibility of electric shock and bums. May be subject to considerable discomfort due to mud, water, grease, and from the wearing of protective devices or equipment. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions. Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.