Driller's Assistant

LaBella Associates; South Dakota; On-site; USD 57,308,000 - 74,501,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision Insurance

401k Plan with Employer Match

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Wellness Program

Profit Sharing

Referral Bonus Program

Flexible Work Schedule

Team Building Events

Job summary

LaBella Associates is seeking a motivated Driller’s Assistant to join our environmental and geotechnical drilling team. You will work with a Lead Driller to operate drilling rigs, collect soil and groundwater samples, and install monitoring equipment.

This is outdoor field work demanding strong mechanics and safety discipline. You will assist in rig setup, sampling, well installation, decontamination, and routine maintenance while traveling for regional projects as required.

Qualifications

• 1+ years experience in environmental, geotechnical, or construction drilling.
• Ability to lift up to 75 lbs and work outdoors in all weather.
• Valid Driver's License; CDL on a plus.
• OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification desirable but not required at hire.
• Willingness to travel overnight for regional projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist Lead Driller with rig setup and operation.
• Collect soil cores and groundwater samples; log results.
• Install groundwater monitoring wells, piezometers, and vapor pins.
• Decontaminate tools between boreholes to prevent cross‑contamination.
• Perform daily maintenance on rigs, pumps and equipment.
• Mix and pump bentonite grout; patch surfaces as needed.

Skills

Rig setup

Sampling & logging

Well installation

Safety compliance

Physical stamina

CDL driving

Teamwork

Education

OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification

Tools

Geoprobe

Hollow-stem auger

Direct-push rigs

Piezometers

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and hardworking Driller’s Assistant to join our environmental and geotechnical drilling team. You will work alongside a Lead Driller to operate drilling rigs, collect soil and groundwater samples, and install monitoring equipment. This physical role requires outdoor field work, strong mechanics, and a commitment to strict safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Rig Setup & Operation: Assist the Lead Driller in mobilizing, positioning, and setting up hollow-stem auger and direct-push (Geoprobe) drilling rigs.
• Sampling & Logging: Handle down-hole tools to collect high-quality soil cores and groundwater samples using split-spoon and Shelby tube methods.
• Well Installation: Assist in constructing and installing groundwater monitoring wells, piezometers, and vapor pins.
• Decontamination: Execute meticulous cleaning protocols on all sampling tools and drill rods between boreholes to prevent cross-contamination.
• Maintenance & Repair: Perform daily preventative maintenance, greasing, and minor mechanical repairs on rigs, pumps, and support equipment.
• Site Restoration: Mix and pump bentonite grout to seal boreholes and restore surfaces with asphalt or concrete patches.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 1+ years of experience in environmental, geotechnical, or construction drilling preferred (will train the right candidate).
• Physical Stamina: Ability to lift up to 75 lbs repeatedly, stand for long periods, and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• License: Valid Driver's License with a clean driving record (CDL Class A or B is a major plus).
• Certifications: OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification is highly desirable but not required at hire.
• Travel: Willingness to travel overnight for regional projects as required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly Wage: $20.00 – $26.00 per hour (commensurate with experience and CDL licensing).
• Travel Per Diem: $65.00 daily allowance for meals and incidentals during overnight regional projects.
• Lodging: 100% company-paid, single-occupancy hotel rooms for all out-of-town assignments.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement: 401(k) enrollment with up to a company match.
• Paid Time Off: 2 weeks of accrued PTO plus 6 paid national holidays per year.
• Gear Allowance: $150 annual voucher for steel-toed work boots and company-provided safety gear (PPE)

Body, mind, and wallet—LaBella’s benefits support a holistic approach to your health and wellness, creating the foundation for physical, mental, and financial well‑being. Our benefit offerings cover the must-haves (healthcare and retirement), the just‑in‑cases (insurances and employee assistance programs), and the cherry‑on‑tops (fitness reimbursements, year‑end incentive pay, and tuition assistance). Visit our website for more details on benefits listed below.

Additional Benefits

• Flexible Work Schedule
• Health/Dental Insurance
• 401k Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• Leadership Development Program
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• Wellness Program
• Team Building Events
• Community Service Events

LaBella is committed to facilitating a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion are respected, valued, and celebrated by implementing thoughtful, practical, and innovative strategies that support our employees and serve the communities in which we reside. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws.

LaBella Associates does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting professionals or agencies, nor do we accept resumes from any source that does not reference a specific, open position. LaBella Associates will not be responsible for any fees arising from the use of resume submitted by recruiting professionals or agencies that do not have a current placement fee agreement with LaBella Associates. All initial communication with recruiting professionals or agencies must go through human resources.