Geotechnical Drill Rig Helper

Pacific Drilling Co.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical benefits

Paid vacation

Career growth opportunities

Hands-on training

Job summary

Pacific Drilling Co. is seeking a dependable Geotechnical Drill Rig Helper to join our field team in Southern California.

This role offers hands-on training alongside experienced Drill Rig Operators and a clear path to advancement within our geotechnical and environmental drilling operations. You will support daily field tasks, assist with equipment prep, and help maintain safety and documentation across projects.

Qualifications

• Previous field experience in geotechnical, environmental, drilling or construction is preferred but not required.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record; CDL is a plus.
• Ability to lift up to 70 lbs and work outdoors in varied conditions.
• Willingness to travel and work nights, weekends, and overtime as project schedules require.
• Must pass pre-employment screenings and meet security requirements for government/secured facilities.
• Commitment to safe work practices and following procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist Drill Rig Operators and learn drilling trade through hands-on training.
• Support equipment setup, maintenance, and project documentation as needed.

Skills

Reliable

Safety-conscious

Team player

Mechanically inclined

Hand-eye coordination

Willingness to learn

Strong work ethic

Good communication

Job description

Pacific Drilling Co. is seeking a dependable, hardworking, and safety-minded individual to join our team as a Geotechnical Drill Rig Helper.

We are a long-established, licensed, bonded, and insured geotechnical and environmental drilling contractor serving Southern California and beyond. At Pacific Drilling, we believe in developing our people and providing a pathway to success for employees who are willing to learn, work hard, and demonstrate our core values.

This is more than an entry-level field position - it is an opportunity to learn the drilling trade and build a long-term career. We provide hands‑on training alongside experienced Drill Rig Operators and promote from within whenever possible.

Our Core Values

Everything we do at Pacific Drilling is guided by four core values:

1. Dedicated to the Process
We follow established procedures, prioritize safety, take care of our equipment, document our work accurately, and do the job correctly from start to finish.

2. Dedicated to the Client
We understand that our work represents both Pacific Drilling and our clients. We communicate clearly, remain professional on every jobsite, and work to provide dependable, high-quality service.

3. Dedicated to the Team
Drilling is a team effort. We support one another, communicate effectively, take responsibility for our role, and work together to get the job done safely and efficiently.

4. Extra Effort Every Time
We believe the details matter. Whether it’s preparing equipment, maintaining a clean jobsite, helping a teammate, or taking care of a client, we expect our team to go the extra mile.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Is reliable, punctual, and ready to work
• Is safety-conscious and attentive to detail
• Has a strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Is mechanically inclined with good hand‑eye coordination
• Is comfortable working with equipment, tools, and technology
• Is organized and capable of completing daily field logs and project documentation
• Works well as part of a team and communicates effectively
• Is willing to learn and take direction from experienced Drill Rig Operators
• Takes pride in maintaining equipment and keeping jobsites clean and organized
• Is interested in developing a long-term career in geotechnical and environmental drilling
• Is comfortable working outdoors in physically demanding and sometimes dirty conditions

Qualifications & Requirements

• Previous geotechnical, environmental, construction, drilling, mechanical, or other field experience is preferred, but not required
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required; CDL is a plus
• Reliable transportation
• Ability to lift up to 70 lbs.
• Ability to safely perform physically demanding work in a variety of outdoor conditions
• Ability to work independently and as part of a field crew
• Willingness to travel and work out of town, nights, weekends, and overtime as project schedules require
• Ability to pass required pre-employment screenings
• Ability to meet background and security requirements for work performed at certain government and secured facilities
• Commitment to safe work practices and following company and project-specific procedures

Schedule & Travel

Our typical operating schedule is Monday through Friday; however, drilling is project-driven and work hours will vary depending on project requirements.

Candidates must be willing and able to work extended hours, overtime, occasional nights and weekends, and overnight or out-of-town assignments when required. Overtime and other applicable compensation are paid in accordance with state and federal wage requirements.

What Pacific Drilling Offers

• Competitive compensation
• Medical benefits
• Paid vacation
• Consistent work with an established geotechnical and environmental drilling contractor
• A defined pathway for career growth and advancement
• Hands‑on training alongside experienced Drill Rig Operators
• Exposure to a variety of drilling equipment, methods, and project types
• Continued training and professional development
• Opportunities for increased responsibility and leadership
• Opportunity to advance from Drill Rig Helper to Geotechnical Drill Rig Operator and beyond

Your Pathway to Success

At Pacific Drilling, we want our employees to see a future with the company.

The Geotechnical Drill Rig Helper position is the starting point for learning the technical skills, safety practices, equipment knowledge, field procedures, and client service standards needed to advance within our organization.

As employees gain experience, demonstrate proficiency, take on greater responsibility, and consistently live our core values, opportunities for advancement may include:

Geotechnical Drill Rig Helper -> Geotechnical Drill Rig Operator -> Senior/Managing Operator -> Field & Operations Leadership

Advancement is based on demonstrated skills, safety performance, reliability, leadership, continued learning, and overall contribution to the team.

We invest in people who invest in themselves and their teams. Our goal is to provide motivated employees with the training, experience, and opportunity to build a successful career at Pacific Drilling.

We're looking for someone who takes pride in their work, shows up ready to contribute, is willing to learn, and wants to build a career in the drilling industry.

If you're willing to be dedicated to the process, the client, and the team, and committed to extra effort every time, we'd like to hear from you.