Rock Drill Equipment Operator (Abilene, TX)

Aggregate Resource Industries; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Company lodging assistance

Job summary

Aggregate Resource Industries (ARI) is seeking an experienced Rock Drill Operator to safely operate hydraulic rock drills at quarries, mines, and development sites across the United States.

The role requires travel, a strong mechanical aptitude, and commitment to safety. ARI offers comprehensive benefits, per diem, health insurance, 401(k) with company match, PTO, and holiday pay.

Qualifications

• Experience in rock drilling or heavy equipment operation in mining/construction.
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction certification is preferred; company assists to obtain if needed.
• Must have mechanical aptitude to perform routine maintenance and diagnose issues.

Responsibilities

• Operate hydraulic rock drills on various terrains and sites.
• Perform daily equipment maintenance for safe operation.
• Conduct pre-operation inspections and safety checks.
• Follow drill patterns and layouts provided by Project Managers.
• Visually inspect holes and ensure they meet specs; adjust as needed.
• Report delays or issues to Project Managers; coordinate with team.
• Utilize Strayos Fielder app to document drill patterns.
• Participate in weekly drilling department meetings and safety drills.
• Assist blasting operations when required.
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment and support team goals.

Skills

Rock drilling exp

OSHA 10 Certification

Mechanical aptitude

Valid driver's license

Travel readiness

Background check

Drug testing

Physical stamina

Job description

Rock Drill Equipment Operator (Abilene, TX)

Company Overview Aggregate Resource Industries, Inc. (ARI) is a leading mining and construction services contractor headquartered in Springfield, Oregon. We specialize in providing comprehensive solutions for the mining and construction industries, including rock drilling, blasting, and crushing operations throughout the United States. Our commitment to safety, innovation, and quality has established ARI as a trusted partner for mining and construction projects nationwide — and earned us recognition as one of Oregon’s Top Workplaces for our dedication to employees and culture.

Position Overview We are looking for experienced Rock Drill Operators to join our team! This position is responsible for safely and efficiently operating hydraulic rock drills at quarries, mines, construction, solar and development projects throughout the United States. If you possess experience in heavy equipment operation, a strong mechanical aptitude, a passion for travel, and the determination to progress within a growing and stable organization, this could be an ideal opportunity for you. Join our highly specialized team of Rock Drill Operators—an integral force in shaping physical landscapes.

Compensation

• We offer a generous and progressive pay scale. Pay for this position depends on experience.
• Typical annual earnings: $70,000-$100,000 per year.
• Benefits: Generous benefits package including per diem, comprehensive health insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, holiday pay and more.

Job Requirements/Qualifications

• Experience: Previous r ock drilling experience is required. Equivalent experience operating heavy equipment in construction, mining, or a related industry will also be considered.
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Certification: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour Construction certification is strongly preferred. If not already obtained, the company will work with the employee to complete the certification prior to the start date.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Capable of performing routine maintenance and identifying equipment issues.
• Driving Requirements: Valid driver’s license with a driving record that includes no more than 3 moving violations and/or chargeable accidents in the last 3 years and no DUIIs.
• Travel Commitment: Frequent overnight travel away from home is required for this position. When assigned to blast hole drilling, most Sunday through Thursday evenings will be spent away from home. When assigned to solar pre-drilling projects, this position follows a four-weeks-on, one-week-off rotation. Transportation to job sites, lodging and a daily per diem is provided when traveling.
• Background Check: Candidates are submitted to a background check through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to screen felony records in compliance with federal regulations.
• Drug Test and Physical Requirement: Pre-employment drug test and physical required. We conduct random drug tests and post-accident drug testing. For safety reasons, we have a zero-tolerance drug policy, including marijuana use.
• Physical Requirements: Physical stamina with the ability to lift 50 pounds and remain on your feet for extended periods of time.

Additional Skills Required

• Values-Driven: Embodies ARI’s values of integrity, teamwork, grit, and continuous improvement
• Adaptability: Flexible and reliable in changing project environments.
• Motivation: Results-driven and persistent in completing complex fieldwork
• Safety awareness: Committed to safe work practices and adhering to procedures.

Job Responsibilities

• Drill operation: Operates hydraulic drills on various terrains and job types including mines, quarries, and development sites
• Equipment maintenance: Conducts daily maintenance for safe and efficient operation of assigned equipment
• Pre-operation Inspections: Performs pre-operation inspections and workplace exams per company policy
• Drill pattern execution: Understands and follows drill patterns/layouts provided by Project Managers
• Hole quality assurance: Visually inspects and measures holes to ensure they meet required specifications
• Progress communication: Provides regular updates to Project Managers; reports any delays or challenges
• Technology use: Utilizes the Strayos Fielder mobile app to execute and document drill patterns
• Team meetings: Participates in weekly Drilling Department Teams meetings
• Blasting support: Assists with blasting operations when needed.
• Worksite housekeeping: Maintains a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Additional duties: Performs any additional duties to support the overall drilling operations and team objectives.

Safety

• Safety commitment: Maintains a safety-first mindset and consistently follows all safety policies, procedures, and regulations to help ensure a safe work environment for self and others.

Benefits

• Company Paid Lodging: When working on jobs requiring more than 1.5 hours one-way travel time, we arrange and pay 100 percent of lodging accomodations.
• Paid Travel Time:
• Per diem: $40.00 per day when staying at a company paid hotel.
• Company Phone: We provide Operators with iPhones or a monthly cell phone allowance for phone calls, emails, text messaging and mobile time keeping.
• Fuel Card and Credit Card: We provide Operators with fuel cards and credit cards for company expenses.
• Paid Time Off:
• Paid Holidays:
• Health Insurance: We offer health insurance at a cost of $59/month for the employee portion of the basic plan. We also offer buy up plan options that have lower deductibles.
• Vision Insurance: We pay 100% of employee premiums
• Dental Insurance: We offer Dental insurance through Cigna and cover a portion of the employee premium for dental benefits.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees are given the option to contribute a portion of their earnings, pre-tax, into a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). They can use the funds contributed to their account to pay for qualified medical or dependent care expenses that are not covered by insurance.
• Voluntary Insurance: We offer a voluntary insurance program for Critical Illness, Accident Protection, Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): With this benefit program, employees and members of their household can receive free, confidential counseling servicesto help work through both personal and professional issues.
• 401k: We match 100% of the first 3% of your salary that you contribute, and 50% of the amount that exceeds 3%, up to 5% of your annual earnings. In addition, ARI may make a profit-sharing contribution to your account at the end of the plan year.

ARI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or other bases prohibited by applicable law.

Department: Drilling & Blasting This is a full time position