Drilling Lead

Responsible for the overall operation of the drill crew and rig. Supervise duties of Drilling Assistants, identify necessary vehicle maintenance, and provide routine maintenance and cleaning. Perform and oversee drilling activities to ensure efficiency, safety, and quality. This role may require up to 50% out of town travel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Reasonable accommodations or workable solutions may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Field Work:
  • Set up equipment and operate the drill rig in a safe manner, for the purpose of obtaining soil and rock samples.
  • Coordinate with underground utilities/improvements identification.
  • Identify and comply with utility markings at boring locations.
  • Team with the Drill Assistant in surveying test boring locations and elevations.
  • Install monitoring wells and piezometers.
  • Properly seal environmental boreholes per regulatory requirements if needed. Also, properly backfill non-environmental boreholes.
  • Make judgments of appropriate (efficient/productive, but still maintaining the required level of accuracy and safety) drilling procedures to allow obtaining high quality samples based on soil, rock, and/or ground water conditions present.
  • Clean/restore site to a reasonable level.
  • Assist Drill Assistant in field logging as needed to increase efficiency, productivity, and maintain safety.
  • Evaluate encountered soil/groundwater conditions and decide whether office contact (Drilling Supervisor or Project Engineer) is needed to satisfy project quality and/or budget requirements. 
  • Evaluate access conditions and utility clearance risks and decide whether office contact (Drilling Supervisor or Project Engineer) is needed.
• Equipment Maintenance:
  • Identify necessary maintenance and cleaning on assigned drill rig, drilling tools/equipment and auxiliary vehicle, and provide necessary documentation.
  • Perform routine maintenance and cleaning as needed.  For other maintenance items, notify drilling mechanic and drilling supervisor.
  • Properly use and maintain company instruments and equipment.
• Training/Administrative:
  • Supervise duties of Drill Assistant to ensure a safe and efficient operation.
  • Review field logs and judge whether Drill Assistant is correctly recording soil classifications, geologic descriptions, soil layer contacts, and water levels.
  • Ensure that all personnel around the drill rig (including Drill Assistant and visitors) follow company safety procedures (including wearing of PPE).
  • Conduct field, laboratory and office activities in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations, along with AET’s QA and Health and Safety Policies, to promote the safety and protection of employees, clients and the public.
  • Maintain knowledge of regulatory requirements for sealing of environmental boreholes.
  • Accurately and completely fill out timesheets and Drill Crew Daily Log on a daily basis.
  • Participate in education and training. Review Geotechnical Field Manual and associated QA procedures, and have understanding of sampling/field log preparation requirements. 
  • Maintain a good, professional relationship with the client/owner when they are present.
  • Maintain the quality level of work needed for the project at an efficient rate, but still maintaining a safe manner.
  • Coordinate with other AET staff with the ultimate goal of increasing efficiency, productivity and communication.
  • Perform other job duties as needed to meet departmental or company goals.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Direct tasks of Drilling Technician and other on-site staff.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• Mechanical ability (operator, repair, maintenance, welding, etc.)
• Working knowledge of well codes.
• Class D Driver’s License. Must maintain valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record. Maintain compliance with DOT driver regulations, including physicals.
• Some positions may require use of personal vehicle for company business.  

Preferred Qualifications or Skills

• Valid Class A or B CDL.

Pay Transparency 

Base compensation is expected to be in the range of $26.00- $30.00 per hour based on skill set and experience. AET offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health benefits, insurance, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), long term savings, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. The selected candidate must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Work Environment

This job primarily operates primary in a field environment in outdoor conditions, on construction sites with uneven ground and adverse weather conditions. This role secondary operates in an office environment and uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Physical Demands

Capable of the physical labor required including work at hazardous waste sites, with personal protective equipment.

• Ability to:                          
  • Frequently lift 30-60 pounds from the floor to 2 feet.
  • Occasionally lift 60-100 pounds from the floor to 2 feet.
  • Frequently carry 30-60 pounds for 10-30 feet.
  • Occasionally carry 60-100 pounds for 10-30 feet.
  • Stand 80% of the day (often on uneven surfaces).
  • Move 20% of the day, with frequent bending and stooping.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Notice to Third Party Agencies: AET does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting firms. Absent a signed Service Agreement by AET’s Chief People Officer (CPO), AET reserves the right to pursue and hire these candidates without financial obligation to recruiters or agencies.