Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

Career Description: Operate a variety of drills--such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic--to tap sub-surface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

Industry: Construction and Extraction

Other Job Titles for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
• Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
• Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
• Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
• Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
• Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
• Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
• Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
• Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
• Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
• Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
• Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
• Record drilling progress and geological data.
• Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
• Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
• Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
• Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
• Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
• Document geological formations encountered during work.
• Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
• Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
• Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures in order to develop wells.
• Design well pumping systems.
• Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
• Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
• Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
• Signal crane operators to move equipment.
• Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
• Fabricate well casings.
• Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.

Emerging Tasks

• Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns.
• Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
• Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• collect samples for testing
• connect sections of drill pipe
• drive automobile, van, or light truck
• drive truck with capacity greater than 3 tons
• extract core sample or drill rod from well hole
• inspect core samples to determine nature of strata
• judge terrain conditions for vehicle or equipment operation
• maintain or repair construction machinery or equipment
• monitor drilling operation or strata being drilled
• monitor operation of drilling equipment
• operate earth-moving or other heavy construction equipment
• operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
• operate power driven pumps
• operate tractor with accessories or attachments
• record drilling progress or geological data
• remove or retrieve tools, equipment, casings or pipe from wells
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• use hand or power tools
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• install siding or sheeting
• install wall or ceiling shock-absorbing paneling or acoustical tiles
• lay out woodworking projects
• measure and mark reference points or cutting lines on workpieces
• move or fit heavy objects
• perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
• read blueprints
• read specifications
• read tape measure
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• understand construction specifications
• use basic carpentry techniques
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• verify trueness of structure using plumb bob or level
• paint walls or other structural surfaces
• perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
• position, align, or level machines, equipment, or structures
• prepare building surfaces for paint, finishes, wallpaper, or adhesives
• prepare site or surfaces for concrete or masonry work
• read tape measure
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• repair cracks, defects, or damage in installed building materials
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• understand construction specifications
• use basic carpentry techniques
• use concrete fabrication techniques
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use hazardous disposal techniques
• use hazardous materials information
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use spray paint equipment
• use surfacing machine to polish terrazzo or concrete
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• work as a team member
• understand construction specifications
• use basic carpentry techniques
• use basic plumbing techniques
• use building materials for routine building maintenance
• use building or land use regulations
• use concrete fabrication techniques
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use oral or written communication techniques
• verify trueness of structure using plumb bob or level
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$17.46
• Average annual wage (2007) - $36,310.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 6.54%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 1,418
• Employment (2006): 21,681

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