HIGHWAY DRILLING OPERATOR
Highway Drilling Operator sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
The requirements come down to 2 years of relevant experience and a commercial driver's license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $47,916 to $69,346.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the supervision of an Assistant Crew Supervisor, Highway Drilling Operations or other supervisory officer in the Bureau of Geotechnical Engineering, Design Service, Transportation Department, either working alone or as one of the group, operates, checks, services, and with assistance, makes emergency repairs and minor repairs to various types of mechanized equipment used in drilling operations; checks, cleans, and services specialized tools and equipment used in drilling operations; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Operates pick-up, water tank, and rackbody trucks, drilling rigs, and other equipment as may be required.
- Checks, services, and makes minor and emergency adjustments and repairs to drilling equipment in the field and shop as may be assigned.
- Moves equipment from one location to another.
- Takes and assists in the retention and labeling of soil and rock samples.
- Assists in the accurate recording of information on bore hole logs as may be required.
- Maintains records of fuel consumption and mileage when operating trucks, and other simple records as required.
- Operates chain saws and hand tools to clear trees and brush at work sites as required.
- Operates water pumps and small outboard motors.
- Cleans, maintains, and makes minor repairs to specialized drilling tools and equipment used in drilling operations.
- Works with crew in the placing and removal of drill rigs and barges from lakes, rivers and bays, and in performing soil and rock borings on the barge.
- Uses a variety of specialized soil and rock sampling equipment during drilling operations.
- Measures and marks pipe and other related equipment in the performance of drilling operations.
- Maintains safe working conditions at drilling sites, including snow and ice removal in cold weather.
- Makes blacktop repairs on roadways where boreholes are made.
- Makes repairs to landscape damage caused by drilling operations.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in a test drilling crew, or in similar work which shall have included experience in the operation, adjustment, and maintenance of a drilling rig and other related equipment used in drilling operations.
License
Appointees must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the skilled and safe operations of mechanized equipment used in drilling operations.
- Knowledge of the operations and procedures involved in drilling operations, including the proper use, care, adjustment, cleaning, greasing, servicing, and minor repair of drilling equipment and specialized tools.
- Knowledge of safety rules and regulations concerning mechanized and overhead equipment.
- Ability to analyze fairly complex problems involving the operation of trucks and other mechanized equipment in drilling activities.
- Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directions of some complexity.
- Ability to quickly learn the proper use of specialized equipment through explanations and demonstrations.
- Ability to operate mechanized equipment of various types used in drilling operations in a skilled and safe manner.
- Ability to check, clean, service and assist in making minor and emergency repairs to mechanized and complex drilling equipment.
- Ability to learn to identify the basic types of soil and rock found throughout the state.
- Ability to maintain simple records and an accurate and legible boring log.
- Ability to take accurate measurements with tape or ruler, and to add and subtract measurements.
- Ability to efficiently operate and use specialized drilling equipment and tools.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: O14- JMR 4/1/93