Lead Driller

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Driller to join our team. If you have a background in soil and rock drilling and a passion for geotechnical exploration, we’d love to hear from you!

The Lead Driller is responsible for overseeing and performing drilling operations, including soil and rock sampling, for various geotechnical and environmental projects throughout the state. This role involves leading the drilling team, ensuring project safety, efficiency, and compliance with environmental regulations.

Principal Duties

Conducts geotechnical drilling operations, including soil and rock sampling, using various types of drilling equipment.
Coordinates site access and schedules utility locates.
Advances borings using hollow stem auger, rotary wash, and rock coring techniques.
Installs instrumentation such as piezometers and inclinometers.
Interprets site plans, communicates with project engineers, and ensures projects align with specifications.
Maintains drilling equipment, ensuring operational readiness, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Evaluates test results, accurately documents field activities, sample data, makes recommendations, and communicates findings.
Collaborates with other divisions and regions to improve project efficiency and quality.
Lead or functionally supervise staff; delegate work assignments, monitor/review quality of work, schedule staff, provide technical assistance or training, and/or provide input on performance appraisal, hiring and discipline.

Minimum Qualifications
Valid Utah Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) or the ability to obtain one within 60 days after hire.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to adapt to challenging field conditions.
Preferences
Preference may be given to those who have at least one of the following:
Experience operating a drill rig used for soils investigation drilling and sampling.
Experience maintaining and servicing mechanical and heavy equipment.
Proficient in various drilling techniques, including auger drilling, coring, and mud rotary drilling.
Supplemental Information
Additional information of which you should be aware:
Registration with the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) is a requirement for all CDL holder’s. Selected candidates will be required to register and authorize UDOT to conduct full pre-employment queries and limited queries on their CDL for the duration of their employment in order to be considered for this role. Register by visiting https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Register.
Statewide travel required.
This position is subject to random drug and alcohol testing of employees after hire.
Standard 40 hours per week; schedule subject to change and subject to 24-hour availability, overtime, and varied work schedules due to inclement weather conditions, job assignment, and emergencies.
Working Conditions: Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
Physical Requirements: Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions, stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.

Why Should You Join Our Team?

The work we do matters. If you want to make a positive difference doing meaningful work, this is the right place for you. Our mission statement is, “Enhance quality of life through transportation.” We define quality of life through a framework of Good Health, Connected Communities, Better Mobility, and Strong Economy. We help the State of Utah and its traveling public to get to where they want, when they want, in the way they want – and we make sure they can do it safely.

You will become part of a team with an internal culture of Trust, Teamwork, and Flexibility. Our organization lives by the values of Respect, Integrity, and Caring. If these are your values, too, you’ll be a great fit.

Aside from working for a cause-driven, cutting edge agency that is leading all other transportation departments in the nation, you will receive great health and retirement benefits. Working for the State of Utah provides a positive work-life balance.

The Agency

UDOT is a strengths-based organization, which means its approach is based on identifying and developing individual and organizational strengths. Our philosophy is to address challenges by bringing our strengths to each situation and create the best solutions. Candidates are encouraged to be familiar with their strengths and consider how they may potentially be of benefit to the roles for which they are applying. UDOT uses the CliftonStrengths Assessment, but there are multiple strengths assessment tools available online, and no formal assessment is required.