Trainee Drilling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description As a Drill Rig Operator Trainee, the candidate may, under the supervision of a Drill Rig Operator: obtain soil and rock samples for engineering purposes; record sample blow counts during progression of the borehole; progress borehole by means of hollow stem auger, mud rotary, drilled-in casing, driven casing, or rock coring; measure drill tools and measure and record depth to water and thickness of geological strata; prepare field drill log and maintain productivity and equipment records; drive drilling equipment and support vehicles to borehole site and set up drilling equipment; manually drill hand auger holes, probes, and test pits; operate bulldozers, pumps, and grout mixers; set up maintenance and traffic protection; perform traffic flagging; perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on all drilling equipment; train Drill Rig Operator Trainees and laborers; and supervise the drill crew in the absence of the Drill Rig Operator.
Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department's response to regional and statewide emergency situations.
Minimum Qualifications This is a two-year traineeship that allows the successful candidate to start at the salary level appropriate for the candidate's work experience. All levels require frequent and independent statewide travel from a Region 1 (Latham) base.
Drill Rig Operator Trainee 1, NS=Grade 9
Non-Competitive: Candidate must possess a valid New York State Class D driver's license and be able to pass a medical and physical examination demonstrating the ability to perform physical labor prior to permanent appointment.
Special requirement: Candidate must acquire a New York State Class B commercial driver's license permit by six months into the traineeship.
Drill Rig Operator Trainee 2, NS=Grade 11
Non-Competitive: Candidate must have one year of experience working as a driller's helper in an organization that does geotechnical drilling; possess a valid New York State Class B commercial driver's license without air-brake restriction; must pass a medical and physical examination demonstrating ability to perform physical labor and, within 30 calendar days of hire, must satisfactorily demonstrate ability to meet Drill Rig Operator Trainee 1 drilling skills and pump operation, and have acceptable knowledge of safety, traffic control, and drill tool identification.
Special requirement: Candidate must acquire a New York State Class A commercial driver's license by six months into the traineeship.
Drill Rig Operator (SG-12)
Non-Competitive: Candidate must have two years of experience assisting in the operation of drilling equipment used for acquiring samples of rock, soil, and pavement, and measuring ground water as part of subsurface exploration for geotechnical engineering purposes; possess a valid Class A commercial driver's license without air-brake restriction; must pass a medical examination demonstrating ability to perform heavy physical labor and drilling and within 30 calendar days of hire, must satisfactorily demonstrate ability to meet Drill Rig Operator Trainee 2 drilling and safety skills, know visual soil identification, and complete introduction to instrumentation; and within six months of hire, must complete 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training to identify and deal with hazardous material. Failure to demonstrate required skill level within 30 calendar days would mandate appointment at the Drill Rig Operator Trainee 2 or Drill Rig Operator Trainee 1 level, as appropriate.
Additional Comments Additional Information
The starting salary for this position is $53,560. This amount is comprised of the base hiring salary of $44,560 with an additional geographic pay differential of $9,000, specific to this title and location.
The maximum compensation for this position is $73,321. This amount is comprised of the standard SG-12 job rate of $64,321 with an additional geographic pay differential of $9,000, specific to this title and location.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
The salary range listed reflects the full range for this graded position. For new State employees appointed into graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. For more salary information please visit https://oer.ny.gov/salary-schedules
DOT is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply.
In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States. Candidates for employment must have proper authorization to work in the United States at the time an offer of employment is made. The Department will not sponsor a nonimmigrant for a temporary employment visa (H-1B or similar), OPT STEM, or for permanent residence. Offers of permanent employment may not be made to nonimmigrants whose employment authorization is limited to a period of practical training (F-1 or similar).
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Dodou Jammeh
Telephone
Fax
Email Address Dodou.Jammeh@dot.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Department of Transportation
16 Avis Dr
City Albany
State NY
Zip Code 12232
Notes on Applying To Apply:
Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and a copy of required transcripts (if applicable), titled by last name, with the Notice Number R01-26-093 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest no later than September 11, 2026 to:
NYS Department of Transportation
Dodou Jammeh
16 Avis Drive
Albany, NY 12232
Email: Dodou.Jammeh@dot.ny.gov