O*NET Career Intelligence

Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

SOC 47-5021.00

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.

Zone 2 Construction and Extraction

Skills

Knowledge

Job Zone

Green

Top Skills 8

Operation Monitoring

4.0

Operation and Control

3.9

Critical Thinking

3.2

Equipment Maintenance

3.2

Monitoring

3.1

Active Listening

3.0

Speaking

3.0

Coordination

3.0

Knowledge Areas 8

Mechanical

3.5

Administration and Management

3.3

Transportation

3.3

Public Safety and Security

3.3

Design

3.1

Mathematics

3.0

Production and Processing

2.9

Law and Government

2.8

Key Tasks

1Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.

2Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.

3Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.

4Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.

5Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.

Also Known As

Auger Operator Blast Hole Driller Boring Machine Operator Churn Drill Operator Churn Driller Construction Driller Core Driller Deep Well Contractor Diamond Driller Directional Driller