Summary What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months/years with possible extensions up to a total of 4 years without further competition. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Salary: WG-07: $29.03 (Rate 01) to $33.85 (Rate 05); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. Responsibilities As a Drill Rig Operator within the Research Drilling Program, some of your specific duties will include: Acts as back or journeyman driller, directs and assists in setting up rig and drilling holes to depths as great as 3,000 feet. Uses all types of drill bits from simple drag bits to tri-cone bits to carbide bits to diamond impregnated bits. Preforms Drilling methods that include direct and reverse mud rotary and air rotary, downhole air hammer, continuous core, auger, direct push and any other method deemed necessary to complete the mission. Obtains geologic cores from holes using a variety of different core barrels under difficult geologic conditions. Performs all preventive maintenance and overhaul on drill rig and accessory equipment. Responsible for working well within a unit, able to follow directions given Additional Requirements of the Job: Must operate a government vehicle as an incidental driver. Work days are typically 12 hour shifts in strenuous conditions and extreme weather. Lifting objects up to 100 lbs will be required. Climbing and working at heights 30' to 40' feet above ground will be required. Physical Effort: Drill rig operation work involves standing for prolonged periods, walking, bending, pushing, reaching, pulling, lifting and working long shifts. Work days are typically 12 hours per day and sometimes more. Machinery control work is done in close proximity to rotating drill shaft or tool hammering operations, requiring quick reflex action to respond to drilling problems. Frequently handles objects weighing 40 to100 pounds and occasionally, tools, samples, and equipment that are heavier. Working Conditions: Work on sites requires the wearing of protective gear against possible exposure to chemical hazards. Use of specified personal protective equipment is mandatory. Works in all kinds of weather, frequently in wet, muddy, and dry conditions, exposed to poison growth, reptiles, insects, and under noisy conditions. Exposed to cuts and bruises in using tools and working around moving machinery, strains while breaking or adding joints to drive shaft, slips and falls in wet weather, and the possibility of electric shock or bums. And travel typically up to 21 days in the field without time off. Requirements Conditions of Employment Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record. A valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement is required as a condition of employment. You will be expected to obtain a valid CDL within one year after reporting for duty. Failure to obtain or maintain a CDL will result in the termination of appointment Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam and drug test. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? Drug Test & Pre-Employment Medical - Prior to appointment, the selectee is required to take and pass, at Federal expense: (1) a physical exam; and (2) a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use. From thereon, the incumbent may be subject to random drug testing. You will operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle as part of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) Have a valid State CDL License or be able to Obtain such within 90 days of hire. (2) Provide a copy of your driving record. (3) If selected, you are required to provide proof of a valid State CDL License & a copy of your driving record. Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued. A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system. Qualifications There is no specific length of training or experience required; however, applicants resume must be able to demonstrate the ability to perform the basic work of the position without more than normal supervision through experience shown in the written resume and responses to the job-related task statements in this announcement. To qualify for this position applicants must meet the identified screen-out element below. Screen-Out Element: Without more than normal supervision, applicants must be able to perform Drill Rig Operator task/duties: Obtains geologic cores from holes using a variety of different core barrels under difficult geologic conditions. Preform Drilling methods that include direct and reverse mud rotary and air rotary, downhole air hammer, continuous core, auger, direct push and any other method deemed necessary to complete the mission. Operate and perform basic maintenance/repair of drill rigs, water trucks, trailers, compressors, pumps, and other auxiliary equipment. These and similar tasks must be accomplished without more than normal supervision. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. Education Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs . Additional Information Incentive Possible: A recruitment incentive of $2,500 MAY be authorized in filling this position. Incentive payments should be 50% paid at 6 months of employment with a balance paid out at 9 months with an expected retention period of 1 year. A service agreement will be required. Other Information: After the initial 13-month appointment, this appointment may be extended for a period not to exceed a total of 4-years. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position. USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Agency Benefits: USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies. Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.