Assistant Geotechnical Driller/Equipment Operator (DOT/GO/THOPS #19004)
- State of New Mexico
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Full Time
Assistant Geotechnical Driller/Equipment Operator (DOT/GO/THOPS #19004)
AgencyDepartment of Transportation
Posting End Date07/15/2025
Job Posting TypeContinuous Job Opening
Job ID155895
Location
Santa Fe
Full/Part TimeFull-Time
Regular/TemporaryRegular - PERM for State
Salary
$17.99 - $27.89 Hourly
$37,422 - $58,003 Annually
This position is a Pay Band 50
Posting Details
The Materials Testing Laboratory provides all technical support regarding the design, use, application, evaluation and research associated with all construction materials. The Geotechnical Section provides testing and design of the geologic soils and bedrock formations to insure stability of the roadway facility.
As a valued new employee to NMDOT, you may be eligible to receive three (3) days of administrative leave upon your start date. This is applicable to external hires not within the State of New Mexico Government.
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
Why does the job exist?
This position is for a Highway Maintenance Worker II / Assistant Geotechnical Driller/Operator that will help perform subsurface investigations for highway improvement and foundation design projects.
The operator provides support to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Geotechnical Engineering/Exploration section by assisting in the operation of various types of drill rigs, gathering and recording samples of material, and/or soil for testing to ensure NMDOT is in compliance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
How does it get done?
This position assists geologists and engineers in geotechnical investigations for the purpose of highway foundation design by assisting with the acquisition of soil and rock using hollow stem augers, split spoon samplers, rock core barrels and other specialized geotechnical sampling devices.
Work is completed in various types of terrain, weather, and environments ranging from rural and remote locations to urban, high traffic areas. This position will keep the working area safe, performs inspections to ensure all equipment is in good working condition, maintains all equipment and frequently troubleshoots mechanical problems in the field.
When not operating equipment, the position will assist the crew in completing assigned tasks, including but not limited to general labor.
Who are the customers?
This position serves NMDOT's State Materials Bureau, Foundation Exploration Unit, Geotechnical Design Unit, and the traveling public.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have preferred experience/education in the following areas:
* Working around tire and track mounted geotechnical or
environmental drill rigs (CME-85 and 850 drill rigs; Geoprobe)
* Good physical stamina for working outdoors in various weather conditions
* Maintaining and operating heavy equipment
* Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot problems in the field
* Performing traffic control operations, such as determining traffic control required plan,
monitoring and removal of signs
* Proficient use of stick welding and oxy-acetylene torches
* Basic computer skills
Minimum Qualification
High School diploma or equivalent and six (6) months of experience maintaining roads and operating medium to heavy-duty equipment to include loader, five (5) and ten (10) yard dump trucks, self-propelled brooms, rollers, or mowers. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) months may substitute for the required experience. Must possess a valid driver's license and a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL), (or equivalent licenses from another state) within one (1) year of hire. This position may require Herbicide, Tanker and/or Hazmat endorsement.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
This position is designated a safety sensitive position within the meaning of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 and must abide by all provisions of the Federal Omnibus Transportation Testing Act. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing.
Employment requires successful completion of pre-employment physical exam and is conditional pending results.
Business reference checks and driver's license verification are also required, and employment is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in the field in varying weather conditions - hot or cold, humidity, wind, rain and snow, exposure to sunlight, dust, pollen, chemicals, exposure to moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, toxic fumes/chemicals and/or airborne particles, rough/rugged terrain, noxious plants and infected trash, exposure to hazardous chemicals, insects and reptiles, loud noises, confined spaces, stressful situations, subject to falls and bruises, considerable physical stamina, strain, high speed/high volume traffic, interaction with the public, local county, school and city officials by phone an in person, irregular hours day or night, subject to call out for emergencies, heavy lifting, sitting/standing, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, kneeling and crawling for extended periods of time may be required to perform job duties. Standing for extended periods of time operating equipment or maneuvering drill rods, hand dexterity required, numerous specific vision abilities to include: close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus; ability to lift augers up to 75 pounds. Ensures regulated and proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn. Loads and moves dirt, rocks, equipment or other materials with various pieces of equipment. Works closely with drillers, geologists and engineers to obtain necessary rock and soil samples. Possible interaction with the public. Work may also be performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and personal computer and telephone usage to include working with copiers and printers. Frequent temporary assignments that require travel and extended overnight stays; extended or irregular hours day or night; and call-out away from post of duty to include night time work and snow removal as applicable are required. Changing geographical conditions and continuous statewide, overnight travel Monday through Thursday; will require continuous weekly state-wide travel.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Tara Roth .... Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
AgencyDepartment of Transportation
Posting End Date07/15/2025
Job Posting TypeContinuous Job Opening
Job ID155895
Location
Santa Fe
Full/Part TimeFull-Time
Regular/TemporaryRegular - PERM for State
Salary
$17.99 - $27.89 Hourly
$37,422 - $58,003 Annually
This position is a Pay Band 50
Posting Details
The Materials Testing Laboratory provides all technical support regarding the design, use, application, evaluation and research associated with all construction materials. The Geotechnical Section provides testing and design of the geologic soils and bedrock formations to insure stability of the roadway facility.
As a valued new employee to NMDOT, you may be eligible to receive three (3) days of administrative leave upon your start date. This is applicable to external hires not within the State of New Mexico Government.
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
Why does the job exist?
This position is for a Highway Maintenance Worker II / Assistant Geotechnical Driller/Operator that will help perform subsurface investigations for highway improvement and foundation design projects.
The operator provides support to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Geotechnical Engineering/Exploration section by assisting in the operation of various types of drill rigs, gathering and recording samples of material, and/or soil for testing to ensure NMDOT is in compliance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
How does it get done?
This position assists geologists and engineers in geotechnical investigations for the purpose of highway foundation design by assisting with the acquisition of soil and rock using hollow stem augers, split spoon samplers, rock core barrels and other specialized geotechnical sampling devices.
Work is completed in various types of terrain, weather, and environments ranging from rural and remote locations to urban, high traffic areas. This position will keep the working area safe, performs inspections to ensure all equipment is in good working condition, maintains all equipment and frequently troubleshoots mechanical problems in the field.
When not operating equipment, the position will assist the crew in completing assigned tasks, including but not limited to general labor.
Who are the customers?
This position serves NMDOT's State Materials Bureau, Foundation Exploration Unit, Geotechnical Design Unit, and the traveling public.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have preferred experience/education in the following areas:
* Working around tire and track mounted geotechnical or
environmental drill rigs (CME-85 and 850 drill rigs; Geoprobe)
* Good physical stamina for working outdoors in various weather conditions
* Maintaining and operating heavy equipment
* Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot problems in the field
* Performing traffic control operations, such as determining traffic control required plan,
monitoring and removal of signs
* Proficient use of stick welding and oxy-acetylene torches
* Basic computer skills
Minimum Qualification
High School diploma or equivalent and six (6) months of experience maintaining roads and operating medium to heavy-duty equipment to include loader, five (5) and ten (10) yard dump trucks, self-propelled brooms, rollers, or mowers. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) months may substitute for the required experience. Must possess a valid driver's license and a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL), (or equivalent licenses from another state) within one (1) year of hire. This position may require Herbicide, Tanker and/or Hazmat endorsement.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment.
This position is designated a safety sensitive position within the meaning of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 and must abide by all provisions of the Federal Omnibus Transportation Testing Act. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing.
Employment requires successful completion of pre-employment physical exam and is conditional pending results.
Business reference checks and driver's license verification are also required, and employment is conditional pending results.
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in the field in varying weather conditions - hot or cold, humidity, wind, rain and snow, exposure to sunlight, dust, pollen, chemicals, exposure to moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, toxic fumes/chemicals and/or airborne particles, rough/rugged terrain, noxious plants and infected trash, exposure to hazardous chemicals, insects and reptiles, loud noises, confined spaces, stressful situations, subject to falls and bruises, considerable physical stamina, strain, high speed/high volume traffic, interaction with the public, local county, school and city officials by phone an in person, irregular hours day or night, subject to call out for emergencies, heavy lifting, sitting/standing, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, kneeling and crawling for extended periods of time may be required to perform job duties. Standing for extended periods of time operating equipment or maneuvering drill rods, hand dexterity required, numerous specific vision abilities to include: close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus; ability to lift augers up to 75 pounds. Ensures regulated and proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn. Loads and moves dirt, rocks, equipment or other materials with various pieces of equipment. Works closely with drillers, geologists and engineers to obtain necessary rock and soil samples. Possible interaction with the public. Work may also be performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and personal computer and telephone usage to include working with copiers and printers. Frequent temporary assignments that require travel and extended overnight stays; extended or irregular hours day or night; and call-out away from post of duty to include night time work and snow removal as applicable are required. Changing geographical conditions and continuous statewide, overnight travel Monday through Thursday; will require continuous weekly state-wide travel.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Tara Roth .... Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
Job ID: 485127148
Originally Posted on: 7/14/2025
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