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Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

SOC 47-5023.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers earth drilling operations (excluding oil and gas) across construction and extraction environments, from entry-level rig assistance through organizational leadership of multi-site drilling programs.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Drill controls and stabilization levers — identify and operate under direct supervision to position and align a drill rig on a standard construction site.
  2. Drilling speed and casing insertion — start and stop the machine following step-by-step instructions from a lead driller on a routine boring job.
  3. Air pressure and rotary speed gauges — read and report readings to a supervisor when drilling through common rock or concrete formations.
  4. Drill bits and drill rods — select and attach correct components under guidance, adding rods as hole depth increases on a supervised crew.
  5. Truck-mounted drilling equipment — assist in driving, leveling, and stabilizing the rig under direct crew supervision at a job site.
  6. Earth cuttings and borehole dust — operate flushing and blowout equipment following standard procedures to keep holes clear during drilling.
  7. Boring depth and alignment measurements — verify and record hole depths and positions using basic measuring tools under a lead driller's oversight.
  8. Routine lubrication and minor part replacement — perform basic maintenance tasks on drilling machinery following a written checklist at the end of a shift.
  9. Personal protective equipment and site hazard signs — recognize and follow safety protocols to protect oneself and co-workers on a drilling site.
  10. Verbal instructions and crew communications — listen actively and confirm understanding of task assignments during pre-shift briefings on a drilling crew.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Rig stabilization controls and telescoping derricks — extend and lock components independently to level and align equipment on varied terrain without constant supervision.
  2. Drilling speed and downward pressure settings — regulate and adjust parameters for different rock or concrete types based on observed bit performance during routine jobs.
  3. Drill bit condition and rod inventory — evaluate wear and exchange bits or add rods as needed to maintain efficient hole progression on a mid-size boring project.
  4. Air pressure and rotary speed calibration — adjust settings in real time to match soil and rock transitions encountered on a typical excavation assignment.
  5. Borehole depth and alignment verification — confirm positions using measuring instruments and log results accurately in field records for quality assurance purposes.
  6. Routine machine maintenance and drill bit build-up — perform scheduled upkeep, including bit restoration and lubrication, on a two- to three-machine crew without a supervisor present.
  7. Equipment fault symptoms — monitor machine sounds, vibrations, and instrument readings to identify early signs of mechanical problems during an active drilling shift.
  8. Flushing and dust-control systems — operate and troubleshoot cuttings removal equipment to maintain clean boreholes across multiple hole types and soil conditions.
  9. Job site coordination — communicate schedule changes and equipment status to crew members and a foreman to keep a multi-rig project on pace.
  10. Spreadsheet and word processing software — record daily production data and equipment logs using standard office suite tools for project documentation purposes.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full rig positioning and alignment sequence — execute all stabilization, leveling, and derrick extension steps autonomously across varied and challenging site conditions.
  2. Complex drilling parameter management — regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and penetration rate simultaneously while adapting to unpredictable subsurface formations on a large-scale project.
  3. Drill bit and rod selection for non-standard formations — choose and configure appropriate tooling for hard rock, fractured strata, or reinforced concrete without supervisor input.
  4. Machine performance diagnosis and troubleshooting — isolate mechanical root causes and implement corrective action on-site to minimize downtime on critical boring operations.
  5. Preventive and corrective maintenance plans — build up and restore drill bits, replace high-wear components, and schedule lubrication cycles to extend equipment service life.
  6. Borehole quality verification — assess depth, alignment, and casing integrity against project specifications and flag deviations before they affect downstream construction activities.
  7. Multi-hazard site safety management — apply public safety and equipment-specific protocols to protect the crew and public during drilling near utilities or in confined areas.
  8. Critical problem solving for unexpected subsurface conditions — evaluate drilling resistance, cuttings characteristics, and rig feedback to adjust methods in real time on a complex boring contract.
  9. Mobile location-based services software — use GPS and positioning tools to confirm borehole coordinates and update site layout records during a precision drilling assignment.
  10. Cross-trade coordination — collaborate with engineers, surveyors, and other trades to align drilling schedules and specifications with overall project milestones.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Drilling program strategy and rig deployment planning — design equipment selection criteria, hole sequencing, and crew assignments to optimize production across a multi-site contract portfolio.
  2. Crew training and skills development — mentor entry-level and developing drillers in machine operation, safety procedures, and quality standards to build a high-performance field team.
  3. Fleet maintenance standards and upgrade programs — establish preventive maintenance schedules, approve major equipment rebuilds, and evaluate new tooling technologies for organizational adoption.
  4. Organizational safety culture and regulatory compliance — set site safety policies, conduct audits, and ensure all drilling operations meet OSHA and public safety requirements across all company projects.
  5. Complex problem resolution at organizational scale — lead the diagnosis and correction of systemic equipment failures or recurring drilling quality issues affecting multiple active projects.
  6. Performance metrics and quality control systems — design and implement production monitoring, depth-accuracy tracking, and quality control analysis frameworks used across the company's drilling operations.
  7. Budget and resource management for drilling operations — forecast equipment, labor, and consumable costs, and control expenditures to deliver projects within approved financial parameters.
  8. Client and stakeholder communication — represent the organization in technical discussions with engineers, project owners, and regulators to define scope, address concerns, and secure future work.
  9. Equipment selection and procurement decisions — evaluate and recommend new drilling rigs, bits, and support technologies based on operational data and emerging industry standards.
  10. Knowledge management and best-practice documentation — author and maintain standard operating procedures, training materials, and field guides that codify organizational expertise for the drilling workforce.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Auger Operator · Blast Driller · Blast Hole Driller · Boring Machine Operator · Churn Drill Operator · Churn Driller · Construction Driller · Construction Well Drill Operator · Core Driller · Debris Monitor · Deep Well Contractor · Diamond Driller
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingEquipment MaintenanceMonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingEquipment SelectionQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshooting
Knowledge domains
MechanicalAdministration and ManagementTransportationPublic Safety and SecurityDesign
Abilities
Control PrecisionReaction TimeMultilimb CoordinationArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexterityDepth PerceptionRate ControlNear VisionPerceptual SpeedInformation Ordering
Work styles
DependabilityCautiousnessAttention to DetailPerseveranceStress ToleranceIntegrity
Technology
Mobile location based services softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
  2. Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
  3. Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
  4. Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
  5. Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
  6. Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
  7. Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
  8. Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
CIP education codes
46.050449.0202

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.