Lead Rotary Drilling Operative

• Operate Rotary Drilling Equipment: Operate and maintain rotary drilling rigs, ensuring safe and efficient use in alignment with project specifications.
• Set-Up & Site Preparation: Plan and prepare drilling sites, ensuring the correct set-up of plant, equipment, and supporting infrastructure.
• Daily Drilling Activities: Carry out open-hole drilling, core drilling, and rock coring as required for geotechnical site investigations.
• Quality Control: Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and quality of soil and rock samples for laboratory analysis.
• Equipment Management: Conduct pre-start checks, daily maintenance, and minor repairs on drilling equipment, escalating larger maintenance needs as required.
• Completion of Site Works: Ensure works are completed on schedule and in line with the project scope, specifications, and client requirements.

• Team Leadership: Lead a team of rotary drilling operatives, labourers, and support staff on-site.
• Task Allocation: Assign daily tasks to drilling operatives, ensuring each member of the team understands their responsibilities.
• Mentoring & Training: Provide on-the-job training and guidance to less experienced operatives to build technical competence.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor the performance of drilling teams, providing feedback, encouragement, and support for continuous improvement.

• Safety Leadership: Ensure all on-site activities comply with company health, safety, and environmental (HSE) policies, procedures, and industry regulations.
• Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS): Conduct site-specific risk assessments and ensure all team members understand method statements and site-specific controls.
• HSE Reporting: Report any safety incidents, near-misses, or unsafe practices to the site supervisor or project manager.
• Emergency Response: Act as the lead contact for on-site emergency response, ensuring the safety of all personnel.
• PPE Compliance: Ensure all site operatives wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow site safety rules.

• Geotechnical Sampling: Ensure the accurate collection, handling, and logging of soil and rock samples to the highest standards.
• Data Recording: Maintain accurate records of drilling progress, sample collection, and daily logs, ensuring all information is captured correctly.
• Reporting: Support the production of factual and interpretive site investigation reports by providing clear, accurate, and timely field data.
• Problem Solving: Identify and resolve technical and operational challenges on-site, escalating issues to senior leadership if required.

• Equipment Inspections: Conduct daily and weekly inspections of drilling rigs, tools, and machinery, reporting and documenting any defects.
• Inventory Management: Ensure an adequate supply of drill bits, tooling, and consumables is available for site works.
• Site Security: Ensure all equipment and materials are secured on-site at the end of each day.
• Preventative Maintenance: Identify and report potential issues with equipment before they become critical, helping to reduce downtime.

• Client Interaction: Act as the on-site representative for GCEE, engaging with clients, landowners, and third-party stakeholders when required.
• Progress Updates: Provide daily progress updates to site supervisors or project managers, flagging any issues that may affect project delivery.
• Client Satisfaction: Ensure drilling activities are conducted professionally, protecting GCEE's reputation for technical expertise and high standards of service.

• Proven experience in rotary drilling operations, with hands-on experience in ground investigation drilling.
• Strong understanding of drilling techniques, including open-hole drilling, core drilling, and wireline coring.
• Practical knowledge of geotechnical investigations, soil mechanics, and geological materials.
• Ability to operate and maintain rotary drilling rigs and associated equipment.
• Experience with daily operational planning, team supervision, and performance management.
• Knowledge of HSE regulations, CDM requirements, and site risk assessment procedures.
• Experience in working on large infrastructure, utilities, or construction projects.

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Land Drilling, or equivalent geotechnical drilling qualifications.
• First Aid certification, including emergency response training.
• Experience in foundation piling, embankment stabilisation, and slope stability.
• Knowledge of ground investigation logging software, data collection apps, or on-site digital tools.

Ground Control