Lead Rotary Drilling Operative Geotechnical Drilling Edinburgh
Job Description
Overview Lead Rotary Drilling Operative
Location: Scotland
Salary: Competitive
Contract Type: Permanent
At Ground Control Geotechnical Solutions (GCGS), our mission is to deliver innovative, sustainable, and high-quality geotechnical solutions that support the safe and efficient delivery of infrastructure projects. By leading with technical excellence, operational integrity, and environmental responsibility, we aim to set a new standard in ground investigation and geotechnical drilling services.
Role Purpose
The Lead Rotary Drilling Operative plays a vital role in the safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of geotechnical site investigation works. This position is responsible for operating drilling rigs, supervising on-site drilling teams, maintaining equipment, and ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards.
As a hands-on leader, the role ensures drilling activities are executed with precision, promoting technical excellence, operational efficiency, and a commitment to safety. This role also supports the development of less experienced operatives through on-the-job training and mentoring.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
- Operational Delivery
- Operate Rotary Drilling Equipment: Operate and maintain rotary drilling rigs, ensuring safe and efficient use in alignment with project specifications.
- Support or Lead in Other Drilling Operations as Needed
- Cable Percussive (Shell & Auger) – for cohesive soils, soft rock, and unconsolidated strata.
- Windowless Sampling – for shallow cohesive soils and environmental sampling.
- Dynamic Probing – for in-situ strength profiling.
- Concrete Coring – for access through hard surfaces and structures.
- 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.
- Leadership & Team Supervision
- 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.
- Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance
- 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 and via the SafetyCulture App.
- 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.
- Technical Expertise & Quality Assurance
- Geobore S: Operate the Geobore S rotary coring system as the primary rotary drilling method for site investigations, ensuring maximum sample recovery in superficial deposits, mixed ground, and weak rock.
- 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 technical deliverables 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, Tools & Materials Management
- 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.
- Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Client Interaction: Act as the on-site representative for GCGS, 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 GCGS’s reputation for technical expertise and high standards of service.
- Skills & Experience Required
- Essential: Proven experience in rotary drilling operations, with hands-on experience in ground investigation drilling, in particular Geobore S.
- Strong understanding of drilling techniques, including open-hole drilling, core drilling, and wireline coring.
- Practical knowledge of geotechnical investigations, soil mechanics, and geological materials, and in-situ testing, and installations.
- 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.
- Desirable
- 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.
Personal Attributes
- Leadership: Ability to inspire, support, and guide the on-site team, ensuring tasks are completed safely and to a high standard.
- Problem Solving: Capable of identifying, diagnosing, and resolving technical issues on-site.
- Attention to Detail: Ensures the accuracy of drilling, sampling, and data collection processes.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of on-site works, ensuring completion on time, within budget, and to specification.
- Resilience: Comfortable working outdoors in challenging ground conditions and variable weather.
- Communication: Able to communicate clearly with clients, team members, and supervisors.
Health & Safety Responsibilities
As the Lead Rotary Drilling Operative, you are responsible for ensuring that all drilling activities are carried out safely. This includes:
- Conducting daily safety briefings and toolbox talks.
- Ensuring all site-specific risk controls are implemented.
- Reporting incidents, near-misses, and unsafe conditions.
- Leading by example in PPE compliance and safe working practices.
Training & Development
- NVQ qualifications in land drilling and geotechnical investigations.
- Ongoing technical training in rotary drilling and rig operation.
- Access to health & safety certification courses (e.g., First Aid, SMSTS, or equivalent).
- Opportunities to progress to more senior supervisory or managerial roles within GCGS.
Why join us:
Career Development Focus:We’re committed to supporting your professional growth with clear career paths, training, and tailored development programs, including our GC Leadership Academy, job specific accreditations and higher education opportunities.
Exciting Growth Opportunities:Be part of a rapidly growing company with a dynamic team and expanding client base.
Collaborative Environment:Work in a supportive, engaging, and innovative culture where your contributions are valued.
Competitive Package:Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package, along with flexible working options, including:
23 days holiday, Increasing with length of service + bank holidays
Yearly bonus scheme & Share options
Robust pension scheme
Medigold employee support, Free Flu Jabs, Online private GP Service
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