discovering geothermal energy faster with big data
Role Overview
Title: Driller
Hours: Full-time; Salaried + bonuses
Salary: Range $60-$100K/year
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Manager: Field Operations Manager
Mission – Why we exist and why we need you
Geothermal energy is the massive renewable energy below our feet. There is 2,300 times more energy in geothermal heat in the ground than in oil, gas, coal, and methane combined. However, it’s been hard to find the right places to get that energy cheaply. At Zanskar, we’re exploring for and developing new resources in order to make geothermal a vital contributor to a fully carbon-free electricity grid.
We need a full-time Driller to help manage and operate our light- to medium-duty direct-push drill rigs as part of our field data collection program. Our field data collection program consists of teams of geotechs working in remote areas gathering a variety of surface and shallow subsurface data (temperature, geochemistry). Your role as a driller will be to help manage and operate our UTV- and track-mounted drill rigs to enable shallow (<250 ft depth) sampling and monitoring well installation for geothermal exploration.
Additionally, we’ll look to the Driller to expand the capabilities of our drilling fleet, by identifying and procuring new equipment and training to enable coring and rotary drilling to shallow depths using our “combination” rigs (our rigs are capable of core and rotary drilling) as well as potentially procuring new rigs. Must be willing to travel, as this role will primarily require being in the field, depending on the needs of a specific project.
Outcomes - Problems you’ll solve
During the first three months, you will focus on operating our rigs in the field to familiarize yourself with our equipment, teams and processes, as well as to collect new temperature and geochemical data. By the end of those three months, we expect you to have begun identifying deficiencies in those processes as well as dependencies that can lead to failures or setbacks in the field during future drilling campaigns.
You’ll also be responsible for helping train full-time and part-time geotechnical staff to better support the operation of our shallow sampling rigs.
Key systems/processes/policies include:
- People: training others to support and operate rigs
- Safety: 40 hour PSHE Hazwoper certification
- Licenses: Class A CDL (with clean MVR), Utah Well driller license
- Equipment: maintenance, procurement, fleet management
- Planning / Mgmt: coordination with geoscience & other company functions to ensure equipment and logistics are in place for smooth and safe field operations
Success after 3 months will look like smooth operations of all rigs in remote field conditions with no injuries, as well as plans for improving logistics, operations and for expanding our drilling capabilities.
Competencies – What we’re looking for
Field Operations: Demonstrated experience (4+ years) operating direct push, core or water well drilling rigs for sampling and monitoring well installation. Preferred experience includes operating core and rotary drillings rigs and in working in remote settings. It will be your responsibility to ensure the right equipment is procured and maintained to execute drilling projects safely. You will also be asked to anticipate drilling risks and develop contingency plans to ensure continuous operations.
Strong leadership and Communication Skills: Must be able to read and speak English (we have many field teams with complex logistics; real-time communication is vital).
Safety Focused: Demonstrated track record of operating drill rigs safely. Safety conscious for not just themselves, but also members of their team. Someone who does not cut corners on safety in the interest of meeting deadlines/saving time.
Detail Oriented and Honest: Field data are Zanskar’s life blood; we rely on accurate and precise field measurements to make exploration and development decisions. The data you collect must meet rigorous sampling standards and cut no corners.
Fitness: Must be physically and mentally able to work in harsh weather conditions in remote settings. Must be able to lift heavy tooling and equipment.
Location, Salary, and Benefits
- The position is located in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area.
Benefits include paid holidays, 15 days PTO, medical and dental coverage, stock options, a direct impact in displacing carbon emissions, and growth opportunities in a growing startup environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Zanskar is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practice laws.