Lead Rotary Drilling Operative

Lead Rotary Drilling Operative

Location: London

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Permanent

Mission Statement

At Ground Control Geotechnical Solutions (GCES), 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.

What you’ll do:

The Lead Rotary Drilling Operative plays a vital role in the safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of geotechnical rotary drilling operations. 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

1. Operational Delivery

• 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.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential Skills & Experience

• 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.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• 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.

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
• Free or subsidised national gym memberships
• Employee recognition scheme
• 2 personal choice volunteering days

Ground Control

Ground Control is a UK-based grounds maintenance company powered by the latest technology. Since launching in 1973, Ground Control has grown rapidly and now provides full national coverage for our customers across the UK and Ireland.

We deliver a range of services, including grounds maintenance, winter gritting, landscape construction, design, arboriculture, electric vehicle charging point installation to more than 50,000 commercial properties across the UK.

If you are looking to invest in your future with a business that puts people at the centre of everything, click the apply now button below to speak to a member of our team.

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Equal Opportunities Statement

At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

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