Driller

$5,000 Hiring Incentive Available
Current Department of Transportation Employees and Those from Other State Agencies Do Not Qualify
Former Department of Transportation employees must have a minimum of 1-year break in employment to be eligible for the hiring incentive.

Job ID: 36569
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Planning and Engineering / Office of Materials and Surfacing
Location: Pierre
Salary: $29.86 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GG
Closing Date: 07/14/2026


This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information about the Department of Transportation, please visit

Join a dedicated team of professionals working in a diverse, challenging field. As a Driller with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, you will perform subsurface investigations by operating geotechnical drilling equipment collecting soil information to support design and construction of South Dakota's transportation facilities. Duties include but are not limited to: operating geotechnical drilling and sampling equipment; inspecting and maintaining drill rigs and transport vehicles; and maintaining a supply of inventory items to ensure the worksite is fully stocked and operational.

A typical work week consists of statewide overnight travel Monday through Thursday each week on a year-round basis.

Work assignments are frequently performed outside in all weather conditions and around highway traffic.

What the SDDOT Offers:

• Hiring incentive
• Health insurance (low and high deductible plans which include a $0 premium employee-only coverage plan)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental and Vision
• Health savings account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems

Incumbents must have a valid driver license and must have or obtain a valid commercial driver license (CDL) within 120 days of hire date to retain employment. The incumbent must have a Class A CDL and no restrictions in order to operate any Class A vehicle that is a truck-tractor/semi-trailer, with manual transmission. The CDL must have no transmission restrictions. Employee will be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.


Pursuant to SDCL 32-12A, applicants will be required to authorize the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record. Applicants living outside of South Dakota may be asked to provide a motor vehicle record from their state of residence.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• operation and maintenance of geotechnical exploration drill rigs (preferred but not required);
• preventive equipment maintenance methods.

Skill to:

• operate, maintain, and repair various equipment;
• drive and operate a manual transmission.

Ability to:

• display high standards of ethical conduct;
• display a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• analyze problems and makes sound recommendations;
• attend to all details of assignments and completes work properly, accurately, and thoroughly;
• work cooperatively with others and promote a friendly work climate;
• use arms, legs, and back to safely move, drag, and lift 35 pounds frequently, up to 60 pounds occasionally (without assistance), and 95 or more pounds infrequently (with assistance);
• walk, sit, and stand for extended periods of time;
• routinely reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl;
• have the physical dexterity to operate drilling equipment.

Compensation:
The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Driller is approximately $84,137.00 annually.

Join the South Dakota Department of Transportation! View more about this opportunity here:

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online:
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration
Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io Email: View email address on click.appcast.io


"An Equal Opportunity Employer"