Chief Driller

About the Ethiopian Red Cross Society

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established in 1935 and is one of the oldest and largest humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia. ERCS provides services to communities affected by natural and manmade disasters through the provision of emergency responses, ambulance and first aid, family reunification, essential drugs, water and sanitation, and other humanitarian services. ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. Currently the ERCS has a structure consisting of 15 Regional Offices, Zonal Branches and District/Woreda Branches, Woreda Red Cross Committee and Kebele Red Cross committees.

ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs relating to food security, climate change adaptation, livelihood diversification, and institutional capacity building interventions, with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. ERCS works in partnership with the Ethiopian Government, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), partnering National Societies, members, volunteers and the communities we serve.

1. Details of the vacant position

• Reports to: Manager (Lead Hydrogeologist)
• Work Unit: ERCS Water Well Drilling Service Unit
• Terms of employment: Contract

II. Job Summary

The Chief Driller will lead the full operationalization of water well drilling and play a critical role in overseeing and implementing the drilling of both shallow and deep wells across various regions in Ethiopia in different geological formations. This position requires a highly skilled professional with expertise in managing the technical, logistical, and operational aspects of well drilling. The Chief Driller will ensure the proper functioning of all drilling equipment, including the drilling machine, compressor, drilling bits, and other essential tools and materials. The role also includes facilitating the procurement of drilling materials, coordinating their mobilization to drilling sites, and ensuring the successful completion of the wells within the project timeline.

This position requires close coordination with Manager (Lead Hydrogeologist), the drilling crew and logistics team to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of required materials and water well drilling. The Chief Driller will act as the focal point for all drilling-related activities and will be responsible for maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency, and safety.

Key performance area

• Undertakes the facilitation and organization of mobilization, inter site mobilization and demobilization of the drilling crew and machines.
• Undertake drilling tasks at the assigned sites, report timely the progress of the drilling operation; and provide with the necessary information for well completion.
• Supervise proper setting of the drilling rig and use of proper tools; manage the movement of field vehicles, trucks, fuel utilization and petty cash at a field level to be used for the drilling works.
• Plan and facilitate the regular service and maintenance of the drilling rig, compressor and trucks along with the chief mechanic or the mechanic driver.
• Provides lithological samples and other relevant data for casing arrangement and assist the Drilling Operation Officer and geophysicist team during lithological and geophysical logging.
• Prepares and timely submit list of drilling supplies and other items required to be purchased periodically, as required, and annually.
• Give the transportation service for the drilling crew by driving light vehicle of the drilling team.
• Trains and guide the assistant drillers.
• Ensures that shallow and deep wells drilling operations are carried out in a quality and efficient manner with the help of various equipment developed by technology.
• Takes the necessary precautions for the profession, recognizing the problems that may arise during drilling.
• Monitors and ensures that the safety of the drilling machine is maintained and that precautions are taken to prevent drilling problems.
• Ensures that the drilling equipment, materials and workers used for drilling are transported to the work site.
• Reads and interprets the equipment installed on the drilling equipment to ensure that it is suitable for good work results and monitors its use.
• Takes quick and quality field decisions and actions when technical and administrative problems arise in the drilling process.
• Prepares and signs the report form for fuel consumption, drilling speed, etc. during drilling.
• Performs all repairs on drilling equipment and related equipment.
• Ensures that DRILLING MUD is properly mixed and used.
• Order and Ensures that the correct size of gravel is added to the well during drilling.
• Manage and Lead drilling crew and field resources
• During drilling work, he makes every effort to ensure that the work is completed and used for the benefit of the client by cooperating and communicating with the local government and public organizations and the residents.
• Performs other similar tasks assigned by the water well drilling service unit manager

Qualification Requirements:

Education:

• Degree/Diploma/Certificate in Auto mechanics, Drilling Technology/Electricity, General mechanics with a professional license of chief driller III and above.

Experience:

• 8/10 years’ relevant work experience, out of which 2 years in leading water well drilling team.

Skills and Competencies.

• Time management and leadership.
• Good communication and teamwork.