Assistant Driller - Season 2026
Job type: Contract - Seasonal (May to October)
Location: Field-based - Projects around Canada
Day Rate: $300 - $350 per day based on 12-hour field day
Travel Arrangement, meals and accommodation are provided by the company.
Job Purpose
The Assistant Driller is responsible for assisting the Driller in the safe operation and daily maintenance of all equipment and machinery related to the GT Drill Program.
Duties consist of but not limited to, correct daily pre-start and shut-down of equipment, fuel monitoring, and safe connection of all hydraulic hoses/fittings.
The Assistant Driller will also be required to assist the Drill Sample Technician as and when needed.
Job Overview & Direct Report
The job will involve fieldwork in a dry camp during active drilling projects, 12 hours per day with a rotation-based schedule of 28* days on and 14 days off, *subject to change based on program needs, weather or other logistical constraints.
The Assistant Driller will report directly to the Leader Driller Field on site.
Operational Responsibilities
- Assist the Lead Driller with moving, positioning and setting up of the GT Drill, and all associated equipment at each drill site.
- Provide assistance to the Drill Sample Technician with moving, positioning and setup of the GT Sampling equipment.
- Do daily checks on all equipment that have the proper and correct safety guards or ‘whip checks’ with particular attention to the compressor hoses and couplings.
- Ensure all drill equipment, compressors/boosters and tools are kept clean, dust free and in good working order.
- Assist with the slinging of the drill and equipment via helicopter in a safe manner whilst maintaining clear and concise communication with the pilot and drill crew.
- Safe and correct preparation of rods and casing within a small drill timeframe to ensure that drilling remains at a consistent pace.
- Read and understand the Drill Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Binder
- Assist the Driller in performing routine scheduled maintenance on all equipment as described in the GT Drill Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) or as directed by the Driller.
- Ensure that all Personal Protective Equipment is worn and used correctly at all times.
- Assist in recording all consumables used during a shift as well as an ongoing inventory of all gear involved in the GT Drill program.
- Clear communication between team members, drill crews and other site personnel.
- Daily tidy of drill site ensuring that all equipment is correctly and properly stored and all equipment/materials are removed from the drill site at the completion of a drill program.
- Operate a chainsaw to clear drill sites of foliage where needed.
- Any other tasks as directed by the Driller.
Drill Camp:
- Responsible for ensuring a safe, clean and effective drill camp.
- Responsible for ensuring all critical elements of the drill camp are present, provisioned and functional.
- Responsible for the maintenance and integrity of all camp gear.
- May be required to contribute to daily camp duties (camp setup, cooking, dishes, firewood, water) as instructed by the Driller.
Safety and Integrity Responsibilities:
- Complete the mandatory online Safety Training during the onboarding process and the on-job- training.
- Responsible for work competently, safely and professionally at all times – in the field, in camp and in transit.
- Participate in daily safety meetings, and all Emergency Response Plans (ERP).
- Attend and contribute in daily crew safety meetings, after shift debriefs, as well as all camp safety meetings and knowing and understanding Emergency Response Plans (ERP).
- Required to wear and maintain all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe worksite.
Communication:
Assist the Driller with daily logging, nightly data reporting and establishing satellite and internet communication with GroundTruth Headquarters.
Quality and Production Standards:
- Assist the Driller and Sampler with executing the work plan.
- Responsible for performing work at the highest possible standard every day; consistently following procedures as laid out in SOP.
Working Conditions
The physical environment requires employees to work outside in all weather conditions (heat/cold, wet/humid/dry) and in remote or isolated camp conditions.
Work days are 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week for the duration of the job unless otherwise stated. Travel to a job location can be a variety of methods such as helicopter, truck, boat, snowmobile, ATV, and walking.
Every camp will be provided with wall tents or tents of similar structure, a cook, shower, wireless internet and all other camp elements as outlined in the GT RAB and RC Drilling SOPs.
All employees will be working and living in close quarters with the rest of their crew for the duration of the job.
The level of responsibility will vary depending on the different roles of the GT RAB and RC Drill crew. Surrounding equipment will consist of the GT RAB or RC Drill, fuel, compressor and its corresponding parts, sampling equipment, supplies, cyclone and splitter.
Physical requirements:
Employees should have a good degree of physical strength and fitness (lifting up to 60 lbs) and stamina (working 12 hour shifts) in order to perform sampling and other activities that require considerable use of their arms, legs and back.
The nature of work involves repetitive lifting of up to 60lbs from ground to above waist level in 5-15 minute intervals.
Gear requirements:
Exploration Field Gear from GroundTruth Drilling is strictly for use in company fieldwork and will be assigned at the beginning of the season and required to be returned at the end of the season.
All employees will be responsible for the maintenance and care of the Gear provided to perform work duties.
Employees will be required to supply appropriate location and seasonal gear including high visibility work clothes, base layers, work gloves, full rain gear (jacket and pants), CSA approved steel toe work boots with rigid ankle support, sleeping bag, Therma rest and Leatherman.
Position requirements
Remote field work / Camp jobs experience of at least 1 year
Experience working on or around a drill
Mechanical Skills oriented
Welding Skills
Experience working around Helicopter
Mandatory:
Valid First Aid certification.
Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing
Reference included in the Resume.
Canadian Citizen or valid Canadian Permanent Resident.
