Derrick Hand

The Derrickhand is a core member of the rig crew, operating primarily up in the derrick (the "monkeyboard") during tripping operations and managing drilling fluid (mud) systems while drilling ahead. This role serves as the second-in-command on the operational crew floor under the Driller, acting as a technical specialist in fluid maintenance and a key safety mentor for floorhands and leasehands.

What you will be doing as Derrick Hand

· Work elevated on the monkeyboard (typically 80 to 90 feet above the rig floor) wearing fall-protection equipment.

· Latch, unlatch, guide, rack, and stabilize stands of drill pipe, drill collars, and casing into the fingerboards during tripping in and tripping out of the hole.

· Inspect, clean, and maintain all elevated equipment, including crown sheaves, monkeyboard latches, fingers, derrick ladders, safety harnesses, and counterweight lines.

· mud programs (measuring density/weight, viscosity, gel strength, fluid loss, andpH).

· Safely mix dry and liquid chemicals, bulk additives, and weighting agents into the mud hopper.

· Inspect, operate, and maintain all solids control equipment: shale shakers, degassers, desanders, desilters, centrifuges, and mud agitators.

· Monitor pit volumes, tank levels, suction pits, and trip tanks to detect early signs of kicks, fluid loss, or influxes.

· Maintain mud pumps (liners, pistons, valves, seats, pulsation dampeners, and fluid ends).

· Assist the Driller with maintenance schedules across the rig site.

· Step in on the rig floor to operate iron roughnecks, slips, tongs, and spinning wrenched during casing runs or when short-handed.

· Support rig-up, rig-out, tear-down, and rig move operations between well locations.

· Perform preventive maintenance, greasing, and troubleshooting of pump room machinery.

· Follow AKITA’s health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management systems, job safety analyses (JSAs),



and stop-work authority policies.

· Supervise, guide, and mentor Floorhands, Motorhands, and Leasehands on equipment maintenance, chemical handling, and line-of-fire safety.

· Participate actively in pre-job safety meetings, hazard assessments, blowout preventer (BOP) drills, and high-angle emergency rescue drills.

What you should have as a Derrick Hand:

· Experience: Minimum 1 to 2+ years of direct land rig experience, typically having progressed through Floorhand and/or Motorhand roles.

· Physical Comfort: Ability to work comfortably at extreme heights (high-angle monkeyboard) and in adverse weather conditions (sub-zero winter operations or extreme heat).

· Technical Knowledge: Robust working knowledge of circulation systems, pump hydraulics, solids control systems, and basic mud chemistry.

· Safety & Regulatory Certifications (Standard Canadian / US Land Rig requirements):

· Valid Driver’s License (Clean abstract preferred)

· Fall Protection / Working at Heights certification

· Confined Space Entry & Rescue

· Standard First Aid & CPR

· H2S Alive (Energy Safety Canada) or equivalent OSHA H2S

· Rig Rescue / Monkeyboard Rescue certification

· Well Control certification (IWCF / IADC Level 1 or 2) is considered a strong asset.

· Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

· Capable of continuous heavy physical labor, including heavy lifting (up to 50–75 lbs / 23–34 kg), climbing vertical derrick ladders, bending, and pulling.

· Must pass a comprehensive pre-employment physical assessment and drug & alcohol screening.

· Must adapt to remote camp accommodations or hotel rotations with 12-hour continuous shifts in all weather conditions.

Where you will be working:

· Calgary, AB

Shift you will be working:

· Rotational shifts (e.g., 14/14, 20/10, or 21/21; 12-hour shifts, day or night)

What you will receive in return

· $46-$51/hr based on experience

Pay: $46.00-$51.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

📌 Derrick hand/Driller (Calgary)
🏢 Vertical Staffing Resources
📍 Calgary