How to hire an exploration manager

How to hire an exploration manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step exploration manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an exploration manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new exploration manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the exploration manager you need to hire. Certain exploration manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an exploration manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an exploration manager that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of exploration manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Exploration Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Exploration Manager		$11-48
   Project Supervisor	A project supervisor is someone employed in industries like engineering, construction, manufacturing, as well as design and marketing industries to coordinate all aspects of a project. Common duties include participating in project planning, acting as a communication liaison, coordinating labor needs, and training employees... Show more	$13-46
   Field Supervisor	Field supervisors are referred to as the generals for various industries such as engineering, construction, and energy. These supervisors oversee and manage field staff's performance... Show more	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Exploration Programs
   • Onshore
   • Joint Venture
   • Oversight
   • Geotechnical
   • Exploration Projects
   • HR
   • MM

   Responsibilities:

   • Coordinate construction of new crushing/conveying system and lead MSHA inspections.
   • Manage sites and personel on various coal bed methane exploration sites.
   • Direct and manage in-house geotechnical personnel and field personnel in prospect development, well drilling/design, stimulation and site HSE.
   • Optimize the BHA and drill pipe rentals to achieve the same results as the upgraded pumps within a minimal investment.
   • Provide oversight for entire oil and gas operations.
   • Used Geographix mapping and SMT 2D/3D seismic workstations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your exploration manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An exploration manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, exploration managers' average salary in utah is 65% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level exploration managers earn 76% less than senior-level exploration managers.
   • Certifications. An exploration manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an exploration manager's salary.

   Average exploration manager salary

   $49,995yearly

   $24.04 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level exploration manager salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

   Average exploration manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Alaska	$102,179	$49
   2	New York	$88,429	$43
   3	California	$71,690	$34
   4	District of Columbia	$68,399	$33
   5	Washington	$63,822	$31
   6	Texas	$52,722	$25
   7	Oregon	$48,251	$23
   8	Nevada	$40,312	$19
   9	Colorado	$40,079	$19
   10	Oklahoma	$39,193	$19
   11	Utah	$34,716	$17

   Average exploration manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Hess	$146,825	$70.59
   2	Chevron	$138,131	$66.41
   3	Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group	$64,903	$31.20
   4	Bellevue Jr/Sr High School	$64,170	$30.85
   5	Broken Hill Proprietary	$51,699	$24.86
   6	National Geographic	$50,673	$24.36
   7	Aimbridge Hospitality	$49,125	$23.62
   8	Maersk Line	$45,858	$22.05
   9	Nike	$32,185	$15.47

4. Writing an exploration manager job description

   An exploration manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an exploration manager job description:

   Exploration manager job description example

   General Responsibilities:
   The Local Exploration Manager (LEM) is responsible for the day to day scheduling, coordination, and operation of local site exploration crews for geotechnical and environmental exploration. The local exploration manager reports to the local department management but will work closely with the Regional Exploration Manager (REM) on all items pertaining to safety, training, quality, professionalism, production, maintenance, career development, and subcontracting related to site exploration services.
   
   Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

   • Maintain vigilance related to safety of the Exploration Team Members (ETMs) for local office; including routine monthly inspections on all PPE donned by ETMs
   • Maintain an electronic drilling schedule which is shared locally and cooperate with the geotechnical department team and with the REM on schedule adjustments, as needed.
   • Execution of the Exploration Maintenance Program on a daily basis.
   • Hire ETMs in collaboration with the department manager and the REM and other hiring staff, as necessary
   • Responsible for orientation, on-boarding, and continued training development of ETMs
   • Routinely communicate with REM on staff and equipment needs and coordinate with local department management; attend routine LEM calls which are hosted by the REM within each Division on a weekly basis.
   • Assist on investigating safety incidents and near-misses
   • Review, prepare, and/or deliver Exploration Package to the ETMs
   • Review sites for access and layout exploration locations
   • Perform utility locates for exploration projects
   • Coordinate traffic control when required on exploration projects
   • Ordering of exploration material needed for routine drilling tasks; included, but not limited to, bentonite, sands, well materials, grout additives, boring flags, paint, stakes, etc.
   • Maintain an inventory of tools (auger, rods, subs, etc.) for the local office and report to the Regional Exploration Manager and local department management.
   • Maintain a vigilant preventative maintenance program for drill equipment and exploration fleet vehicles.
   • Host monthly safety meetings with local ETMs; review near-miss topics & developmental initiatives/training
   • Perform routine site Safety Check-Ins with ETMs
   • Review Geotab/ETM driving habits
   • Manage larger Site Characterization projects, as requested
   • Coordinate PTO for ETMs
   • Maintain required annual certifications (i.e. OSHA, CPR/First Aid, State Drilling License, etc.) and upload to Exploration Page for ETMs
   • Perform ETM responsibilities in the field in the event an ETM is unavailable
   • Coordinate/schedule and keep record of the following Federal Motor Carrier regulations and other required trainings and licenses:
   • Annual DOT inspections (upload to Exploration Page)
   • Annual DOT physicals (provide date of physical to REMs)
   • Following up on driver roadside inspection violations

   Requirements:

   • Bachelor's degree in technical discipline practiced by the Firm including Engineering or Geology and 2 to 5 years' site exploration experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years' related experience.
   • Experience as a drill operator and/or drilling manager may be substituted for education.
   • Proficient knowledge of multiple drilling methods including mud rotary, auger and coring techniques.
   • Valid driver's license with acceptable violation history.

   Preferred:

   • 3-5 years supervision experience

   
   
   About Terracon
   
   Terracon is a 100 percent employee-owned consulting engineering firm providing quality services to clients. Since 1965, Terracon has evolved into a successful multi-discipline firm specializing in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. Terracon currently has more than 5,000 employees in more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon's growth is due to valued employees exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace.
   
   Terracon's vision of "Together, we are best at people" is demonstrated through our excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, role and job status, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, and various bonus programs.
   
   EEO Statement
   
   Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.
   
   Terracon's COVID-19 Safety Response
   
   Committed to Our Employee Safety!
   
   Terracon is passionate about your safety before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. As Terracon continues to move forward and grow through this time, we are continuing to take every precaution to ensure the safety of our employee-owners. If you are as committed to your success as we are committed to your safety, then Terracon is the company for you!
   
   Our goal has not changed. For Terracon, our guiding principle has been and will continue to be the safety of our employee-owners. It's that simple. We want our employees to be able to work safely in every situation and go home safely each night. As we continue our vision of being "Best at People," here are some of the things Terracon is doing to safeguard every employee-owner:
   

   • On-going communication with ALL employee-owners on a dedicated COVID Response page, and a portal for their families to have access to resources as well
   • Requiring specific COVID-19 Pre-Task Safety Planning Protocols for all tasks and projects
   • Empowering employees to speak up and say "no" to working in unsafe conditions
   • Providing an additional 40 hours of sick leave to anyone impacted by COVID-19, including those impacted by daycare and school closures
   • Ensuring proper PPE and sanitation on all project sites by providing field employee-owners with mobile hand washing stations and supplies, masks, and sanitizing kits
   • Utilizing technology for more remote work opportunities and innovation using everything from video conferencing to drones
   • Following all CDC guidelines including social distancing on job sites, in offices, and in our labs

   
   If your passion lies in working with a company that truly cares for your safety, and if you're interested in belonging to a 100% employee-owned organization that will help you grow and quickly progress in your career, consider Terracon and apply today!

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right exploration manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your exploration manager job on Zippia to find and attract quality exploration manager candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit exploration managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new exploration manager

   Once you've selected the best exploration manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new exploration manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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