03/30/2007 13620

MINING ENGINEER

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional mining engineering work in an environmental regulatory, miner safety or mine reclamation program.

An employee in this job performs advanced professional mining engineering work requiring judgment in the independent evaluation, selection and substantial adaptation and modification of standard techniques, procedures and criteria. Work assignments typically include a variety of complex features, such as the potential for significant environmental degradation, the application and interpretation of complex regulatory requirements, complexity of the technology or industrial processes used, conflicting design requirements, difficult external coordination requirements, critical miner health and safety issues, significant political or public interest, or the high probability of legal action taken against or by the agency. Work involves independently reviewing and evaluating plans and permit applications for complex mining proposals, which may include communicating directly with licensed professional engineers outside the agency to identify and resolve engineering issues; developing, designing or reviewing the design of projects to mitigate environmental hazards associated with the mining industry, such as acid mine drainage and mine area restoration; serving as a construction engineer for complicated mine reclamation projects; investigating subsidence events or mining accidents; or developing statewide policies, procedures, technical guidance documents and reports involving the engineering aspects of a mining regulatory or safety program. Work may involve coordinating engineering reviews with staff in other programs, requiring a working knowledge of various program requirements and related engineering disciplines. Employees independently perform most assignments with little or no supervisory intervention until final agency action needs to be taken. Employees may be required to take professional responsibility for their own work products and may be directed to assume responsible charge for unlicensed employees within the work unit. Work assignments include individual projects, permit applications, studies, cases and investigations on a geographic, functional or programmatic basis, and the employee independently selects appropriate approaches and methodologies within program guidelines and professional standards. Work is reviewed upon completion by a licensed professional engineer for technical adequacy and/or by a professional supervisor for completeness, overall quality and attainment of objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Performs advanced professional engineering work in the analysis and evaluation of complex permit applications, work plans and reports involving the surface or underground mining of coal and industrial minerals.

Reviews engineering reports to determine the adequacy of the scope and methods of investigation, the appropriateness of analytical procedures, the validity of data, the soundness of conclusions and the technical and economic feasibility of recommendations in order to ensure the protection of the environment and of public health and safety.

Develops drawings and specifications for mine restoration projects, such as mine seals, mine drainage treatment, and mine subsidence stabilization.

Conducts investigations into abandoned mine land problems, determines eligibility for funding and develops reclamation schemes.

Develops the engineering components of a statewide mining regulatory or miner safety program, including regulations, policies, standards, procedures, methods and technical guidance and coordinates and evaluates program implementation.

Leads or serves on statewide work groups to study mining engineering issues for a specific program area or for issues that cross program lines.

Participates in the development of legislation.

Analyzes and solves engineering problems using analytical and numerical computer modeling techniques, evaluates the suitability and reliability of various models for site-specific situations, and modifies existing computer models to meet the unique needs of the assigned program.

Conducts field inspections to determine the compliance status of a permitted facility from a mining engineering standpoint and recommends appropriate enforcement action.

Evaluates stability analyses and impoundment designs based on risk to miners and the public.

Evaluates or designs treatment systems to ensure feasibility and effectiveness.

Evaluates proposals for large, complex and environmentally sensitive coal refuse disposal facilities for underground mining operations by conducting alternative sites analyses and approving the final site location, conducting hydraulic and structural analyses and ensuring adequate treatment system design.

Investigates public health and safety incidents potentially related to abandoned mines by conducting detailed field examinations, reviewing all available mining information, evaluating site data, determining if the incident is mine related and preparing reports of findings.

Designs a complete abandoned mine reclamation project, such as underground mine fire abatement, passive treatment or mine opening sealing.

Completes detailed engineering evaluations of constructed passive and active treatment systems for performance evaluation and recommended system modifications or improvements.

Conducts engineering safety analyses and evaluations of critical systems and design elements in underground mining operations, such as plans for mining at lower elevations than impounded water, plans for cutting into or tapping water in abandoned areas, and roof control systems for multi-seam mining and prepares recommendations for approval.

Reviews and evaluates underground mining electrical systems and electrical equipment, such as complex electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical systems of electrical and diesel-powered mining equipment, to ensure compliance with state law and national electrical codes and standards.

Prepares substrata evaluations prior to construction or remodeling of public school buildings, describes the method and extent of past mining beneath the site, and determines potential for mine subsidence.

Performs cost analyses and feasibility studies for proposed reclamation projects in lieu of civil penalties.

Participates in the training of technicians, specialists and lower level engineers.

Participates in public meetings to explain program requirements and engineering principles to stakeholders and the public.

Provides expert testimony at hearings and legal proceedings.

Travels to various field sites.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the federal and Commonwealth laws and regulations governing mining and miner safety.

Knowledge of mining engineering principles and practices.

Knowledge of the engineering principles used in the development of drawings and specifications for components of mining engineering projects.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of mining exploration methods and techniques.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of mine planning and operations, including mining layouts, ground control design, mine surveying, and mine equipment, facilities and systems design.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of mineral processing, including laboratory testing and process flowsheets.

Knowledge of the environmental impact and reclamation of mines, including surface and groundwater and contaminant transport, environmental chemistry and geochemistry, waste characterization and containment, site water balance, decommissioning and demolition, earthwork techniques and equipment, and post-mining land configuration and erosion control systems.

Knowledge of physical geology, stratigraphy, rock mechanics and petrology as they pertain to identifying the physical characteristics of active and abandoned mines and quarries.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of electrical engineering as applied to underground mining operations.

Knowledge of physical, chemical and biological treatment processes.

Knowledge of treatment plant design, operation and performance.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in reviewing applications for surface and underground mining permits.

Knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry and physics.

Knowledge of linear algebra, analytical geometry and plane trigonometry.

Knowledge of differential and integral calculus.

Knowledge of engineering economics.

Knowledge of plane and engineering surveying.

Knowledge of standard reference sources regarding the costs, principal applications and characteristics of materials and equipment used in mine area restoration projects.

Knowledge of underground mine electrical systems.

Knowledge of geographic information systems.

Ability to read and interpret drawings and specifications, and topographic, watershed, mine and other maps used in the design or construction of mining projects or to determine the extent, nature and characteristics of mine areas.

Ability to assemble specifications for mining engineering projects.

Ability to use computer software applications to perform engineering modeling and analyses.

Ability to read and interpret inspection and testing reports to ensure conformance with project standards.

Ability to prepare technical reports of field investigations.

Ability to operate a Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) workstation during the preparation of drawings for mining engineering projects.

Ability to perform accurate computations and calculations involving mining engineering.

Ability to conduct technical investigations applying engineering principles and procedures.

Ability to analyze and present technical data in clear, concise engineering reports.

Ability to read and interpret federal, state and local codes, regulations and standards applicable to the design, construction or evaluation of engineering projects.

Ability to effectively communicate orally.

Ability to effectively communicate in writing.

Ability to read and interpret Commonwealth and Departmental administrative rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years as a Mining Engineering Specialist;

                                                                                                                                                           or

Three years of professional experience in mining engineering, and a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering;

                                                                                                                                                          or

Four years of professional experience in mining engineering, and possession of a valid Engineer-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists;

                                                                                                                                                         or

Three years of professional mining engineering experience, and possession of a valid Professional Engineer license issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.

Graduate study in mining engineering may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Certain positions in this job will require possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.

Certain positions in this job will require possession of a valid Professional Engineer license issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.