04/01/1981 75910

MINING SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the field of mining.

An employee in this class performs a variety of assignments, within an assigned geographical area of the Commonwealth, in the review and insurance of mining permits designed to regulate mining in the Commonwealth. Work involves reviewing requests for coal mining permits, coal refuse permits, non-coal mining permits, non-coal mining drainage permits, permit cancellations, permit transfers, permit renewals, and compliance monitoring. Work also involves bonding requirements and reviewing plans for reclamation of the mining area. Work includes investigating complaints involving on-lot water systems affected by mining operations; conducting surveys of watersheds, ground and surface water, and individual water supplies to determine effect of mining on water supply; and initiating enforcement and compliance activities against violators. Work also involves providing advice to mine operators on methods to solve operational problems; providing advice to engineers and architects on permit appeals; and providing information to the public, mine operators, and other interested groups on Departmental functions, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Work involves considerable contact with Surface Mine Conservation Inspector, mine operators, engineers, and the public to explain Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures involving the mining program. Work is assigned in the form of specific permits to be reviewed or inspections to be made, and the employee exercises considerable freedom in completing the work. Work is reviewed upon completion by a professional superior for completeness, technical accuracy, uniformity of action taken, and quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews requests for mining permits for completeness, method of mining, safety measures, proposal for reclamation of land after mining activities have ceased, and operator's prior record.

Reviews requests for mine drainage permits to determine method of mining how water will be impounded and treated before being released into the waters of the Commonwealth, and possible effects on the waters of the Commonwealth.

Determines if permit requests meet established rules and regulations and makes recommendations on approval or denial of permit and special conditions needed.

Assists in the preparation of permits for issuance, including standard operating conditions and special operating conditions.

Calculations and determines bonding requirements following established procedures; notifies operator of bonding requirements.

Reviews and makes recommendations for approval or disapproval on requests for cancellations of mining permits.

Reviews and makes recommendations for approval or disapproval on requests for renewals of mining permits.

Reviews and makes recommendations for approval or disapproval on requests for transfer of mining permits.

Reviews and makes recommendations for approval or denial of reclamation plans for mining operations and coal refuse disposal areas.

Assists in preparing Departmental Orders indicating violations discovered, corrective action required, control measures or devices to be installed, and time frames for their accomplishment.

Assists in preparing Departmental Orders/Agreements indicating violations discovered, corrective action required, control measures or devices to be installed, time frames for their accomplishment, and recommended penalties.

Researches files and operator case history to document requests for the suspension or revocation of mining permits.

Establishes time limitation for the correction permit violations.

Attends administrative hearings to provide background data on case, answer questions, explain violations, explain what must be done to bring operation into compliance with permit conditions, and establish time limitation for its accomplishment.

Recommends imposition of fines to District Magistrates on mining cases.

Investigates and resolves complaints involving individual water systems and supplies.

Investigates and resolves complaints involving soil erosion and sedimentation caused by mining operations.

Investigates and resolves complaints involving mine drainage caused by mining operations.

Conducts surveys of individual water supplies to determine effects of mining operations on individual water supplies.

Conducts surveys to determine effect of mining operations on surface and ground water quality.

Makes periodic inspections of mining operations and affected area for compliance with law, rules, and regulations, and required evaluated standards and permit conditions.

Conducts surveys of selected watersheds where mining operations may be or have been prohibited to determine water quality.

Provides advice to co-workers and Surface Mine Conservation Inspectors on unusual mining problems.

Provides advice to mine operators on methods and techniques to solve mining operational problems.

Represents the Bureau in dealings with Federal or interstate agencies; serves as the mining program's liaison in dealings with other agencies.

Prepares responses to comments received from individuals, mine operators, or special interest groups involving permit activities published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Prepares and delivers formal presentations regarding mining program to special interest groups.

Informs public and surface mining operators of changes in Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Provides advice to homeowners with individual water supplies affected by mining operations on ways to solve water problems.

Prepares letters, reports, and correspondence to exchange information with mine operators, governmental officials, and the public.

Recommends changes to mining rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Assists in providing on-the-job training to Mining Specialist Trainees, including advising management of effectiveness of the training program and the progress of the trainees.

Participates on special committees as the mining program's representative to explain the program's concerns and to insure recommendations are acceptable to the program.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites.

Performs similar work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the Department of Environmental Resources' rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing mining operations.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in reviewing and approving coal mining permits.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in reviewing and approving non-coal mining permits.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in reviewing and approving non-coal mine drainage permits.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in reviewing coal refuse permits.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in the preparation and insurance of approved mining permits.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in the documentation of violations.

Knowledge of the techniques and formats utilized in the preparation of violation letters.

Knowledge of the techniques utilized in negotiating settlements of violations.

Knowledge of the techniques utilized in the negotiation of penalties.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in the inspection of mining operations.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in investigating the effects of mining operations on individual water supplies.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in investigating soil erosion and sedimentation problems caused by mining operations.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in investigating the effects of mine drainage caused by mining operations.

Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and test equipment utilized in conducting surveys of individual water supplies to determine effects of mining operations on individual water supplies.

Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and test equipment utilized in conducting surveys to determine the effects of mining operations on surface and ground water quality.

Knowledge of the procedures, techniques and test equipment utilized in conducting surveys on watersheds where mining operations have been prohibited to determine water quality.

Knowledge of the effects of mining operations on individual water supplies, ground and surface water quality, and watersheds.

Knowledge of the effects of mine drainage caused by mining operations.

Knowledge of soil erosion and sedimentation operations and their resolution relating to mining operations.

Knowledge of accepted practices for reclaiming areas where mining has been permitted.

Knowledge of the safety precautions required while conducting inspections, investigations, and surveys.

Knowledge of the Commonwealth's and Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing travel, lodging, expense vouchers, and reporting requirements.

Ability to apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures during the review and approval of mining permit requests.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations at the GED 5 level.

Ability to read and write English at the GED 5 level.

Ability to read and understand engineering reports, drawings, blueprints, and flow schematics.

Ability to meet with and secure the cooperation of mine operators, special interest groups, public, and governmental officials during the conduct of investigations, surveys, and permit review functions.

Ability to operate, calibrate, and perform routine preventative maintenance on test equipment.

Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to special interest groups on Departmental functions, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisor, operators, and the public.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Eyesight and color perception to permit use of test equipment.

Sufficient eye-hand coordination to permit use of test equipment.

Sufficient physical stamina to permit carrying test equipment over long distances, walking over rough terrain, and working under adverse weather conditions.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Successful completion of training program for the Mining Specialist Trainee;

                                                                                                                                                               or

Any combination of equivalent experience and training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license.