03/30/2007 13610

MINING ENGINEERING SPECIALIST

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

An employee in this job performs a variety of journey-level mining engineering work assignments that require the interpretation and application of standard engineering techniques, procedures and guidelines, using judgment in making minor adaptations and modifications as needed. Work is assigned in a planning, design, construction, regulatory or conservation program area in the extractive minerals industry, such as mine reclamation or surface mine permitting; or in the underground miner safety program. Work is characterized by conventional types of mining engineering plans, investigations, studies, designs and permits, with relatively few complex features and for which there are precedents; or specific and limited portions of broader and more complex assignments. Work may require the employee to make technical recommendations on the agency’s approach to a particular mining permit application, case or project, but final technical decisions are made by a professional engineer and/or program manager. Work may also involve participating in the development of statewide policies, procedures, technical guidance documents and reports involving the mining engineering aspects of an environmental regulatory, conservation or miner safety program. Work is differentiated from higher levels based on the absence of complex mining engineering assignments that are performed routinely and independently. Employees may coordinate the work of drafters, technicians and other staff who assist on specific assignments. Work is assigned in the form of individual projects, permit applications, studies, cases and investigations on a geographic, functional or programmatic basis, but supervisors normally monitor assignments for unusual or difficult problems. Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion by a licensed professional engineer for technical adequacy and by a professional supervisor for completeness, overall quality and attainment of objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Performs professional mining engineering work in the review of applications for permits, plans or variances to determine if the proposed action conforms to engineering standards and federal and state laws and regulations.

Investigates complaints directed toward active or abandoned mining facilities by conducting site visits, interviewing individuals, performing engineering analyses and preparing technical reports outlining findings and recommendations.

Conducts field inspections to determine the compliance status or operational efficiency of a permitted facility from a mining engineering standpoint, prepares inspection reports to summarize observations, and recommends appropriate action or adjustments.

Conducts mining facility and project inspections during construction and after completion to determine adherence to engineering design plans and specifications, to detect deficiencies in materials, work methods or procedures, and to resolve problems resulting from unusual site conditions.

Develops drawings and specifications for complete mine restoration projects where the controlling parameters have been established, or for assigned components of such projects, and submits draft and final work products to a responsible charge engineer for review and approval.

Participates in the development of the engineering components of a statewide mining regulatory program or miner safety program, including regulations, policies, standards, procedures, methods and technical guidance and participates in program evaluations.

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

Provides programmatic information and requirements to coworkers, facility owners or operators, special interest groups and individual citizens.

Provides material testimony at legal proceedings.

Prepares or reviews technical mining engineering reports of findings, analyses and recommendations for corrective actions.

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

Investigates abandoned mine sites or problem areas in order to determine the extent of environmental degradation, threat to public safety and eligibility for funding and prepares preliminary reclamation schemes.

Evaluates permit applications for the surface or underground mining of coal and industrial minerals for compliance with accepted engineering practices and applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Provides assistance to inspection staff on slope stability, erosion and sediment controls and stream encroachment or relocation.

Conducts special studies to determine the effectiveness of facility designs in controlling pollution discharges or to determine the causes of failures.

Conducts evaluations and sets permit conditions for coal refuse facilities and preparation plant sites.

Evaluates natural and synthetic liner systems for coal refuse disposal areas, coal stockpile areas or water treatment plant facilities.

Investigates and evaluates the surface effects of subsidence resulting from active or abandoned underground mining by evaluating the condition of support pillars, caved areas and the mine roof and floor, overseeing exploratory drilling and testing, and determining the cause of the subsidence.

Reviews deep mine design projects to calculate loads applied to and stresses induced in mine roof support systems and coal pillars to ensure adequate factors of safety are maintained.

Evaluates continuous mining and longwall section ventilation methods.

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 basic principles of chemistry and physics.

Knowledge of linear algebra, analytical geometry and plane trigonometry.

Knowledge of differential and integral calculus.

Knowledge of fluid mechanics and hydraulics.

Knowledge of statics and dynamics.

Knowledge of soil mechanics and foundations.

Knowledge of structural analysis and design.

Knowledge of the engineering principles of construction cost estimating and construction inspection.

Knowledge of the characteristics and properties of natural and manufactured materials used in construction.

Knowledge of plane and engineering surveying.

Knowledge of engineering economics.

Knowledge of materials science.

Knowledge of physical geology, stratigraphy, rock mechanics, and petrology.

Knowledge of underground mine electrical systems.

Knowledge of geographic information systems.

Knowledge of computer modeling techniques used in engineering analyses.

Ability to read and interpret inspection and testing reports, engineering drawings and specifications, and topographic and other maps.

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 establish and maintain effective working relationships.

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

                                                                                                                                                              or

One year of professional experience in mining engineering, and a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering;

                                                                                                                                                             or

Two 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

One year of professional experience in mining engineering, 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.

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