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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00108716 |
Description Activated On: 5/5/2026 8:09:12 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Employee is responsible for the implementation of the monitoring and compliance program for the Bureaus of District Mining Operations and Mining Programs. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. An inspector is responsible for implementing Commonwealth laws, regulations, and policies and procedures associated with inspecting mining operations in an assigned geographical area of the Commonwealth. Work involves identifying potential and existing environmental and safety problems as well as violations of mining laws, regulations, and permit conditions. Work involves communicating mining issues to mine personnel, mine officials, individual citizens, citizen groups, government agencies, elected officials, consulting engineers, and attorneys. An integral part of the work involves establishing and maintaining working relationships in order to promote voluntary compliance with mining laws, regulations, and safety regulations. Work involves providing compliance assistance on a variety of safety and environmental issues. Work may involve on-the-job training with other inspectors. Work involves enforcement of Pa. Clean Streams Law, Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act, Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act, Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act, and all applicable Title 25 Chapters. The enforcement duties include the discretionary authority to cease mining operations for serious safety and environmental violations. In addition, enforcement duties include issuing compliance orders, and notices of violation. Work involves the investigation of mining accidents, complaints, and new mining permit applications. Work involves an element of physical danger, such as working alone in remote areas, working in open pits, working above and below highwalls, working around heavy equipment, working near explosives and explosive materials, etc. The work is performed independently in accordance with the laws, regulations, and Departmental policies. Surface Mine Conservation Inspectors are supervised by Surface Mine Conservation Inspector Supervisors. General supervision is received through written and oral instructions, review of written reports, and consultations. Examples of Work: Conducts investigations of public complaints concerning, but not limited to, the Department’s programs of blasting, degradation or diminution of private and public water supplies, environmental degradation, and public health and safety in accordance with the Department’s Technical Guidance Document. Conducts complete inspections at coal and noncoal surface mines, the surface effects of underground coal mines, coal refuse disposal areas, coal preparation, coal handling facilities, and Government Financed Construction Contracts (GFCCs) in accordance with the Department’s Technical Guidance Document. Conducts partial inspections at coal and noncoal surface mines, the surface effects of underground coal mines, coal refuse disposal areas, coal preparation and coal handling facilities in accordance with the Department’s Technical Guidance Document. Conducts follow-up inspections at coal and noncoal surface mines, the surface effects of underground coal mines, coal refuse disposal areas, coal preparation, and coal handling facilities in accordance with the Department’s Technical Guidance Document. Reviews safety procedures at coal and noncoal surface mines, the surface effects of underground coal mines, coal refuse disposal areas, coal preparation, and coal handling facilities in accordance with the Department’s Technical Guidance Document and enforces Chapter 209a Safety Regulations. Conducts bond liability calculations and review which include GPS surveys, pit measurements, and completes complex calculations of various geometric shapes to ensure that mine sites meet bonding requirements. Conducts inspections of NPDES permits associated with coal and noncoal mine sites. Participates in OSM and federal agency oversight and special study inspections. Provides information to answer OSM Ten-day notices. Participates in new surface mining permit pre-issuance conferences. Provides information and facts concerning site conditions to be used in the Bureau’s treatment trust agreements and monitors site conditions. Conducts investigations to provide information and facts concerning the implementation of the Bureau’s primacy bond forfeiture program to include coal and noncoal bond forfeitures and Act 181 reclamation projects and inspects reclamation projects. Conducts inspections of primacy bond forfeiture and ABS treatment construction contracts which involve comprehension of detailed construction drawings and specifications, review of construction procedures, and requests for payment. Assists in the collection of data for stream, watershed or groundwater surveys by collecting and identifying samples, sampling points, and recording data. Collects water samples from surface and groundwater sources relating to mining activities in accordance with the Department’s Technical Guidance Document. Reviews sediment basin and haul road certifications and annual certifications submitted by PLS and/or PE on behalf of permittees. Review aboveground storage tank inventories and PPC Plans for coal mine sites. Conducts non-routine hours inspections of active mine sites and those sites with water treatment as directed. Conducts AVS inspections when required. Conducts auger highwall safety inspections. Conducts inspections of coal and industrial minerals exploration sites. Conducts joint inter-bureau inspections of coal and noncoal inspectable units which are inspected by other DEP Bureaus as directed. Makes recommendations for Stage I, II, and III bond release on applications from operators as a result of the information gathered and evaluated during inspections of the requested area in accordance with the Department’s Technical Guidance Document. Determines violations of environmental and safety laws, rules, and regulations based on data compiled through inspections, investigations, laboratory analyses reports, and observations; initiates enforcement proceedings and procedures in accordance with the Department’s Technical Guidance Document and applicable statutes and regulations. Conducts on-site meetings with operators and/or the public concerning bond release applications and objections. Escorts citizens on inspections of mining sites in response to complaints and citizens’ requests for site visitations in accordance with the Department’s Program Guidance Manual. Provides information and facts concerning site conditions at public meetings, informal conferences, and fact-finding hearings held concerning the Department’s actions on proposed actions. Investigates all reportable and serious non-reportable mining accidents by interviewing witnesses, inspecting equipment, reviewing accident scenes, interviewing medical personnel, making determinations as to cause, avoidability, and prevention measures and recommending penalties to be imposed; preparing a report of findings and recommendations. Conducts field evaluations of applications for all mining activity permits. Makes written recommendations to permit section concerning permit issuance, denial, and/or special operating conditions. Prepares and makes presentations to federal, state, and county officials and public groups and organizations regarding the Bureau’s programs, rules and regulations, Commonwealth laws related to mining, and explains action taken by the Department when requested or as required. Assists the supervisor by providing training to Bureau employees concerning site locations, policies and procedures, laws, and rules and regulations regarding Bureau programs. Provides advice to Management of the effectiveness of the training program. Prepares and/or completes reports concerning Bureau activities, program goals and achievements as assigned or requested by supervisor. Conducts special studies and prepares a report indicating findings and recommendations in response to supervisor’s requests. Maintains logs documenting daily water samples and inspection frequencies. Files documents in case files: inspection forms; investigation reports, letters, correspondence, memorandums, and other material. Prepares administrative reports including, but not limited to, CATS, travel vouchers, and automotive. Enters data into eFACTS and SIS. Provides testimony at legal proceedings as required. Prepares letters, memoranda, correspondence, and reports to exchange information with operators, mining applicants, the public, special interest groups, public officials, co-workers, and superiors. Responsible for operating and maintaining an assigned state vehicle. Recommends approval or denial of permit revisions. Reviews and provides comments on new bonding increments. Conducts mid-term review and completes the necessary forms. Recommends approval or denial of auger safety permits. Evaluates mine sites for national and state reclamation awards. Reviews and comments on proposed or revised TGD documents. Makes recommendations and completes bond forfeiture reports and site profiles. Responsible for assigned office and field equipment. Promotes the Department's mission. Inputs appropriate data in a prescribed format to meet data quality standards set forth by guidance, training, and policy across all of DEP’s electronic data systems; to include ensuring accuracy and completeness of entries, and where available, the use of system specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Assignments are designed to develop the employee’s technical proficiency. Work assignments increase in scope and complexity as the employee gains technical proficiency in the work. Once the employee demonstrates the ability to perform the work, specific assignments are given and the employee performs the work under the technical guidance of the supervisor. Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion for personal development, completeness, technical accuracy, and quality. Mine Inspectors monitor mine sites for compliance with laws and regulations, investigate complaints, and prepare reports. Judgments as to an activity’s compliance status are made independently. Decisions related to subsequent Departmental actions, in most cases, are made in consultation with the supervisor and/or Compliance Manager. This process promotes good communication through the compliance section chain of command. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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