Coal Mine Inspector (EMNRD #5394)
Apply NowCompany: State of New Mexico
Location: Santa Fe, NM 87507
Description:
$35.15 - $56.24 Hourly
$73,112 - $119,979 Annually
This position is a Pay Band EF
Posting Details
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
The Coal Mine Reclamation Program (CMRP) was created in the early 1980s as part of New Mexico's
enactment of surface coal mine reclamation regulations under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977 (SMCRA). CMRP regulates coal mines on federal, state, and private lands within New Mexico,
with the exception of Indian lands. With a mandate to protect public health and safety, and the
environment in and around surface coal mining operations, CMRP permits, inspects, and enforces in
accordance with SMCRA regulations.
Why does the job exist?
This position functions as a technical and regulatory expert on the Coal Surface Mining Act Program staff.
The main purpose of this position is to act as Chief Inspector for the program. The Chief Inspector
conducts monthly inspections of producing coal mines and quarterly inspections of coal mines undergoing
active reclamation, evaluates coal mine compliance with permit conditions and regulatory requirements under
the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, and related federal and state rules and regulations,
prepares inspection reports, documents the status of coal mine reclamation efforts, evaluates potential
environmental impacts, determines operations compliance with approved reclamation plans and bond release
performance standards, and interfaces with various stakeholders on behalf of the coal program.
How does it get done?
This position inspects coal mines, reviews mine operation and reclamation plans and bond release
applications, reviews mine operations, environmental sampling results, initiate enforcement actions
if reclamation related deficiencies exist, act as CMRP lead on coal mine enforcement or reclamation
issues, measure and collect environmental data, analyze environmental data pertinent to coal
mines, schedules and conducts mine inspections, provides technical assistance, responds to
inquiries and complaints regarding coal mining activities, serves as an expert witness, acts as a
liaison between state and federal officials, oversees environmental or cultural resource investigation
programs and the preparation of reports, conducts specialized studies to resolve reclamation issues,
and consults with and advises mining Industry representatives and other stakeholders.
Who are the customers?
The Coal Inspector is critical to the program's mission; which is to protect the public interest by ensuring the
responsible utilization, conservation, reclamation, and safeguarding of land and resources affected by coal
mining. The Coal Inspector achieves that goal by ensuring regulatory compliance at the five permitted coal
mines under the program's jurisdiction.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:
* Experiance with environmental regulatory programs, such as environmental permitting
experience, and/or environmental compliance and enforcement experience.
* Experience overseeing the reclamation of land, including the reclamation of mined lands.
* Experience conducting field investigations, research or surveys to quantify or verify a claim
* Experience overseeing field soil and water sampling procedures
* Experience reviewing technical designs and construction cost estimation
* Experience working on a team with other disciplines, such as biologists, engineers,
hydrologists, etc.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Science, Hydrology, Geology, Environmental Science, Water Resources, Watershed Management, Physics, Natural Science, Physical Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Forestry/Forest Science, Conservation Science, Wildlife Science, Emergency Management, or Engineering and four (4) years of relevant experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Working Conditions
Work is performed mostly in an office setting with exposure to visual / Video Display Terminal (VDT)
and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Occasional travel is required for training,
meetings, field work with potential exposure to inclement weather, insects, machinery, and chemicals.
Work is performed up to 40% in the field, outdoors, in various weather conditions, on potentially
uneven and rugged terrain. Work will also be performed in an office setting with extensive computer
and telephone usage. Statewide travel required for field inspections, environmental sampling,
meetings and public hearings.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Erik Munroe (505) 670-9997. Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
$73,112 - $119,979 Annually
This position is a Pay Band EF
Posting Details
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
The Coal Mine Reclamation Program (CMRP) was created in the early 1980s as part of New Mexico's
enactment of surface coal mine reclamation regulations under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977 (SMCRA). CMRP regulates coal mines on federal, state, and private lands within New Mexico,
with the exception of Indian lands. With a mandate to protect public health and safety, and the
environment in and around surface coal mining operations, CMRP permits, inspects, and enforces in
accordance with SMCRA regulations.
Why does the job exist?
This position functions as a technical and regulatory expert on the Coal Surface Mining Act Program staff.
The main purpose of this position is to act as Chief Inspector for the program. The Chief Inspector
conducts monthly inspections of producing coal mines and quarterly inspections of coal mines undergoing
active reclamation, evaluates coal mine compliance with permit conditions and regulatory requirements under
the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, and related federal and state rules and regulations,
prepares inspection reports, documents the status of coal mine reclamation efforts, evaluates potential
environmental impacts, determines operations compliance with approved reclamation plans and bond release
performance standards, and interfaces with various stakeholders on behalf of the coal program.
How does it get done?
This position inspects coal mines, reviews mine operation and reclamation plans and bond release
applications, reviews mine operations, environmental sampling results, initiate enforcement actions
if reclamation related deficiencies exist, act as CMRP lead on coal mine enforcement or reclamation
issues, measure and collect environmental data, analyze environmental data pertinent to coal
mines, schedules and conducts mine inspections, provides technical assistance, responds to
inquiries and complaints regarding coal mining activities, serves as an expert witness, acts as a
liaison between state and federal officials, oversees environmental or cultural resource investigation
programs and the preparation of reports, conducts specialized studies to resolve reclamation issues,
and consults with and advises mining Industry representatives and other stakeholders.
Who are the customers?
The Coal Inspector is critical to the program's mission; which is to protect the public interest by ensuring the
responsible utilization, conservation, reclamation, and safeguarding of land and resources affected by coal
mining. The Coal Inspector achieves that goal by ensuring regulatory compliance at the five permitted coal
mines under the program's jurisdiction.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:
* Experiance with environmental regulatory programs, such as environmental permitting
experience, and/or environmental compliance and enforcement experience.
* Experience overseeing the reclamation of land, including the reclamation of mined lands.
* Experience conducting field investigations, research or surveys to quantify or verify a claim
* Experience overseeing field soil and water sampling procedures
* Experience reviewing technical designs and construction cost estimation
* Experience working on a team with other disciplines, such as biologists, engineers,
hydrologists, etc.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Science, Hydrology, Geology, Environmental Science, Water Resources, Watershed Management, Physics, Natural Science, Physical Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Forestry/Forest Science, Conservation Science, Wildlife Science, Emergency Management, or Engineering and four (4) years of relevant experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Working Conditions
Work is performed mostly in an office setting with exposure to visual / Video Display Terminal (VDT)
and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Occasional travel is required for training,
meetings, field work with potential exposure to inclement weather, insects, machinery, and chemicals.
Work is performed up to 40% in the field, outdoors, in various weather conditions, on potentially
uneven and rugged terrain. Work will also be performed in an office setting with extensive computer
and telephone usage. Statewide travel required for field inspections, environmental sampling,
meetings and public hearings.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Erik Munroe (505) 670-9997. Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.