Senior Geologist - Drilling Coordination and Coreshack Management

The core shack manager and drilling coordinator is a hybrid role that oversees safe, compliant, and efficient core shack and drilling operations, coordinating logistics, supervising helicopter supported drilling activities, and supporting daily core logging and reporting for the exploration program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Safety and General Supervision

• Collaborate with site safety coordinator, ensure that proper & preemptive safety practices are rigorously implemented and revised where required for the core shack, pad building sites and drilling activities.
• Proactively identify hazards and mitigate risks.
• Conduct regular safety audits and address deficiencies and violations with site leadership and contractor supervisors.
• Evaluate and improve safe work practices for core logging, core handling, pad construction, and drilling activities.
• Lead weekly safety meetings for drillers, pad builders, and core shack personnel.
• Coordinate drilling activities with the other exploration and site activities programs in the UKMP to support safe and efficient field activities.
• Ensure drilling operations comply with all permits and regulatory requirements.

Core Shack

• Supervise daily core shack operations including: scheduling, training and mentoring, core handling procedures, logging, geotechnical work, core cutting, sample preparation and sample shipment, data entry and QA/QC tracking.
• Assist with employee performance management, time tracking and approvals.
• Build and maintain a cohesive, productive team that collaborates effectively with drilling contractors.
• Monitor progress for exploration holes and assure correct logging procedure are followed and that a daily quick log is prepared. Assist in determining drill hole terminations.
• Lead daily core shack and toolbox meetings.
• Coordinate core shack operations with drilling contractors and camp operations.

Exploration and Drilling Programs

• Support high level planning, logistics, execution, and reporting of execution and drilling programs including targeting and opportunity identification.
• Maintain clear communication among the exploration team, helicopter coordinators and aviation services provider, drilling and pad builders crews, equipment operators site leadership.
• Support supervision of the drill programs and prepare daily drilling logistics plans.
• Locate, line out, and verify drill pad locations; oversee pad construction and orientation, including mentoring junior geologists in supervising these tasks.
• Ensure that drill pads are built to the correct specifications for drilling at that site and that the drill pad is oriented in the correct direction for the proposed drill holes.
• Direct pad builders and equipment operators to maintain efficient pad sequencing.
• Recommend termination and/or adjustment of drill target depth based on geologic observations.
• Provide daily direction to driller foremen and complete drill site and reclamation inspections.
• Enter collar and downhole survey data into the drill database
• Identify, address and report environmental issues promptly.

Site Operations

• Support planning, logistics, and execution of site operation activities as required.
• Coordinate DC-6 and C-130 manifests with contractors and aviation providers.
• Coordinate and provide hazardous materials documentation for flights as required.
• Assist with backhaul manifests as needed.
• Site Survey as built and map production.

Reports and Communication

• Communicate and coordinate with all other departments to share resources during the field season to ensure success of the overall project.
• Prepare daily and weekly and any other periodic field report during the field season as required by supervisors.
• Attend daily evening supervisors' briefing.
• Photo document all drill pads and reclaimed drill pads, with documentation by drill pad number and drill hole
• Other duties as assigned to further the exploration goals for the UKMP

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and training

• Bachelor of Science in Geology, Geophysics, or related Engineering degree, emphasis on ore deposits or mineral exploration preferred.
• 4 years of core shack management experience.
• Previous drill pad sighting and construction experience.
• Demonstrated drill rig management experience on remote, helicopter-supported exploration projects.
• Hazmat certification or ability to obtain.

Experience

• More than 8 years' experience in geology or on exploration projects, at least 4 years in a position of applicable responsibility

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership skills and experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products.
• Good oral, writing, mathematical and scientific skills
• Ability to use GPS to load, record, and save drill pad locations.
• Ability to use Brunton compass or other device to align drill pads to planned azimuth and verify the final alignment of drill rig on pad
• Ability to recognize different rock types that may determine if a hole should be terminated and recognize difference between rock structures and driller-induced breaks, core loss, etc.
• Knowledge of and ability to carry out safe, remote operational procedures
• Ability to work tactfully and respectfully with camp staff, contractors and visitors
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgement and manage time in an effective manner
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to change
• Ability to take initiative in case of an emergency
• Ability to follow and provide written and verbal instructions effectively and in a timely manner
• Ability to comfortably travel in and work around helicopters and small fixed wing aircraft.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively deal with several tasks simultaneously
• Physically able to repetitively lift and carry 35 pounds.
• Must be able to work and hike in alpine arctic terrain, adverse weather, in a remote camp setting on a rotational basis

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities required. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.