What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Surveyor position at Capstone Mining?
WHAT WE OFFER
Your journey with Capstone Copper starts here. At Capstone, our people are the heart of our organization. We are focused on growth and are committed to unlocking the full potential of ourselves, our teams and our resources. We invest in our people to develop a skilled and engaged workforce, not only for today, but for the future. If you are looking for a purposeful, performance-driven and dynamic work environment, join us!
Pinto Valley is an open-pit copper mine located at the west end of the historic Globe-Miami mining district of central Arizona, approximately 80 miles east of Phoenix. Pinto Valley has been in operation since 1972 and has produced more than four billion pounds of copper. Acquired by Capstone from BHP in 2013, the mine is fully permitted through 2039 and a study is underway to potentially extend the mine life through 2050.
Our proximity to the Greater Phoenix metro area provides prospective employees with the option to live in communities such as Mesa, Apache Junction, Gilbert, Chandler, San Tan Valley, or Florence. Our location offers a unique work-life balance, blending the rewarding opportunities of the mining industry with easy access to the vibrant energy of Downtown Phoenix, making it an ideal choice for both individuals and their families.
Capstone employees are eligible for an extensive total rewards package, designed to support your physical, mental, financial, and emotional well-being. This package includes, but is not limited to:
- 401(k) Savings Plan – Eligible from day one, contribute up to 30% of your salary with a dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6%, fully vested immediately.
- Retirement Boost – The company contributes 8.5% of your salary, increasing to 14.2% after reaching the Social Security wage base, with 100% immediate vesting.
- Employee Share Purchase Plan – After three months, contribute 2% to 7% of your salary (max $5,000/year) to buy company shares, with a 50% company match, fully vested upon grant.
- Annual Short Term Incentive Bonus – Up to 20%
- 4-day, 10-hour work schedule
- Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits (effective on start date), including Telehealth options and additional supplemental insurances
- Disability and Life Insurance (effective on start date)
- Paid time-off, including vacation, holidays, sick leave, and parental leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Internal progression opportunities
- Tuition reimbursement
- Discounted insurance plans for pets, automobiles and homes
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Chief Surveyor leads all mine surveying activities supporting safe, compliant, and efficient open-pit operations at Pinto Valley. The role provides critical survey control, data analysis, and documentation to support mine planning, production, and earthworks, while ensuring design compliance and data integrity. The Chief Surveyor manages the survey team, oversees survey-related projects, and partners closely with Engineering and Operations to drive accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement across pit, dump, road, and stockpile development.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Safety & Compliance: Ensure all surveying activities comply with Pinto Valley Mine policies, MSHA regulations, and applicable safety standards. Verify employees and contractors are properly trained and certified to perform assigned work.
- Survey Operations & Control: Lead and execute mine and dump surveying activities to provide accurate control, layout, and documentation supporting mining operations, roadways, benches, stockpiles, and earthmoving activities.
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Analyze survey data and prepare accurate daily, monthly, and annual survey reports, including material movement, volumetric calculations, and mine progress updates.
- Mine Plan Compliance: Monitor and report pit, dump, and roadway compliance against mine designs. Communicate deviations and corrective actions to Mine Engineering and Planning teams.
- Volume Measurement & Reconciliation: Survey and calculate volumes of ore, waste, overburden, and spoil piles to support mine reconciliation, planning, and reporting requirements.
- Drafting & Modeling: Develop, review, and maintain survey drawings, surfaces, and models using approved surveying and mine planning software. Direct drafting activities as required.
- Team Leadership & Supervision: Lead, mentor, and supervise survey technicians and crew members, ensuring effective use of electronic surveying equipment and adherence to quality and safety standards.
- Planning Support: Provide survey input to short- and long-term mine planning, including pit expansions, road networks, dumps, and stockpile layouts.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate surveying services across Mine Operations, Engineering, Planning, Mill, Environmental, Hydrology, Operations Support, special projects, and external contract surveyors.
- Project Management: Scope, plan, and manage mine and waste dump surveying projects, including progress tracking and reporting for earthmoving and infrastructure initiatives.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement efficiency improvements related to road design, pit layouts, stockpiles, and dump configurations to enhance operational performance.
- Budget & Administration: Develop and manage the surveying budget, approve timesheets, track vacation records, and procure required surveying equipment and supplies.
- Field Execution: Perform regular field surveys to support pit operations, dump development, and special projects as required.
- Values & Accountability: Demonstrate Capstone Copper’s values of accountability, excellence, results delivery, and responsible work in all interactions and decisions.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Surveying or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in open-pit mining
- Minimum 4 years of professional surveying experience
- Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience managing survey crews
- Strong understanding of drill–blast–load–haul open-pit mining sequences
- Proficient with surveying and mine software (AutoCAD required; Maptek iSite, Vulcan, and Propeller preferred)
- Experience with surface and volumetric calculations using surveying software
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Valid Arizona Driver’s License
- Ability to speak, read, write, and comprehend English
Preferred
- Open-pit mining survey experience
- Experience supporting mine planning, dump design, and earthworks projects
- Familiarity with mine reconciliation and production reporting processes
- Experience coordinating contract surveyors and multi-department survey requests
All candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical exam, drug and alcohol test, and background check. All positions require a pre-placement physical examination to ensure candidates are 'fit for duty’. Additional training and/or testing may be required. Capstone maintains a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
CAPSTONE COPPER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.