What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technician - Engineering Survey (Mine) position at HECLA MINING CO.?
As our Engineering Survey Technician, you will measure, line out, and map underground features including development & production drifts, headings, infrastructure, and stopes at an underground hard rock mining operation. Every day you will work at a mine on a remote island about 18 miles outside of Juneau, Alaska. You’ll start each day organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing work activities to promote a safe, healthy, and accident-free work environment. You will be called upon to work cooperatively with others as part of a team, and encourage collaboration, trust, and openness among employees. To thrive in this role, you are able to use a variety of survey instruments and computer databases to capture as-built details of mine excavations. We’re on a remote island; you must know how to work independently as well as identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
About Us
The Greens Creek Mine, located on Admiralty Island 18 miles south of Juneau, is an underground polymetallic mine operating since 1989, employing approximately 500 people. The mine is owned and operated by Hecla Mining Company, headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Established in 1891, Hecla has a rich history as a distinguished and respected precious metals producer. Winner of numerous safety and environmental awards, Greens Creek is seeking new team members committed to professional growth and success.
Here’s what you can expect in this role:
- Training first. Every hire is provided MSHA training in the first 4 days on the job. We also provide department-level training on not just what to do, but safety, as well.
- You will meet with mine engineers, geologists and operators to determine scope of needed survey.
- You perform safety inspections of underground work areas prior to beginning survey activities.
- You capture as-built details of mine excavation and mark up line & grade using Trimble total stations & data collectors.
- You perform cavity monitoring surveys with drone, conventional, and borehole CMS scanner hardware.
- You delineate boundaries, prepare maps and as-built plans using 2D, 3D and other computer-based programs (Deswik and AutoCAD).
- Safety is important. Every piece of equipment and each work area must be inspected before work starts.
- A team you can rely on, a team that will have your back.
POSITION SUMMARY
Measures, lines out, and maps underground features including development & production drifts, headings, infrastructure, and stopes, using a variety of survey instruments and computer databases. Updates and maintains survey as-built files.
Safety, Health & Environmental Responsibilities AND Accountabilities
All Hecla personnel shall strive to achieve best practice in safety and health, and assist in the control of incidents, injuries and loss. Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Complying with all necessary requirements put in place to prevent incidents, injuries or losses
- Ensuring the safety and health of themselves and others in the workplace by being responsible for their actions and taking due care while performing their work
- Identifying, eliminating, and reporting hazards as soon as practicable
- Reporting incidents and accidents as soon as practicable
- Disclosing all information regarding incidents and cooperating in incident investigations
- Assisting in the resolution of health and safety matters in a positive and timely manner
- Using and maintaining PPE
- Providing suggestions for improving work processes
- Assisting Management by supporting change to achieve desired targets
- Ensuring that plant and equipment operate within their safe working limits
- Ensuring that correct equipment is used for the job
- Participating in risk assessment methodology
- Participating in safety initiatives
- Receiving training and instruction as required
- Maintaining good housekeeping standards
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Meets with mine engineers, geologists and operators to determine scope of needed survey.
- Studies existing mine maps, production records and survey information on areas to be surveyed; assesses what further information is needed to carry out the survey.
- Captures as-built details of mine excavations and marks up line & grade using Trimble total stations & data collectors.
- Performs cavity monitoring surveys with both conventional and borehole CMS scanner hardware.
- Performs safety inspections of underground work areas prior to beginning survey activities
- Delineates boundaries; prepares maps and as-built plans using 2D, 3D and other computer-based programs (Deswik and AutoCAD).
- Performs traverse work to correct historic closure errors
- Other duties may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Requirements
Associates Degree in surveying or related field; or equivalent combination of education and work experience in lieu of degree.
Experience
Prefer two or more years’ experience in survey work. Must understand surveying principles and AutoCAD. Experience with Deswik or another 3D mining software package is preferred but not required. The ability to use survey equipment to produce data, analyze and summarize into computer generated reports and maps is required. Knowledge of Microsoft and other software (Excel, Word, Notepad) preferred.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, employees may be frequently required to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; use hand and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb and balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. The employee must be able to talk and hear.
Other Physical Demands
Vision:
- Able to judge distances and spatial relationships to avoid accidents while driving and walking underground
- Have clarity of vision while operating machinery, reading gauges, and placing tools
- Have clarity of vision for distances while navigating within the mine and access roads efficiently and safely
- Able to adjust varying points of reference while safely navigating the terrain, maintaining awareness of traffic, and operating tools and machinery
- Able to identify vehicles, machinery, and people in peripheral vision
Speaking:
- Able to clearly communicate with co-workers and supervisors on the radio and in person
Hearing:
- Must wear hearing protection while working in the mine
Work EnvironmenT
Employees may be frequently exposed to underground work environments; outside weather conditions, wet and/or humid conditions; extreme cold, extreme heat, potentially hazardous wildlife; moving mechanical parts; high precarious places; fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; explosives and vibration. The noise level in most work environments is usually very loud.
ABOUT US
Greens Creek
The Greens Creek Mine, located on Admiralty Island, 18 miles south of Juneau, is an underground polymetallic mine employing approximately 500 people. The mine is owned and operated by Hecla Mining Company, headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Established in 1891, Hecla has a rich history as a distinguished and respected precious metals producer. Winner of numerous safety and environmental awards, Greens Creek is seeking new team members committed to professional growth and success.
Community
Juneau, Alaska's capital, is the third largest city in the state. Like Alaska, Juneau is full of contrasts, a sophisticated cosmopolitan city in the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Nestled at the base of mountains overlooking the Gastineau Channel, Juneau is surrounded by intercoastal waterways, lush rain forests, rugged mountainsides, and awe-inspiring glaciers. This small city has it all, the adventure of the "last frontier" as well as a good education system, year-round cultural and sports activities, a wide variety of entertainment, world class fishing and wildlife viewing, temperate weather, and a strong sense of community. Juneau is rich in mining history and Greens Creek is proud to contribute to that heritage by operating in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
Compensation & Benefits
Hecla Greens Creek offers competitive pay based on experience and an excellent low-cost benefits package for medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as other coverages such as disability coverage and life insurance. Retirement benefits include a 401(k) with company match.