Coal & Noncoal Project Engineer

General Description

With statewide engineering responsibilities, perform technical reviews of permitting actions for coal and noncoal operations with an emphasis on engineering topics such as analyzing mass balance calculations, postmine topography (PMT), slope analyses, hydrologic designs for reclaimed drainages, stream channels and impoundments. Emphasis will be centered on coal mining operations in the Powder River Basin.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement-Pension and 457(b) plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

Human Resource Contact: deq.hr

• Statewide engineering duties for coal and non‑coal mining operations related to mass balance calculations, slope stability analyses and surface hydrology calculations.
• Assist with statewide technical reviews for coal and noncoal operations with an emphasis on engineering procedures for end‑of‑mine reclamation, closure plans and termination of associated permits.
• Responsible for completing statewide engineering design and construction‑related reviews of impoundments, stream channels and reclaimed surface topography for coal and non‑coal mine permits.
• Serve as permit coordinator for one or more coal and non‑coal mining operations as assigned by the District Supervisor.
• Participate in the development of guidance documents and regulations focusing on surface water hydrology‑related topics and issues.
• Coordinate efforts with other state and federal agencies on mine engineering‑related issues for coal and non‑coal permitting actions and NEPA procedures.
• Perform and coordinate interdisciplinary technical reviews for complex permitting actions.
• Will recommend approval of complex permits and reclamation performance bond estimates and assist in regulating district exploration and delineation drilling programs.
• Conduct technical review of documents, reports and data to ensure they are in accordance with agency policies, rules and state statutes.
• Conduct inspections of various mining operations as assigned by the district supervisor to determine compliance and write detailed inspection reports.
• Write appropriate and necessary enforcement actions (Conference and Conciliation, Notice of Violation, Order, etc.) in a timely fashion; this may include the development of a Settlement Agreement when appropriate.
• Represent LQD in public meetings and provide appropriate recommendations for resolving permitting and enforcement‑related issues.
• Confer with public officials, government agencies, representatives of private industry and consultants in the resolution of permitting issues relevant to the LQD program.
• Respond to and resolve, within delegated authority, concerns raised by the public and other government agencies.
• May serve as an expert witness related to engineering in contested case hearings.
• Additional duties as assigned by LQD Administrator and/or District Supervisor.

Preference will be given to applicants with a Bachelor’s degree and experience related to environmental/civil/mechanical/mine engineering or surface water hydrology.

• Knowledge of engineering design and construction principles related to surface mining operations.
• Knowledge of mass balance calculations, postmine topography (PMT), surface water hydrology, erosion and pollution control, watershed management, water chemistry, fluvial geomorphology, and channel modeling as related to surface mining operations.
• Understanding of permitting, regulating, and enforcing state environmental law and the practices of mining operations and reclamation procedures.
• Skill in the application of scientific principles to effectively analyze problems and situations that potentially threaten the environment due to mining‑related activities.
• Ability to prioritize workload, resolve conflicts, solve complex problems, travel and work in the field.
• Experience with global positioning systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and maintenance and design of relational databases.
• Skill in the use of personal…