Coal & Noncoal Project Engineer

General Description

With statewide engineering responsibilities, perform technical reviews of permitting actions for coal and non‑coal 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.

As a State of Wyoming employee, you will enjoy a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, holidays; and a state pension and deferred compensation program. Wyoming has no state income tax.

• 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 non‑coal operations with an emphasis on engineering procedures for end‑of‑mine reclamation, closure plans and termination of associated permits.
• Complete statewide engineering design and construction‑related reviews of impoundments, stream channels and reclaimed surface topography for 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.
• Coordinate efforts with other state and federal agencies on mine engineering‑related issues for permitting actions and NEPA procedures.
• Perform and coordinate interdisciplinary technical reviews for complex permitting actions.
• 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 compliance with agency policies, rules and state statutes.
• Conduct inspections of mining operations as assigned, determine compliance, and write detailed inspection reports.
• Write appropriate enforcement actions (e.g., conference and conciliation, notice of violation, order) and develop settlement agreements when appropriate.
• Represent the LQD in public meetings and provide recommendations for resolving permitting and enforcement‑related issues.
• Engage with public officials, agencies, industry representatives and consultants to resolve permitting issues relevant to the LQD program.
• Respond to and resolve, within delegated authority, concerns raised by the public and other agencies.
• May serve as an expert witness related to engineering in contested case hearings.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the LQD Administrator and/or District Supervisor.

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

• Engineering design and construction principles related to surface mining operations.
• Mass balance calculations, postmine topography, surface water hydrology, erosion and pollution control, watershed management, water chemistry, fluvial geomorphology, and channel modeling related to surface mining.
• Permitting, regulating, and enforcing state environmental law and mining reclamation procedures.
• Scientific principles to analyze environmental threats from mining.
• Prioritizing workload, resolving conflicts, solving complex problems, travel, and field work.
• Experience with GPS, GIS, database maintenance and design.
• Competency with word processing, database and spreadsheet applications, GIS query and mapping.
• Excellent communication and cooperative skills with staff, regulated community.
• Solution‑oriented approach to complex issues.

• Minimum:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
• Experience:
  
  2–4 years progressive engineering work at the level of a Project Engineer.

• Professional Engineer’s (PE) License required at time of hire;
  Wyoming PE required within one year.

• Extensive travel and field site visits, including hiking over rough terrain.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays.
• Retirement – state pension and 457(b) plans.
• Flexible schedules and work‑life balance options.
• Meaningful work impacting Wyoming communities.
• Other benefits: voluntary life insurance, pet insurance, disability, health savings accounts, loan forgiveness, professional development, employee assistance, wellness program.

Explore our Total Compensation Calculator at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities. FLSA:
Exempt.