Senior Production Geologist

As our Senior Production Geologist, you will supervise the production geology team while facilitating geological communication between engineering, operations and geology groups such that the appropriate plans are developed and executed to keep our production going and our profitability up. You’ll start every day at the mine site organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing work activities to ensure timely completion of projects, programs, and objectives. Your average workday consists of coordinating the efforts of Production Geology to ensure the short range mine plan is being properly implemented, and consistent and accurate direction is being given to the underground operations. To thrive in this role, you will provide supervision and mentoring of a group of geologists to support the mining effort safely and successfully. We’re on a remote island, you must know how to work independently, 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 515 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 with MSHA training in the first 4 days of the job. We also provide department-level training on not just what to do, but safety, as well. 
• You will be the primary point of contact for all matters related to production geology.
• You will manage personnel matters relating to the eight-person Production Geology team, including scheduling and performance evaluations. 
• You will make safety of your team the highest priority by personally observing safety procedures, and will ensure the staff is properly trained in all applicable SOP/SWP’s and will provide additional support through “toolbox” safety meetings and regular safety interactions.
• You will maintain an expert level understanding of the geology of all active and upcoming mining areas.
• You will review and provide geologic feedback and approval of engineering plans.
• Provide stope and pre-production drilling suggestions and designs as necessary.
• Work alongside Resource Modeling team to ensure accurate production data is transferred for modeling updates.
• You will ensure face sampling is standardized and is of sufficient quality and quantity to provide an accurate predictor of the tenor of both ore and waste.
• Relocate to Juneau and work on a remote island. You will take a boat commute to work every day. Every department is slightly different, but this role in the Geology department works 4 days on followed by 3 days off for 11 hours each day.

We have a three-part interview process. You must complete the self-assessment that will be sent to you via e-mail after you have completed your application. Then, if you are selected, our hiring manager will reach out to you via phone call to get to know you and your skill set a little better. Finally, if you are selected to move forward, you will be invited to come for a site interview to ensure that we are fit for you, and you are a fit for us. 

Applicants must possess current authorization to work in the United States. Hecla Greens Creek is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please visit Hecla’s website at www.hecla.com and our recruiting page at http://www.hecla.com/careers/

POSITION SUMMARY

A senior level geologist role within the mine technical services team, the Senior Production Geologist reports directly to the Chief Geologist. The role includes 1) supervision of the production geology staff, 2) facilitating geological communication between engineering, operations and geology groups such that the appropriate plans are developed and executed 3) maintaining an expert level understanding of the geology of all active and upcoming mining areas 4) review and provide geologic feedback and approval of engineering plans 5) production of monthly reports including reconciliations, 6) maintenance of the production database, and 7) covering production geology when geologists are on vacation.

Greens Creek is a world class VMS deposit. Its high-grade, polymetallic nature, and extreme structural complexity make it an intriguing and challenging ore deposit for a geologist to work within. This structural complexity positions the production geology group into a critical role at the forefront of the mining process. This position seeks a highly motivated candidate, comfortable with providing supervision and mentoring of a group of geologists to safely and successfully support the mining effort. 

Safety, Health & Environmental Responsibilities AND Accountabilities 
Include, but are not limited to:

• Display due diligence in safety & health, and environmental matters and lead by example to ensure the successful implementation of the Safety & Health Management System, and the Environmental Management System
• Promote open communication and cooperation
• Ensure that all employees, contractors, and visitors are informed of safety, health, and environmental issues on site and distribute relevant safety, health, and environmental information
• Ensure Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) are completed for appropriate tasks and participate in the process
• Undertake safety and health audits and inspections and interact with personnel concerning improving work practices and following up on action items
• Support all personnel in achieving and maintaining desired safety, health, and environmental outcomes
• Recognize superior safety, health, and environmental performance to help increase commitment and participation
• Manage, notify, report, and investigate incidents and hazards in a timely manner as required
• Manage compliance with safety and health requirements and ensure issues are being addressed prior to commencement of work (such as permits completed, isolations checked, and tagging completed)
• Manage compliance with federal and state environmental regulations to ensure a field presence on a routine basis
• Verify that personnel hold the appropriate qualifications and licenses
• Monitor the safe use and control of all tools and equipment
• Promote and assist in the implementation of site safety initiatives and safety-monitoring tools
• Attend and monitor pre-start and toolbox meetings, ensuring they are conducted and minutes are prepared, issued, and action items developed as appropriate 
• Assist in preparing and contributing to monthly safety, health and environmental reporting

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership Competencies

• Employee focus—manage difficult employee situations, respond promptly to employee needs, and keep commitments
• Problem solving—identify and resolve problems in a timely manner as well gather and analyze information skillfully
• Interpersonal skills—maintain confidentiality, remain open to others’ ideas, and exhibit willingness to try new things
• Communication—speak clearly and persuasively in a positive manner, edit work for spelling and grammar, present numerical data effectively, and read and interpret written information
• Planning/organizing—prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently, and develop realistic action plans
• Quality control—demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness and monitor own work to ensure quality
• Adaptability—adapt to a complex and dynamic work environment, including delays and unexpected events, creating ongoing need to reassess and manage changing priorities that may conflict at times
• Dependability—consistently follow instructions, respond to management direction, and solicit feedback to improve performance
• Self-awareness—recognize and understand moods, emotions, and drives of self; as well as their effect on others
• Self-regulation—control or redirect disruptive impulses and moods and the propensity to suspend judgment
• Motivation—bring a passion to work for reasons which go beyond money or status and have a propensity to pursue goals with energy and persistence
• Empathy—understand the emotional makeup of people and have skill in treating people according to their emotional reactions
• Social skills—proficient in managing relationships and building networks while finding common ground and building rapport

Departmental Responsibilities 

• Supervise the Production Geology Staff
  • Two Lead Production Geologists currently directly report to this role, with another six Production Geologists indirectly reporting to this role
  • The safety of this staff is the priority of the Senior Production Geologist and they will ensure the staff is properly trained in all applicable SOP/SWP’s and will provide additional support through “toolbox” safety meetings and regular safety interactions
  • All personnel issues relating to the Production Geology staff will be directed through the Senior Production Geologist, this includes scheduling, attendance, performance evaluations, and AIPs 
• Coordinate the efforts of the Production Geology Staff
  • Ensure the Production Geologists are properly implementing the short range mine plan and are constantly striving to provide consistent and accurate direction to the underground operations
  • Ensure face sampling is standardized and is of sufficient quality and quantity to provide an accurate predictor of the tenor of both ore and waste
  • Ensure compliance with GCMC’s ARD management plan
  • Provide stope and pre-production drilling suggestions and designs as necessary
  • Schedule underground mapping activities to ensure all major structures and contacts are mapped in each working area
  • Ensure face and back mapping is compiled onto working sections and plans
  • Ensure information on the working sections and plans is brought into Deswik and LeapFrog in a timely manner
  • Work with the resource geologist to ensure complicated stope scale structures and observations are appropriately reflected in the short- and long-term models
• Facilitate communication between the Engineering staff, the Production Geologists, and Underground Operations
  • The Senior Production Geologist should be the primary point of contact for all issues related to production geology
• Coordinate and report on mine/mill reconciliations on a monthly basis
  • Tons and grade of ore shipped from each stope shall be estimated from face sampling
  • Waste and fill dilution in each stope shall be calculated
  • Reconciliation to the mill will be reported using standard reconciliation formats
  • Formulates and maintains QA/QC program for grade-control samples; prepares weekly and monthly reports detailing the results of the program
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
 Education and/or Experience

• B.S. in Geological Engineering, Geology or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Four or more years of experience in mining industry: Experience and familiarity with job functions as described

Other Qualifications

• Proficiency with 3D modeling software (Leapfrog, Vulcan, Micromine, or similar) to display data, plan drillholes, and perform geologic modeling. As well as Deswik.CAD and Deswik.Mapping.
• Capable of working independently as well as within a team environment, with strong interpersonal, presentation and communications skills 
• Strong written communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, stay organized and effectively manage data in a dynamic work environment.
• Proficient with MS office applications, and acQuire database software.
• Pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen
• Pass a position-specific physical demands assessment

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 or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision requirements for this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.