Blaster

Austin Powder; Philipsburg (Centre County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Powder is seeking a Blaster to perform field tests and determine the explosives needed for each job. You will read drill patterns, coordinate shot layouts, and detonate shots while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

The role requires interaction with on-site personnel, documenting procedures, and ensuring adherence to customer policies. Responsibilities include safety audits, issue resolution, and accurate recordkeeping on all shot events.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 21+ years old as required by ATF.
• Current blaster's license as required by state.
• Experience of all initiation systems, laser profiling, and seismographs.

Responsibilities

• Review drill patterns and diagrams to determine product and shot layout.
• Communicate blast details with all personnel on site.
• Prepare and detonate a shot safely and successfully.
• Conduct pre/post Shot Safety Audits and document per policy.
• Ensure crew complies with customers' policies/procedures.
• Coordinate handling of customer issues and public concerns with APC personnel.
• Communicate with sales representative and Location Manager regarding accounts.
• Maintain safe work environment and comply with regulations.
• Complete paperwork or software programs per policies and laws.

Skills

Communication skills

Written communication

Attention to detail

Field adaptability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

ATF-required age (21+)

Blaster's license

Experience with initiation systems, laser profiling, seismographs

Job description

Join the Family

Come work for an exciting company offering great benefits, challenging opportunities, and colleagues who feel more like family.

Job Summary

A Blaster conducts field tests to determine the type and quantity of explosives needed for the job. With attention to detail, a Blaster reads and interprets drill patterns, instructions, and diagrams. This position is responsible to effectively communicate with personnel on the job site in order to complete job duties safely and successfully. The Blaster is responsible for arranging and detonating shots, as well as maintaining all required documentation.
The Blaster is responsible for ensuring the team complies with our customers' policies/procedures. With the appropriate personnel, the Blaster will coordinate the handling of client issues, blast area incidents, and/or public concerns. Safety is a number one priority. A Blaster must be highly knowledgeable of explosives in order to ensure the work is done safely and mitigating risks.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Under direction or in position of Blaster in Charge, reviews drill patterns and diagrams, determines product and shot layout necessary to meet customer needs.
• Communicates blast details with all personnel on job site.
• Performs duties necessary to prepare and detonate a shot safely and successfully.
• Conducts pre/post Shot Safety Audits and documentation per Austin's policy on all shot service events.
• Ensures the shot crew complies with customers' policies/procedures,
• Coordinates the handling of all customer issues, blast area incidents, and/or public concerns related to the event with appropriate APC personnel.
• Communicates regularly with the sales representative and/or Location Manager regarding customer accounts.
• Maintains a safe and healthy work environment by assuring compliance at the location, at customer sites, and during transit as required by regulation and company policy.
• Complies with APC inventory management procedures.
• Completes and maintains necessary paperwork or software programs as required by company policies and procedures, Department of Transportation, or other federal or state agencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 21+ years old as required by ATF.
• Current blaster's license as required by state.
• Experience of all initiation systems, laser profiling, and seismographs

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Must meet requirements of all state and federal explosive laws and qualify as an ATF explosive possessor.
• Ability to clearly communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to audibly hear and respond to the work environment of an active mining site.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Outdoor climate and terrain.
• Exposure to dust, noise, oils and other mining elements.
• Position requires the ability to walk, stand, stoop, kneel and hand/finger dexterity to operate controls/tools.