Environmental Engineer III

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, NORTH DAKOTA; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 84,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Dakota Public Service Commission seeks a highly skilled Engineer for its Reclamation Division, regulating surface coal mining in the state. A team of scientists on staff processes mining permits and oversees reclamation operations through regular mine inspections.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in civil/mining/environmental/geological engineering, plus three years of experience and a valid North Dakota driver’s license. Master’s may substitute for one year of experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil, mining, environmental or geological engineering.
• Three years of engineering work experience.
• Must have, or obtain within 30 days of employment, a valid North Dakota driver's license.
• A Master's Degree in a related field may substitute for one year of professional-level work experience.
• Preferred: Professional Engineer (P.E.) status, EIT/FE certification, or ability to obtain.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and other engineering related software.
• Experience in surface coal mine operations, reclamation procedures, or regulatory roles is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform timely reviews of applications for mining permits, permit revisions, permit renewals, bond releases, monitoring data, and other data.
• Review reclamation cost calculations to ensure bonds are sufficient for reclamation.
• Review applications for mine blaster certification and maintain a certified blasters database.
• Conduct field inspections of surface coal mines for compliance with laws, rules and policies.
• Prepare inspection reports, deficiencies, and technical issues noted in applications.
• Develop knowledge of software used during mine inspections and review of mining permits.
• Use GIS to store and manage mining and reclamation information.
• Comment on proposed rules and policies related to mining engineering.

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil, mining, environmental or geological engineering

Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

Job Location: Bismarck

Salary: $7,500 - $8,100 per month depending on experience

Benefits

The North Dakota Public Service Commission offers challenging work opportunities, a full range of employee benefits including a comprehensive employer-paid health plan, paid leave, a retirement plan, flexible work hours, a stable work-life environment and more. For more information, go to our website at www.psc.nd.gov .

Agency Overview

The North Dakota Public Service Commission is involved with varying degrees of engagement with regional transmission organizations, and regulation of investor owned electric, natural gas and telecommunications utilities; siting of energy conversion and transmission facilities; permitting coal mines and overseeing coal mine reclamation; abandoned mine land reclamation; weights and measures compliance, rail and gas safety; and underground damage prevention enforcement.

Summary Of Work

The North Dakota Public Service Commission seeks to hire a highly skilled Engineer for its Reclamation Division. The Reclamation Division is responsible for regulating surface coal mining in the state. A team of scientists on staff collectively process mining permits and oversee mining and reclamation operations by conducting frequent mine inspections. The Reclamation Division has staff specialized in hydrology, agronomy, wildlife and range science, engineering, and soils. We are looking for a new engineer to join the team.

Duties Include

• Perform timely reviews of applications for mining permits, permit revisions, permit renewals, bond releases, monitoring data, and other data to ensure regulatory requirements are met. This includes reviewing and evaluating surface water management and other design plans prepared by or under the direction of registered professional engineers.
• Review reclamation cost calculations in applications to ensure they are calculated according to established guidelines and that bond amounts are sufficient to carry out reclamation in event of bond forfeiture.
• Review applications for the certification of mine blasters, maintain a database for certified blasters, and remain familiar with matters associated with the use of explosives at the mines.
• Conduct field inspections of surface coal mines to determine if mining and reclamation operations comply with current laws, rules, and policies.
• Prepare clearly written inspection reports, deficiencies, and technical issues noted in applications.
• Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of software applications used during mine inspections and in the technical review of mining permit and revision applications.
• Use and add data to the Reclamation Division's Geographic Information System (GIS) for storing and managing mining and reclamation information on file within the division.
• Suggest and comment on proposed rules and policies related to the engineering aspects of the mining and reclamation regulatory program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in civil, mining, environmental or geological engineering or closely related engineering degree.
• Three years of engineering work experience.
• Must have, or obtain within 30 days of employment, a valid North Dakota driver's license.

A Master's Degree in a related field may substitute for one year of professional-level work experience.

If unable to find qualified applicants, will consider filling at a lower level which requires a bachelor's degree in civil, mining, environmental or geological engineering, or closely related engineering degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) status, EIT/FE certification, or ability to obtain.
• Working knowledge of surface water hydrology software, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and other engineering related software.
• Knowledge of surface coal mine operations and reclamation procedures.
• Work experience or applicable course work in the design of water impoundments and roads.
• Work experience or applicable course work in calculating earthwork construction cost estimates and/or bond amounts.
• Work experience or applicable course work with mass balance calculations.
• Experience working in a regulatory role.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorships will not be considered.

Application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date.

For more information about the position or if you need accommodation or assistance in the application or interview process, contact Sheila Zacher at [phone], TTY 1-800-366-6888, or 711.

About Team ND

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Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.