Explosives Blaster (Zephyr, TX)

Orica Limited; Town of Texas, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

Health Savings Account

401(k) match

Company truck

Paid holidays

Paid sick time

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Orica is seeking an Explosives Blaster in Zephyr, TX to manage daily loading and firing of blasts and to mentor the team on safety and best practices. The role requires building customer relationships and working at customer sites to deliver products and services with professional conduct.

Ideal candidates have blasting experience or a strong safety mindset with on-the-job training. Familiarity with detonators and explosives, plus knowledge of mining/regulatory requirements, is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Blasting experience preferred; on-the-job training provided.
• Familiarity with non-electric and electronic detonators and with packaged and bulk explosives preferred.
• Working knowledge of mining, quarrying, construction, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to learn new systems and technologies.
• Strong commitment to safety, compliance, and teamwork in a field-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of employees, customers, the public, and site operations.
• Provide mentoring and skill development to the team.
• Set and communicate targets and results to the crew.
• Deliver total load service requirements per business/marketing specifications.
• Ensure compliance with quality specifications and QA procedures.
• Maximize asset utilization within customer service levels.
• Contribute to project scopes with site managers.
• Attend mine daily planning meetings as required.
• Maintain flexibility as priorities change.

Skills

Blasting experience

Detonators familiarity

Mining knowledge

Safety mindset

Computer proficiency

Education

High school diploma

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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Date: 3 Sept 2026

Company: Orica

About Orica

From the production and supply of explosives, blasting systems, mining chemicals, and geotechnical monitoring to our cutting-edge digital solutions and comprehensive range of services, we sustainably mobilize the earth’s resources.

Orica has been recognized as one of the top companies for women to work for in the transportation industry by the Women in Trucking Association (WIT) in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Orica does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need Orica Immigration Sponsorship (e.g., H1-B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) now or in the future.

About the role - Explosives Blaster (Zephyr, TX)

We are excited to announce an opportunity at Orica for an Explosives Blaster within our Orica USA Commercial team.

The Explosives Blaster is responsible for the daily loading and firing of blasts and for supporting, mentoring, and developing the team's skills to meet mining service needs in line with agreed business goals.

This position requires building customer relationships and working at customers' sites for Orica to provide products or services and promote the organization through safe, professional, and efficient contact with the customer.

• Monday through Friday
• Early morning start times, typically between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM, based on customer and operational needs
• Local travel, including driving up to 2.5 hours from Zephyr, TX, to customer sites

What you will be doing

• Ensure the safety and protection of Orica employees, customers, the public, and security
• Creating and maintaining a culture of employee empowerment, involvement and continuous improvement
• Setting and communicating targets and results to all team members
• To deliver the total load service operational requirements to the volume, service type and quality specified by the business and/or marketing to satisfy customer expectations
• Ensuring compliance with quality specifications
• Assisting in establishing and maintaining quality assurance procedures
• Maximizing asset utilization and availability within agreed customer service levels
• Contributing to project scopes with customer and site managers
• Attending mine daily planning meetings as required
• This role does require the individual to be flexible around priorities, as these may change rapidly

What you will bring

• Previous blasting experience is preferred; however, candidates with a strong safety mindset and willingness to learn will be considered, with on-the-job training provided.
• Familiarity with non-electric and electronic detonators, as well as packaged and bulk explosives, preferred.
• Working knowledge of mining, quarrying, construction, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Basic computer proficiency and the ability to learn new systems and technologies.
• Strong commitment to safety, compliance, and teamwork in a field-based environment.
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt to changing priorities

Physical requirements

• The work environment involves being outside in all types of weather
• Lifting up to 60 pounds and carrying 50 pounds or more of products or other materials
• Must be able to load products, pull large hoses, fill holes, and climb on/off the truck
• Shoveling gravel to fill drilled holes consistently throughout the day
• Pushing/pulling in working with equipment
• Other activities include frequent bending and squatting during preparation for shots
• May require extended work hours and the ability to manage moderate physical demands in a fast-paced environment
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in quarry blasting or related blasting operations preferred.
• Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record preferred.

What we offer

As part of a truly global company, you will have the ability to grow and learn in a diverse, collaborative culture. We foster relationships and learning through connected global and local teams, promote flexible and diverse career paths, and support the development of your knowledge and skills.

You will be paid a competitive salary, learn from talented individuals across multiple disciplines, and be able to thrive in a safe workplace within a collaborative culture. Ignite your career at a place where your distinct potential can find its home.

Compensation

• Annual Salary Range: $68,100 – 95,340
• Eligible for an annual short-term incentive plan
• Company Truck

(Salary to be determined by the applicant’s experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.)

• Medical/Prescription Drug – Three (3) plans to choose from
• Dental – Two (2) plans to choose from
• Vision – Two (2) plans to choose from
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Basic Employee Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Voluntary Employee/Dependent Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Company provided Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Company provided Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness and Accident Plans
• Voluntary Identity Theft Protection
• Voluntary Legal Plan
• 401(k) + Company Match
• Company provided Maternity Leave
• Company provided Bonding Leave
• Paid Sick & Safe Time
• Nine (9) Scheduled Holidays + Two (2) Floating Holidays

We respect and value all

Orica promotes and fosters a culture of inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment everywhere we operate. We treat our people and applicants with fairness, dignity, and respect, getting the best of everyone’s contributions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, nationality, age, military or veteran, marital or disability status.

Orica is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are a Drug-free workplace

Nearest Major Market: San Angelo
Nearest Secondary Market: Abilene