Infrastructure Technician

Sanford Underground Research Facility; Lead (SD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sanford Underground Research Facility is seeking an Infrastructure Technician to maintain and construct underground structures ensuring safety and compliance. Responsibilities include managing cage operations, material handling, and ensuring the upkeep of various systems.

Preferred qualifications include experience in construction, heavy machinery operation, and safety protocols. This on-site role offers a unique opportunity to work in a challenging environment deep underground.

Qualifications

• Experience in general construction practices, concrete work, timber framing.
• Experience in the mining industry or related field (shaft inspection and repair).
• Experience operating heavy machinery and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Constructs and maintains underground structures and systems.
• Loads skips & cages with materials and equipment.
• Reports material inventories and coordinates transport of materials.

Skills

Adaptability

Attention to Detail

Communication

Initiative

Reliable

Teamwork

Safety

Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Tools

Heavy machinery operation

Hand tools

Job description

Job Overview

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Infrastructure Technician works in the Operations Division under the Hoists & Shafts Department and is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and repair of surface and underground structures to ensure a safe environment and stable structure.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Maintaining and constructing underground structures and systems
• Maintains and repairs existing structures (shaft steel and timber, ventilation, drainage, water, etc.) to ensure safety and compliance.
• Reads and follows blueprints drafted by engineers to ensure proper placement and structure.
• Constructs new underground structures (drills, blasts, mucks, rock bolts, etc.).
• Builds and repairs track for track mounted equipment (pulleys, carts, etc.).
• Installs and repairs pipes containing air, water, etc.
• Ensures upkeep of ventilation system, underground water treatment facility, drainage system and other underground support systems.
• General Construction: uses hand tools to manually remove, replace or repair large pieces of timber or steel structure that could weigh more than 100 pounds.
• Rock Bolting: Uses a jackleg machine weighing 100 pounds to install rock bolts within shaft.
• Material Handling: By manual means, removes large amounts of debris, muck and boulders from shaft; often times boulders will weigh in excess of 100 pounds.

Managing Cage/Skip

• Loads skips & cages with materials and equipment.
• Records number of containers and personnel.
• Calculates capacities and estimates weight to prepare for hoisting.
• Moves loads on and off conveyances.
• Makes necessary notifications when cage is used to carry personnel.
• Plans and prioritizes (in conjunction with other staff) the materials and personnel being raised/lowered in the cage.

Preparing and Managing Materials and Supplies

• Reports material inventories to ensure proper material orders.
• Stages and coordinates transport of materials.
• Gives directions to other workers in loading of cage to ensure conformance to safety regulations.
• Maintains supply storage areas, equipment and supplies, such as fire extinguishers, lamps and batteries.
• Assists in setting up and operating a variety of equipment and other machinery.
• Records material intake and usage.
• Monitors air and gas levels within the underground.
• Assists in general duties: Assists engineers and technicians in data collection for analysis, collects samples to be used in Science research and disposes of waste.

Other Essential Functions

• Maintains consistent and reliable attendance.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.

Certifications and Licenses

• N/A.

Experience

• Experience in general construction practices, concrete work, timber framing, etc.
• Experience in the mining industry or related field (including shaft inspection and repair) is preferred.
• Experience operating heavy machinery and equipment.
• Experience and understanding of environment, safety and health policies (application of safety equipment).
• Demonstrated experience reading and interpreting blueprints.

Competencies, Knowledge and Skills

• Adaptability—Ability to effectively adjust to changing priorities and demands.
• Attention to Detail—Maintains constant awareness of surroundings and ensures tasks are completed carefully and accurately.
• Communication—Communicates effectively and clearly with a wide range of audiences in both written and oral form.
• Initiative—Persists despite difficult conditions and makes suggestions for improvements.
• Reliable—Dependable in performing work-related duties and prioritizing assigned projects to ensure deadlines are met. Keeps absences to a minimum and is punctual.
• Safety—Ability to learn, understand, and comply with the SDSTA’s safety programs.
• Teamwork—Work cooperatively and support others in the workgroup.

Working Conditions

• Perform work in the SURF underground environment at depths up to 5,000 feet.
• Exposure to varying temperatures, dust, noise, and potentially hazardous conditions typical of underground mining operations.
• The noise level in this work environment is moderately loud and may require hearing protection.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed.
• The company is committed to providing a safe working environment and adheres to all relevant health and safety regulations.
• Employees are expected to comply with SDSTA’s ESH Manual safety program.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety Standards protocols are mandatory.
• Act in accordance with SDSTA’s core values: Safety Focused, Care for Others, Professionalism and Being a Team Player.

Mental and Physical Demands

• Regular interaction with team members, supervisors, and other departments to coordinate tasks.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to stay focused and alert during long shifts, often under physically challenging conditions.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing work conditions, unexpected delays, or the need to shift tasks as needed.
• Ability to quickly respond to emergency situations and make decisions to ensure the safety of the team and other stakeholders.
• Ability to follow instructions, procedures and safety protocols.
• Recognize and stop work in conditions that present immediate danger.
• Flexibility to adjust to rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and emergency callouts.
• Ability to work at heights, and from ladders, scaffolding, and confined spaces underground, sometimes up to 5,000 feet deep.
• Capability to perform physically demanding tasks, including prolonged standing, walking, kneeling, crouching, squatting, and crawling.
• Ability to bend, twist, and work in awkward positions to access underground areas.
• Must regularly lift, push, and pull materials weighing up to 125 pounds.
• Ability to hear warning signals, auditory signals or team communications in noisy environments.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work in various environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, wet or muddy conditions, and confined spaces.
• Dexterity to handle and operate hand and power tools, machinery, and equipment used in infrastructure work (e.g., jackhammers, excavators, shovels).
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for extended periods.
• Ability to assist in performing critical lifts and slung loads.

Job Information

Supervisory Duties: No

Direct Reports: N/A

Work Arrangements: On‑Site

Hours: 7-on 7-off; 12.5hrs shifts

Travel Required: 0%

Mission, Vision, Core Values

Mission: We advance world‑class science and inspire learning across generations.

Vision: The world’s preferred location for underground science and education.

Core Values

• Safety Focused: We do not compromise safety or endanger the environment.
• Care for Others: We embrace and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We listen knowing everyone has something to offer and to learn.
• Professional: What we do is important to our community and the world. We sweat the details to achieve big things. Our behavior and ethics exemplify our best.
• Team Players: We provide unmatched service. We are respectful and deliver for our customers and partners. We build trust not barriers.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) is an equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce. We foster a work community where every individual feels welcomed, valued, respected and heard and discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or political affiliation is prohibited.