Principal Geoscientist, Generative Exploration

Hecla Mining Co.; Coeur d'Alene (ID); Presencial; USD 180.000 - 240.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Hecla Mining Co. in Coeur d'Alene, ID, seeks a Principal Geoscientist, Generative Exploration – Northern Cordillera to lead identification and advancement of new silver and gold assets, aligning with Hecla's growth strategy.

You will manage field programs, data integration, budgets, and stakeholder relations, mentoring staff, and coordinating with Alaska and corporate teams to deliver decisions. The role requires 15+ years in generative exploration, a Geology master's, and NI 43-101/JORC

Formación

• 15+ years in generative exploration and project management with teams.
• Master’s degree in Geology; professional geoscientist certification preferred.
• Active SRO membership and NI 43-101/JORC familiarity preferred.
• Proven track record identifying Tier 1 silver/gold opportunities and securing ground.
• Experience across Northern Cordillera deposits, especially VMS systems.
• Strong field mapping, interpretation, and data integration skills.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS, Leapfrog, ioGAS, and MS Office; travel readiness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsabilidades

• Lead generation and evaluation of new exploration opportunities in the Northern Cordillera.
• Develop data-rich targets, maintain datasets, and evaluate field data for recommendations.
• Design and oversee regional screening, acquisition workups, and property negotiations.
• Plan and execute field programs, supervising crews, contractors, and logistics.
• Mentor geologists and staff; manage budgets and timelines for assigned programs.
• Maintain safety leadership in remote field settings and foster stakeholder relations.

Conocimientos

Project management

Geology expertise

Executive communication

Collaboration

Safety leadership

Educación

Master’s degree in Geology

Professional geoscientist certification

Herramientas

ArcGIS

Leapfrog

ioGAS

Microsoft Office

Descripción del empleo

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Principal Geoscientist, Generative Exploration

Professional Coeur d'Alene, ID, US

Job Title: Principal Geoscientist, Generative Exploration - Northern Cordillera

Department: Corporate Exploration, Dual reporting to Manager, Exploration - AK and Director, Generative Exploration

Reports To: Director of Generative Exploration

Position Summary

The Principal Geoscientist, Generative Exploration – Northern Cordillera leads in identifying, evaluating, and advancing new silver and gold exploration opportunities through systematic exploration and strategic industry networking. The role focuses on generating and advancing projects to key decision points on the path to discovery of Tier 1 silver and gold assets aligned with Hecla's corporate growth strategy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This list is not all-inclusive and may be revised as needed; additional duties may be assigned.

• Promote and maintain a strong safety-first culture across all exploration activities including a strong commitment to following all applicable company, state, and federal safety guidelines.
• Ensure alignment of exploration goals with Hecla’s overall business objectives.

Opportunity Generation & Research

• Identify new exploration opportunities, with a focus on Northern Cordillera, using cost-effective methodologies, including analysis of technical literature, application of geological principles, and innovative targeting approaches
• Lead compilation of data for target regions and properties into quality-controlled, analysis-ready datasets
• Develop and maintain comprehensive databases of mineral deposits and exploration properties within the Northern Cordillera; analyze datasets to identify prospective districts with Tier 1 deposit potential
• Evaluate field data in conjunction with technical reports, geological maps, and engineering/economic studies to prepare detailed recommendations for the Manager of Exploration, Alaska and the Director of Generative Exploration

Property Evaluation & Acquisition

• Design regional screening programs to identify properties for acquisition, using methods such as stream sediment sampling, regional geophysical targeting, remote sensing, and prospectivity analysis
• Prepare comprehensive evaluation reports with actionable recommendations for properties of interest
• Conduct field investigations of exploration properties and assess acquisition of third-party holdings in collaboration with the Sr. Principal, New Exploration Opportunities.
• Coordinate property acquisition through claim staking, government applications, or direct purchase/option agreements
• Lead execution of field programs from planning through delivery — mapping, sampling, geophysics, and drilling — including crew supervision, contractor and drilling management, camp and aviation logistics, and seasonal scheduling
• Own safety leadership in remote settings, where helicopter and float-plane support, wildlife, weather, and isolation drive the risk profile
• Maintain data integrity across the project portfolio — sampling protocols, QA/QC, database discipline, and documentation to a standard that supports future resource work and public disclosure
• Manage and monitor generative exploration budgets and timelines for assigned programs
• Set and apply clear decision criteria for each project, and make the call to advance, divest, or drop on the evidence
• Mentor and develop project geologists and seasonal staff, building regional exploration capability alongside the projects themselves
• Design focused exploration programs that efficiently advance projects to clearly defined decision points

Stakeholder & Business Support

• Develop and maintain positive, culturally respectful relationships with Indigenous nations and local stakeholders in areas of exploration interest
• Support Corporate Development with project and company evaluations, including due diligence studies
• Work in collaboration with Hecla’s sustainability, permitting, legal, and land teams to ensure our license to operate is maintained in the communities in which we work

Qualifications and Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in generative exploration, opportunity recognition, and project management with demonstrated success leading exploration project teams
• Master’s degree or other advanced degree in Geology required
• Active membership in a recognized Self-Regulating Organization, and Qualified Person certification under NI 43-101, SK-1300, or JORC (preferred)
• Proven track record identifying underexplored Tier 1 silver/gold opportunities, securing land positions, and designing effective exploration programs
• Broad experience across the geologic domains and deposit types of the Northern Cordillera, with demonstrated expertise in VMS systems required; experience with structurally controlled silver-polymetallic vein systems a plus
• Proficiency in field mapping and systematic, hypothesis-driven geological interpretation, complemented by strong working knowledge of geochemical, geophysical, and remote sensing methods — and the ability to integrate these datasets into coherent exploration models
• Proficiency in ArcGIS, Leapfrog, ioGAS, and Microsoft Office
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities and experience preparing executive-level reports and presentations
• Self-directed, collaborative, and effective at building relationships with government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry partners, and multidisciplinary teams
• Creative problem-solver with strong geological intuition and cultural sensitivity; able to work autonomously and lead others
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, including extended rotations at remote field camps during the northern field season
• Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Must successfully pass background screening, pre-employment physical, and drug screening

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Work is performed in office and field settings.
• Work may involve walking on uneven terrain, standing for long periods, exposure to weather, and lifting up to 50 pounds over extended periods.
• Field work is in remote northern terrain, frequently accessed by helicopter or float plane, and may involve extended stays at fly-in camps with limited communications
• Conditions include cold, wet, and rapidly changing weather, difficult footing on steep or vegetated ground, and work in areas with bears and other wildlife
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in all active exploration and mining areas.
• Noise levels are generally quiet in the office; in the field and warehouse, appropriate hearing protection may be required.
• Work environments may involve exposure to dust, and use of a respirator may be required.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities to perform essential work functions.

Why Hecla

Hecla has been mining silver for more than a century and already operates in the Northern Cordillera, which makes this a rare combination: a genuinely generative mandate in a region the company knows and is committed to. Few roles let one geologist generate a target, secure the ground, and then drill it. You will have a funded program, the backing of both the Alaska exploration team and the corporate Generative group, and the standing to take a project all the way to a decision.