STATE MINE INSPECTOR

Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Equality (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking a State Mine Inspector to exercise independent judgement, monitor operations, and approve mine reopenings. The role includes investigating accidents, filing inspection reports, and responding to mine emergencies.

The position requires strong knowledge of mining laws and safety procedures. The office of Mines and Minerals offers challenging field work, on-call duties, and opportunities to train and certify mine personnel.

Qualifications

• Requires completion of four years of high school.
• Applicant must be at least 30 years of age.
• Ten years of mining experience in underground mines, with at least two years in Illinois.
• Valid Illinois certificate as a State Mine Inspector.
• Valid Illinois certificate as a Mine Manager.
• Illinois citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as department's primary mine rescue coordinator for a designated geographic region.
• Inspect mines for hazardous conditions to which workers are or might be subjected.
• Conduct training courses for mine employees preparing for state certification.
• Enforce prescribed rules and regulations of rescue station operations.
• Respond to emergency events involving rescue and recovery of mine personnel.
• Perform other duties within the scope of the enumerated duties.

Skills

Age requirement

Mined experience

Illinois certification

Citizenship

Leadership experience

Education

High school diploma

Job description

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents -> Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Date: Aug 13, 2026

Location: Equality, IL, US, 62934

Job Requisition ID: 58016

Job Requisition ID: 58016
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 08/27/2026
Agency: Department of Natural Resources
Class Title: STATE MINE INSPECTOR - 42230
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,460 a month; Full Salary Range $6,460 - $9,337 a month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Saline
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code: N/A
This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a State Mine Inspector for The Office of Mines and Minerals. This position will exercise independent judgement to suspend mining operations when violations are noted or miners’ safety is not in compliance with the Coal Mining Act, monitor operations to ensure remediation and approve the reopening of the mines, determine the nature and cause of fatal and non-fatal accidents, file inspection reports to ensure that they are available for State Mining Board review, and serve in an on call capacity to respond to mine emergencies, maintain mine rescue stations and mine rescue teams to respond to mine disasters or emergencies. We welcome interested applicants who would like to be part of this team to apply today.

Essential Functions

• Subject to administrative direction, serves as department's primary mine rescue coordinator for a designated geographic region.
• Inspects mines for hazardous conditions to which workers are or might be subjected.
• Conducts training courses for mine employees preparing for state certification.
• Enforces prescribed rules and regulations of rescue station operations.
• Responds to emergency events involving the rescue and recovery of mine personnel.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of high school.
• Requires that applicant must be at least 30 years of age.
• Requires ten years of mining experience in underground mine, of which at least two years shall have been in the State of Illinois.
• Requires valid Illinois certificate as a State Mine Inspector.
• Requires valid Illinois certificate as a Mine Manager.
• Requires Illinois Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the Coal Mining Act.
• Thorough knowledge of mine ventilation, mine atmospheric conditions and their disposition.
• Thorough knowledge of the geology of coal, stone, clay and fluorspar as they pertain to Illinois.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mine rescue programs, requirements and procedures.
• Two (2) years of experience in the ability to generate routine special reports.
• Two (2) years of experience exercising excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Illinois electrical certification.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience in the mining industry.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver's license and the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to serve as an instructor for mine rescue and mine certification courses.
• Requires the ability to obtain a valid Mine Safety and Health Administration Instructor card with mine rescue emphasis.
• Requires ability to perform arduous physical labor and make rapid decisions.
• Requires serving in an on-call capacity, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Requires residing within one hour of the mine rescue station due to emergency response requirements.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.

Agency and Division Statement

DNR Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois' natural resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs; flexible/remote work schedules may be available for certain positions.

Office of Mines and Minerals

The Office of Mines and Minerals (OMM) is comprised of four divisions: Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation, Mine Safety and Training, and Blasting, Explosives and Aggregate Reclamation. Within these divisions, the office:

• regulates the mining industry throughout the State of Illinois,
• regulates the possession, use, and storage of explosives,
• and enforces various acts which govern the mining industry.

In addition, the office is charged with ensuring the health and safety of the thousands of mine workers through the Mine Safety and Training Division, and through administering the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation program, provides reclamation ensuring public and environmental safety from abandoned mine sites.

Work Hours

Monday - Friday 6:00am - 2:00pm

Headquarter Location

1210 Tipple Road, Carrier Mills, IL

Work County

Saline

Agency Contact

Vicky Fowler

Email

[e-mail]

Phone

217-785-5387

Posting Group

Environmental & Natural Resources

Revolving Door

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

Statement Of Economic Interest

This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

Nearest Major Market: Carbondale