The Walnut Creek Coal Mine is a prominent surface coal mine featuring state-of-the-art equipment, including an 80-cubic-yard dragline, a 29-cubic-yard mass excavator, a 24-cubic-yard hydraulic backhoe, and a fleet of 150-ton end-dump trucks. The Walnut Creek Mine is a captive lignite operation with an impressive capacity, producing over 2 million tons of lignite annually. Additionally, the mine operates a blending program to ensure consistent quality lignite for fueling a 308-megawatt power plant.
Opportunity Summary
The Mine Safety and Environmental Coordinator is responsible for fostering and maintaining the NAES safety culture at the Walnut Creek Mine by developing and enforcing safety and environmental compliance protocols. This role demands an in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements, particularly MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) standards, as well as a strong background in risk management. Key responsibilities include implementing safety and environmental initiatives, ensuring regulatory compliance, delivering training to employees and contractors, and managing the company’s safety programs. This position plays a crucial role in shaping safety practices across the organization and requires a strategic, proactive approach.
Primary Duties
Your scope of responsibility as Mine Safety and Environmental Coordinator will include the following primary functions:
Partner with management to develop, enhance, and lead new miner training programs while providing site-specific safety training resources. Manage the Part 48 Training compliance program and leverage data analytics to identify and design new training opportunities. Develop and deliver on-site safety training for contractors, mine teams, and customers, while continuously innovating and improving processes. Identify and implement alternative training resources as needed. Confidently handle complex safety situations with empathy and high competence. Champion the integration of the Safety Jackpot Program, actively promoting safety principles. Conduct near-miss and injury investigations and participate in site safety inspections. Analyze site inspection data to identify trends and drive improvements at both site and regional levels. Mentor others in leading Root Cause Analysis (RCA) teams and processes. Present RCA findings to leadership teams and implement Best Management Practices. Recognize and address longstanding behaviors, both positive and negative, to foster continual improvement. Interpret and influence the outcome of citations, using knowledge of site-specific conditions, historical data, and hazard trends to guide discussions with MSHA. Maintain essential record-keeping and ensure contractor compliance with regulatory, insurance, and company standards. Mentor and coach mine personnel on safety, regulatory compliance, recordkeeping, and adherence to company standards. Assist the environmental manager in collecting weekly, quarterly, and annual water and soil samples, as well as monitoring soil sample statuses and the condition of disturbance and permit boundaries. Frequently interact with individuals, maintaining a positive demeanor while ensuring strict adherence to all safety and environmental protocols.NAES Safe
Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.
Working Relationships
The Mine Safety and Environmental Coordinator position reports to Mine Safey Manager, and coordinates with all other personnel on matters relating to the safe operation of the Walnut Creek Coal Mine.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
This position can be physically demanding while working frequently in an outdoor environment in a variety of weather and working conditions. Must be able to work in heat and cold, i.e., full sun where temperatures can be triple digits, or no sun where temperatures can be below freezing. In addition to extreme weather conditions, other physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing, lifting up to 50 pounds, bending and working in confined spaces.
Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing and lifting up to 50 pounds. Protective equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, hearing protection, steel toe boots, etc.). Work with hazardous materials may be required. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.
Fitness for Duty
All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening.
Work Schedule
Regular workdays are from Monday to Friday, within standard dayshift hours. However, the position may necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and mine conditions. Periodic callouts may also be necessary as part of the role. Some travel may be involved to participate in Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.
Compensation
Initial starting compensation will range from $79,800 to $95,800 and will include an annual performance bonus.
Job Qualifications
A High School Diploma or GED is required, with a Bachelor's degree in Safety Management, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field preferred. Preferred certifications, including the MSHA Blue Card – MSHA Approved (IS) Instructor, MSHA Surface Certified, MSHA Dust Certification – Gravimetric Sampling, as well as CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications, are highly valued. Demonstrated leadership in safety and industry management, leveraging deep knowledge of MSHA Part 48 regulations, industry best practices, and risk mitigation strategies, with a proven track record in optimizing safety protocols across industrial-scale mining operations. Comprehensive expertise in safety and regulatory compliance, specializing in MSHA Part 48 and OSHA standards, with a focus on implementing proactive risk management frameworks and driving continuous improvement in workplace safety culture. Proven ability to develop and deliver effective safety training programs for diverse audiences, including employees and contractors. Proficient in conducting incident investigations, hazard analyses, and risk assessments to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Experience with Microsoft Office and other data analysis tools. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with all levels of personnel and regulatory agencies. Demonstrated leadership skills, with a track record of promoting a culture of safety and continuous improvement within an organization. Must possess a valid and unrestricted driver's license, ensuring it remains in good standing at all times.About NAES
NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.
NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.