Sr Geotechnical Engineer (East Tennessee Mines; Strawberry Plains, TN)

Nyrstar is a global multi-metals business, with a market leading position in zinc and lead and growing positions in other base and precious metals. Nyrstar has mining, smelting and other operations located in Europe, the Americas and Australia and employs over 4,000 people. The company’s global operations are located close to key customers and major transport hubs to facilitate delivery of raw materials and distribution of finished products. In August 2019, Nyrstar’s operating business became majority owned by Trafigura, a market leader in the global commodities industry, providing a stable long-term platform for its marketing leading operations worldwide.

POSITION PROFILE

Position: Sr Geotechnical Engineer

Location: Strawberry Plains, TN

THE ROLE

The purpose of this role is to provide advanced geotechnical expertise to ensure the safe and efficient design, excavation, and support Tennessee Mines underground operations. The role develops and implements ground support strategies, conducts stability assessments, and manages ground monitoring systems to support operational safety and production efficiency.

Key Accountabilities Safety, Health, Environment and Community

- Promote and demonstrate safe behavior at all times

- Demonstrate effective performance in achieving agreed SHEC goals in support of the department, site and company standards

- Demonstrates leadership in SHEC through personal behaviors and conversations, and ensuring that the Geology team report all SHEC incidents and participate in SHEC initiatives

- Take responsibility for the safety of all personnel, including yourself, at Nyrstar Tennessee Mines

Operations

- Lead and manage underground safety and stability for stope shapes and ground support.

- Provide a geotechnical service to the mine through understanding, complying, mentoring and liaising with business partners to promote full statutory compliance with mining regulations, legislation and company safety objectives relevant to ground control.

- Collect and analyze geotechnical data, including investigation, analysis of rock fall events and ground control issues.

- Undertake daily production tasks relating to geotechnical engineering, including mine plans, drill & blasting plans, survey instructions, documentation of inspections and data collection, monitoring, analysis and QAQC.

- Actively identify and manage geotechnical risks and develop systems to monitor and manage these.

- Collaborate with the team to ensure QAQC, hazard maps &/or monitoring reports are compiled and issued when required.

- Develop and own the geotechnical processes and ensure continued adherence and implementation of best practices.

- Own and update the Ground Control Management Plan.

People and Organization

- Liaise with mine operations, geology and engineering teach in general.

- Provide technical, personal support and supervision to trainees, mine operators in ground support and other technical team members.

- Support for and adherence to the Nyrstar Values and Behavior expectations

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

- B.Sc. in Geotechnical Engineering, Geology or Related Degrees

- 3 to 5 years' experience in mining geotechnical engineering in an underground environment

- Experience with rock mass classification systems, geotechnical analysis, structural mapping, ground support designs and underground mining QA/QC programs

- Familiarization with various geotechnical and mining software packages (RS3, Leapfrog and Deswik preferred)

- Team leadership, problem solving, and excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills preferred

- Ability to work effectively as part of a team, as well as independently required

- Good practical understanding of underground mining methods

- Hydrogeology experience will be advantageous.

COMPETENCIES

- Demonstrated ability to contribute and work effectively in a group as a team leader

- Good time management and prioritization skills

- Ability to coordinate the delivery of Geotechnical processes

- Results driven achiever with exemplary planning and organization skills

- Strong communication and leadership skills

- Sound methods and approaches to persuade, convince or influence others

- Strong project management abilities

- Self-motivated, energetic and proactive

- Ability to create a climate in which people want to do their best by empowering individuals and teams and by communicating a clear vision and purpose

- Ability to research and develop new ideas

- High level of initiative, resourcefulness and personal organization

Department: Internal & External

This is a full time position