BLASTING EXPERT

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a Blasting Expert for The Office of Mines and Minerals.  This position will implement and enforce statewide surface mine blasting programs; oversee building maintenance, monitor vehicle usage and maintenance; maintain equipment inventory, monitor telephone usage and reviews to ensure terms and conditions of building leases are followed; advise various elected officials, the regulated industry, and interested citizens on matters concerning state regulatory policies and procedures.  This 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.  We welcome qualified applicants who would like to be part of this team to apply today.

Essential Functions

• Under general direction, serves as supervisor of northern district field operations for the following statewide agency programs; the Surface-Mined Land Conservation and Reclamation Act, the Illinois Explosives Act and the Surface Coal Mining Land conservation and Reclamation Act. 
• Serves as full-line supervisor. 
• Performs duties as the northern district administrative office manager. 
• Confers with and advises management on matters concerning the northern district's field implementation of regulatory programs. 
• Assists the Division's chief technical consultant in administration of blasting and explosives training and certification programs. 
• Assists the Division's chief technical consultant with complex field studies to determine industry compliance with mandatory requirements. 
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of two years college. 
• Requires three years of progressively responsible experience, within the mining or explosives industry, and/or a mining or explosives regulatory authority. 
• Requires possession of a current, valid Illinois Blaster's License or Blaster's Certificate. 
• Requires possession of a valid, appropriate driver's license or an ability to travel. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the Surface Mined Land Conservation and Reclamation Act and the Illinois Explosives Act. 
• Thorough knowledge of explosives handling and storage, blasting operations, and blast monitoring techniques used in the mining industry. 
• Extensive knowledge of proper recordkeeping and reporting procedures. 

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities:

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. 
• 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.
• 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. 

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

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 Division is also charged with regulating blasting activities at aggregate and coal mining operations under the Surface-Mined Land Conservation and Reclamation Act and the Surface Coal Mining land Conservation and Reclamation Act. These activities include proper blast design, proper loading of a blast, and proper handling of explosives during loading and execution of blast, safety of workers and general public during loading and execution of the blast and investigation of citizen complaints due to blasting activities. There are currently 120 active aggregate and 8 active coal surface mines conducting blasting activities state-wide.