BLM Engineers

Mining Engineering

GS-0880

Position Overview

Part of the Department of the Interior’s mission is to manage America’s natural resources. DOI’s mining engineers achieve this goal by conducting examinations and assessments of solid mineral mines and infrastructure. Mining engineers provide regulation of mining activities to ensure environmental protection. Mining engineers apply their scientific expertise to ensure mining activities are carried out safely and successfully.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate possesses a comprehensive knowledge of surface and underground mining engineering practices (e.g., explosives engineering, rock mechanics, ventilation), can conduct evaluations and complex scientific studies, and is able to communicate technical advice effectively.

Work Environment

Work is normally performed indoors in an office setting with observational work at mines or materials processing facilities. In field or regional offices, mining engineers perform field work to provide technical assistance to mine operators and perform field study and permit compliance activities. Headquarters staff coordinate special projects among regional and field offices related to national objectives and provide technical assistance to agency directors or congressional staff.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Professional and Scientific Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Learns about specific agency mining processes
    • Observes field mining methods, practices, and equipment at specific mines
    • Reviews and verifies implementation of approved mining plans and reclamation schedules
    • Provides technical assistance to other engineers

  • Mid:

    • Conducts mine planning and economic investigations for solid mineral resources, such as coal or phosphates
    • Monitors mine production methods and rates to assess operational effectiveness and impacts on estimated reclamation costs
    • Investigates and predicts environmental or structural impacts that could occur as a result of mining operations
    • Examines maps, deposits, drilling locations, or mines to determine the location, size, accessibility, contents, value, and potential profitability of mineral, oil, gas, and geothermal resources
    • Reviews proposed mining disturbance and reclamation schedules; Verifies economics of mining process for royalties and fees

  • Journey:

    • Identifies technological, engineering, and other factors that could affect the costs, safety, and environmental impacts of coal, hard rock, surface, solution, or underground mining
    • Directs mine planning and economic investigations for solid mineral resources, such as coal or phosphates
    • Writes, reviews, and edits technical and scientific reports on mine plans, analysis methods, calculation of resource value, or posted reclamation performance bonds
    • Writes review, environmental, and permit documents

  • Senior:

    • Provides expertise in mine or geotechnical engineering, mineral economics, exploration, recovery, processing, marketing, environmental and social impacts, reclamation, and decommissioning assistance to Federal and state governments, academia, and private business
    • Performs or oversees evaluations
    • Oversees documentation, evaluation, or approval of mine engineering and reclamation permits

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Strengths by Level

Entry 7
Mid 9-11
Journey 12-13
Senior 14
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Influencing/Negotiating
    Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Learning
    Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Organizational Awareness
    Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Project Management
    Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Resilience
    Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Teaching Others
    Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

50%
20%

Miscellaneous Administration and Program

See Position Details
10%

Civil Engineering

See Position Details

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