Principal Mining Engineer

• $188,723.00 per annum + superannuation
• Full Time, fixed term position until 15/7/2025
• Melbourne CBD or Geelong, or other location by negotiation, with regular work and travel requirements throughout Victoria (Hybrid working model)

Purpose

The Principal Mining Engineer manages, as part of a team, the application of the OHS (Mines) Regulations and Dangerous Goods legislation for the Earth Resources industries (mining, quarries and exploration) across Victoria and develops and implements strategies, including preventative auditing programs, to support and guide WorkSafe's Earth Resources inspectorate.

The Principal Mining Engineer is required to provide expert advice and guidance, manage a broad range of safety data, identify industry trends, develop focus areas of safety management and associated programs while drawing on specialist mining knowledge and industry experience. Mining operators, co-regulators and industry representative groups are to be continually engaged with to ensure specific legislative requirements for identifying Major Mining Hazards, assessing risk and implementing controls are achieved in accordance with industry best practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation and application of contemporary risk and outcome based technical assessment/audit programs and control requirements for prescribed mining operations, including preparing and delivering annual plans and identifying focus areas of safety management at Victorian mining operations.
• Prepare and deliver specialist advice and education on mining practices for specifying and assessing mining risks and controls for Earth Resources Program inspectors, industry operators and co-regulators, including contributing to the preparation of industry performance standards, guidelines and legislation reviews, and assessing mine operator Safety Assessments while drawing on international approaches (i.e. International Council on Mining and Metals Critical Control Management methodology).
• Develop, maintain and oversee safety performance (including data), and identify safety related trends within the Earth Resources industries, including risks and controls, incorporating information from Earth Resources Program inspectors and develop and implement systems for reporting, and incorporating findings into preventative intervention programs.
• Work collaboratively with co-regulators (state based and nationally) and other stakeholders, to review/assess risks and specify mining standards and control systems to be incorporated in mining operations, including contribution to the annual Conference of Chief Inspectors of Mines and provide specialist advice for Earth Resources Program Inspectors to inspect and audit mining operations including participating in site inspections, audits and investigations.
• Provide technical support and mining expertise to the investigation of incidents, WorkSafe Executive briefs and Mining Warden briefs involving mining and quarrying hazards, including advice on contemporary and industry accepted best practices; and provide expert witness support during WorkSafe legal proceedings.

Please ensure you take a look at the Position Description here  for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

About you

You have significant relevant technical experience and demonstrated ability to lead and influence others in implementing risk management processes in complex organisations, with detailed knowledge and technical expertise relevant to the management of earth resources hazards and risk.

You will also possess:

• A minimum of 10 years operational experience within the Earth Resources industry.
• Comprehensive understanding of mining methods applicable to Victorian mines and their unique levels of inherent risk to human health and safety.
• Experience working independently as a technical specialist and constructively within a small team of skilled professionals.
• Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation, presentation and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, conceptual and problem solving abilities.
• Highly developed computer competancy.
• Report writing and communication are of the highest standard.
• Capable of delivering on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Appropriate tertiary (i.e. bachelor’s degree) qualifications in mining engineering, civil engineering or related Engineering qualification.

The following qualifications/certifications are desirable;

• Workplace Health & Safety Management Systems Leading Auditing Qualifications.
• First Class Mine Managers Certificate of Competency (or equivalent).
• Post Graduate Risk and Critical Control Management Qualifications.

Working with Us

At WorkSafe, we aspire for every employee to feel connected, safe and valued in their team, for teams to feel valued in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be valued in the community.

We believe that a diverse workforce is the key to delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community and strongly encourage applications from all people, including First Nations people and people with disability, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, sexualities and genders.

What’s next?

Applications close 11:00pm on Friday 9th August, 2024. Click the link to apply, and join us in making a difference to Victorian lives.

You will be required to satisfactorily complete a National Police Check and/or other checks as required for the position as part of the recruitment process.

To apply for the position, you will be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident. If you hold a visa that allows you to work and you have applied for an ongoing position, you can only be considered for a fixed term period of employment that does not surpass your current visa term. 

Candidate screening may take place prior to the advertisement closing, so get your application in.

For further enquiries please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist, Rebecca McPherson via email rebecca_mcpherson@worksafe.vic.gov.au

Our future

WorkSafe's Strategy our core purpose front of mind – reducing workplace harm and improving outcomes for injured workers. We don’t shy away from the importance of our purpose to the Victorian community, that’s why we have a stated ambition to be world leading.

We want Victoria to be the safest place to work in Australia and one of the safest in the world; and we aspire to be a world leader in return to work after a workplace injury.

WorkSafe are striving to build a diverse workforce that reflects the Victorian community we serve.