Mine Safety Specialist
International Minerals Carlsbad LLC is seeking a Mine Safety Specialist to support occupational health and safety programs at its Carlsbad mining operation. This position works directly with employees, contractors, supervisors, and operational leaders to identify hazards, manage operational risk, strengthen safe work practices, and support compliance with applicable regulations and company policies.
The ideal candidate brings industrial or mining safety experience, a strong working knowledge of occupational health and safety requirements, and the ability to coach employees and influence safe behaviors throughout both surface and underground operations.
Essential Responsibilities
- Maintain a visible presence in the field and engage employees in conversations about active work, potential hazards, and safe work practices.
- Perform workplace inspections, observations, and risk assessments to identify and mitigate safety concerns.
- Serve as a safety resource and point of contact for questions involving workplace conditions, regulatory requirements, company safety rules, and IMC management systems.
- Identify and address unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, and potential compliance concerns promptly and appropriately.
- Keep management and supervisors informed of safety concerns and help develop action plans to resolve identified issues.
- Support incident investigations by gathering evidence, interviewing involved parties, and maintaining associated documentation.
- Coordinate and facilitate incident investigations after completing the required training.
- Monitor investigation action items and verify that corrective actions are completed and properly documented.
- Participate in safety reviews conducted through the Management of Change process.
- Prepare lessons learned, safety shares, shift-start communications, and other safety-related materials.
- Present safety information during crew meetings and ensure relevant lessons are communicated across the operation.
- Review, develop, and update job-specific safety plans, site safety procedures, and safe work instructions.
- Coordinate site preparations for regulatory inspections and assist with field tours involving regulatory representatives.
- Gather information and prepare draft responses to regulatory questions for review by senior health and safety leadership.
- Partner with Operations and safety leadership to develop and implement actions addressing regulatory concerns.
- Prepare requisitions and maintain appropriate levels of safety equipment and supplies.
- Develop, coordinate, and deliver task-specific health and safety training for employees and contractors.
- Coordinate and facilitate safety orientations for new employees and contractors.
- Support the facility’s environmental, health, and safety management-system activities.
- Provide safety oversight in the absence of the site safety leader when assigned.
- Mentor hourly health and safety coordinators and provide guidance regarding safety processes, procedures, and risk-control techniques.
- Perform other safety-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED with at least three years of related experience as a safety professional in an industrial or mining environment; or
- Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or an equivalent field.
- Working knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations.
- Ability to work safely and comfortably within an active surface and underground mining environment.
- Ability to apply current regulatory and company requirements to site operations.
- Ability to coach and influence employees effectively, including when working without direct supervisory authority.
- Ability to communicate professionally with employees, contractors, supervisors, operational leaders, and regulatory representatives.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately to changing operational conditions.
- Strong attention to detail, documentation, and follow-through.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Basic understanding of databases and electronic recordkeeping systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting both surface and underground mining operations, with an emphasis on underground mining experience.
- Experience facilitating root cause analysis investigations.
- Formal facilitation or root cause analysis training.
- Certified Safety Professional or Certified Mine Safety Professional designation.
- Experience developing and delivering safety training for employees and contractors.
- Experience supporting regulatory inspections, incident investigations, and corrective-action programs.
- Candidates who do not hold a professional safety designation at the time of hire may be expected to establish an approved plan to obtain the applicable designation within a timeframe acceptable to the hiring manager, not to exceed two years.
Work Environment
This position is based on site at IMC’s Carlsbad mining operation and requires regular interaction with employees in surface and underground operational areas. The Mine Safety Specialist must be able to work safely in mining and industrial environments and comply with all required personal protective equipment, training, and site-access requirements.
International Minerals Carlsbad LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.