This is the first class in the second Mined Land Reclamation Series for positions located in the Client Assistance Section in the Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR), Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME). Positions in this class provide technical assistance to industry and DMME clients, DMLR staff, local economic development boards, administer the division’s bond forfeiture program, manage grant activities, and conduct Applicant Violator System (AVS) ownership and control investigations. This class is distinguished from the Reclamation Inspector class by its technical consultative role and investigative functions with industry clients and division staff requiring considerable knowledge of mining and reclamation technology, grants, laws and regulations. It is distinguished from the Reclamation Area Supervisor class by the latter’s responsibility for direct supervision of staff.

Complexity of Work: Positions in this class perform work of moderate difficulty. Positions provide technical consultative services for the coal mining industry and division staff and also have responsibility for either bond forfeiture administration, grants management, or comprehensive AVS investigations. Positions keep up to date on new information and new technologies on coal mining and reclamation and disseminate information or resolve problems through on-site mine visits, conferences, training operator assistance bulletins, field visits, etc. Positions assigned to AVS investigation conduct extensive searches for company corporate ownership and control relationships which may link owners and controllers with past violators and block them from permit issuance nationwide. Typical duties include: locating and examining public and confidential information from federal and state records and automated systems, company records, courthouse and other local records; analyzing, evaluating and interpreting information; determining liability; preparing reports for department managers; working with the Assistant Attorney General to prepare evidence and provide expert witness testimony in administrative hearings and court cases; negotiating settlements with industry to recover moneys for penalties and bond forfeitures for the Commonwealth; and drafting settlement agreements for review of management and the AG’s office. Positions assigned to bond forfeiture administration are responsible for procurement and contract management, reclamation planning, development of technical specifications, and oversight of

construction activities. Typical duties include: procuring engineering services through competitive negotiation and construction services through competitive sealed bidding; managing engineering services contracts; supervising and directing reclamation and construction operations; approving contractual amendments and change orders; and ensuring that contractor’s total performance is in accordance with all terms and

conditions of the contract. Positions also collect bond moneys, prepare and monitor the bond forfeiture budget, authorize expenditures, and maintain bond forfeiture files and recording systems. Positions assigned to grants management are responsible for effective administration of all DMLR grants, obtaining funding for support and operation of DMLR programs, and obtaining funding as indirect cost for other operating divisions. Typical duties include: planning and developing DMLR grant applications, amendments, and reports ensuring compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations; formulating budgets, tracking status of funds; and reporting; forecasting statistical data to develop viable projections; and developing PC based data bases to produce automated reports.

Supervision Given: Supervision is not a factor. Positions may direct, monitor and evaluate the work of contractors or serve in leadership roles for assigned special projects.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from supervisor.

Scope: Work affects environmentally sound coal mining and reclamation operations statewide.

Impact of Actions: Effective job performance ensures the coal industry has up-to-date knowledge of regulations, new technology and information which positively impacts environmentally sound economic development statewide. Accurate investigative conclusions result in recovery of substantial receivables for the state from civil penalties and bond forfeitures or block past violators or their owners or controllers from obtaining coal mining permits nationwide. Timely collection of bond moneys and reclamation of bond forfeiture sites positively affects the environment and health and safety of citizens. Effective financial planning and management ensures that program objectives are met.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal contacts with state agencies to exchange information. Occasional contacts with the Assistant Attorney General to discuss sensitive information, prepare evidence for and present expert witness testimony in administrative hearings and court cases, and to obtain rulings and approvals. Frequent external contacts with mine operators, attorneys, engineers and contractors to resolve problems, avert bond forfeiture, provide information and discuss reclamation plans and specifications; with landowners and citizens to provide and obtain environmental information and handle complaints; and with attorneys to share information related to ownership and control investigations. Frequent external contacts with federal agencies to obtain and share data and interpretations; with banks and insurance companies to collect bond moneys; and with vendors/suppliers and universities to obtain information and research data on new technologies.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations affecting grants and surface coal mining and reclamation. Considerable knowledge of surface mining nd reclamation plans, methods, systems and procedures, scientific and engineering principles and construction techniques. Working knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing grants, procurement, mine safety and environmental pollution control.

Skills: Skills operating computer, engineering, scientific and video equipment.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, department policies and procedures and to evaluate reclamation plans, methods, systems and procedures. Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive ownership and control investigations and prepare reports with legally defensible determinations and conclusions. Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing, with mining industry operators and engineers, attorneys, public interest groups, general public and federal, state and local government personnel. Demonstrated ability to manage comprehensive grant programs to include budget forecasting and grant application formulation.,

QUALIFICATION GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: Valid driver’s license.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in natural sciences or related area.

Level and Type of Experience: Related mining, reclamation and conservation experience.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was redefined and retitled from the Reclamation Permits Supervisor class effective July, 1995 as a result of an agency initiated classification review/specification update.