Geotechnical Instrumentation Technologist

Under the direction of the Chief Geotechnical Engineer, the Geotechnical Instrumentation Technologist is a hands-on technical role supporting ground control, seismic hazard management, and underground stability monitoring at Lucky Friday Mine.  Primary responsibilities include maintaining and expanding the ESG seismic monitoring network and advancing non-seismic instrumentation programs - both of which are critical to mine safety and production.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. 

Instrumentation – Installation, Maintenance, and Monitoring

• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot seismic sensors and associated hardware within underground microseismic monitoring networks; perform routine system health checks, identify degraded channels, and verify trigger thresholds and recording parameters.
• Install, program, and troubleshoot Campbell Scientific dataloggers for non-seismic geotechnical data acquisition; support additional monitoring platforms for data acquisition and quality assurance as required.
• Install and maintain geotechnical monitoring instruments including convergence stations, Multi-Point Borehole Extensometers (MPBX), piezometers, inclinometers, crackmeters, tiltmeters, and strain gauges in accordance with engineering specifications; prepare boreholes as required for instrument installation.
• Perform zero-setting, periodic readings, calibration, and data validation across all instrument types; decommission and document retired instruments as directed.
• Assist with ground support quality control by performing rock bolt pull tests, installing and reading instrumented rock bolts and load cells, and flagging anomalous trends for review by supervising engineers.

Data Management and Reporting

• Collect, record, and perform quality control checks on instrument data; escalate readings outside expected ranges for review and interpretation by the supervising geotechnical engineering team.
• Maintain accurate as-built records of instrument installations, including borehole logs, installation depths, sensor serial numbers, and baseline readings.
• Prepare field data sheets and instrument condition reports for review by supervising engineers.
• Assist engineers in compiling monitoring datasets for ground control plan compliance reporting and seismic hazard assessments.

General

• The Geotechnical Instrumentation Technologist works under the direct supervision of and in support of licensed Professional Engineers within Hecla Mining's Geotechnical Engineering group. All field work, instrument installations, and monitoring data are reviewed, coordinated, and interpreted by the supervising engineering team. Engineering judgments regarding ground control, excavation stability, and seismic hazard assessment remain the sole responsibility of the supervising Professional Engineers.
• Follow and enforce all site health, safety, and ground control procedures applicable to underground hard rock mining environments.
• Coordinate instrumentation work with mine operations and the geotechnical engineering team to minimize production impacts.
• Maintain instrument inventory, calibration records, and spare parts stock.
• Participate in development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Post-secondary diploma or certifications in Computer Engineering Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, or a closely related discipline (minimum two years of post-secondary study from an accredited institution) or equivalent qualifications.
• 5 or more years of progressive experience in geotechnical instrumentation, seismic monitoring, or electronic field instrumentation in underground mining or civil/geotechnical engineering environments.
• Demonstrated theoretical knowledge of geophysics and engineering principles as applied to rock mass behavior, seismic wave propagation, and instrumentation response.
• Experience with ESG seismic monitoring systems (hardware installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting) strongly preferred.
• Experience with Campbell Scientific dataloggers and Canary Systems monitoring software an asset.
• Familiarity with MPBX, piezometers, convergence monitoring systems, crackmeters, and instrumented rock bolt systems (e.g., MDT, Yieldpoint, Roctest, Geokon, RST).
• The successful candidate will bring a strong foundation in geophysics and instrumentation principles and apply that knowledge to real-world challenges in an active deep hard rock mining environment.