2022 Mountain Operations Avalanche Technician (Temporary)
Job No:
PVG2020105185
Location:
Northwestern BC
Welcome to Newcrest!
Newcrest is one of the world's largest gold mining companies. As a global business, we aim to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported to bring their whole unique self to work.
We recognise that our different backgrounds and perspectives help us find better ways to: solve problems; attract and retain the best people; explore, develop, and produce more gold safely and profitably; and help make Newcrest a better place to work.
Following the recent acquisition of Pretivm, Newcrest now own and operate the Brucejack Mine located 65 kilometers north of the town of Stewart in northern British Columbia.
The Brucejack underground mine is one of the largest and highest-grade gold mines globally and as of January 1, 2021 has proven and probable mineral reserves of 3.9 million ounces of gold (14.4 million tonnes grading 8.3 grams per tonne gold) with a mine life of 12 years.
The Opportunity:
We currently have a number of temporary employment opportunities for a Mountain Operations Avalanche Technician in our winter 2022 seasonal Snow Removal Team supporting the success of the Surface Operations Team at the Brucejack Mine in Northwestern, British Columbia.
The Avalanche Technician will be able to work well within a team environment, have a refined knowledge in avalanche risk management and adapt that knowledge base to work within the framework established in the Brucejack Avalanche Safety Plan SOPs. Under the direction of the Mountain Operations Supervisors and Lead Hands the Avalanche Tech will assist in long and short-term strategic planning, including but not limited to management, implementation, and operation of the avalanche control program. The program mandated ensures a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities to provide a unified approach in providing safety to all stakeholders and to minimize avalanche related road closures.
The Av Tech position sets the parameters for, and ensures effective communication with management, employees and contractors regarding avalanche and general mountain hazard levels at the Brucejack project work areas and access roads.
Perform following duties, with safety being the number one priority:
- Provide support to the implementation of the Brucejack project snow avalanche hazard protection and forecasting program. Follow policies, standards and techniques related to the application and safety of avalanche, weather, and road clearing programs.
- Assist in data collection and input for the weather and avalanche input for the real-time exchange of information, and the production and dissemination of weather, road conditions and avalanche forecast information.
- Ensure the site Avalanche Safety Plan and all procedural documents and associated training are current and understood.
- Follow avalanche safety measures for road and mine site protocols, training requirements, search and rescue plans and ensure avalanche incident response protocols are understood.
- Ensure the safe and effective use of explosives and remote avalanche control devices.
- Work closely with the Brucejack ERT Coordinators to establish common response methodologies and rescue practices and cross train in disciplines like rope rescue, first aid, avalanche rescue.
- Collaborate with and provides expert guidance to staff and contractors to ensure the safety of staff and contractors on all areas impacted by avalanche and weather hazards.
- Provide maintenance and repair of all relevant equipment related to the avalanche program.
- Maintains safe working conditions. Ensure that workers are using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and inspect work areas to identify/correct possible safety hazards. Identify and implement related awareness training.
- Pass on any concerns to Supervisor regarding competency deficiencies of end users working in avalanche zones or glacier.
- Ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and performance standards
- Identify avalanche warning signs and closure gates appropriate to specific worksites
- Ensure all daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities are completed in a timely fashion
- Ensure that terrain assessments are completed for all at risk work sites or as required
- Carry out patrols. Identify, delineate, and mitigate hazards.
What we offer:
We are committed to ensuring that our team members are kept healthy and safe. To achieve this, we provide comfortable camp accommodations, as well as balanced meals prepared by our culinary team.
Team members can expect access to TV and Wi-Fi, our on-site gym, and a variety of recreational activities.
All our team members are also rewarded with a host of great benefits, including:
- Travel allowance and arrangements made for transportation to and from site
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience, skills, and qualifications
- Ongoing training with continuous growth and development opportunities
It is important to note that the safety and wellbeing of our team is our top priority. As such, we promote a drug and alcohol-free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.
About You:
- Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) Level 2 certification
- Professional member with the CAA
- Minimum five years experience as an avalanche technician. Preferable Industrial avalanche experience.
- Current Level 3 Advanced First Aid or Wilderness First Responder.
- Valid BC Blasting Certification ticket for avalanche control
- Criminal background check and Letter of Approval from NRCAN
- Association of Mountain Guides (ACMG) certification an asset.
- Rope access (IRATA) and/or rope rescue background an asset.
- Strong mountain skills, including safe travel through glaciated and complex mountain terrain. Resume showing multiple days in complex glaciated and /or avalanche terrain in a leadership or co-leadership role
- Winter survival skills. Resume showing multiple nights winter camping
- Advanced skiing skills. Able to negotiate steep complex terrain in all snow condition with poor visibility while carrying a loaded pack.
- High level of physical fitness with ability to carry/pack Rescue Gear and explosives to 25kg. Be able maintain high levels of performance over 12-hour shifts
- Experience working around helicopters
- Mountain Weather forecasting
- Avalanche Search and Rescue Advanced Skills (AvSAR)
- Introduction to Avalanche mapping an asset
- HETS training an asset
- Snowmobile operating skills an asset
- Snowcat operating skills an asset
- Strong Interpersonal and organizational skills
- Computer software skills (i.e. word processing, spreadsheets, data base management etc.)
- Thorough working knowledge of the CAA Observation Guidelines & Recording Standards
- 100 days minimum of work experience over at least two operating seasons in weather, snowpack, and avalanche occurrence observations & analysis.
- Including a minimum of 50 recorded weather observations.
- 30 recorded snow profiles and
- 30 avalanche occurrence observations.
- Ability to work at remote location (camp)
- Ability to work a 2 week rotation, working 13 x 12-hour days, 13 days off, 2 travel days
- This position is required to work both day and night shifts, based on operational needs
- Must provide personal winter apparel for extended work in extreme weather conditions
- Newcrest promotes a drug and alcohol free work environment. A mandatory pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required
- SAFETY must be your priority, Always!
Our commitment to you:
At Newcrest, we hold core values that focus on caring about people, working together, and achieving a high-performance culture through innovation and problem solving.
Newcrest’s commitment to diversity and inclusion respects both the rights of every individual to work to their highest potential, free of discrimination, as well as the cultures, religions, and governing codes applicable to each country in which we operate.
Newcrest promotes a drug and alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.
Next Steps:
If you share our values and feel that you could make a meaningful difference in this role, submit your application online before the advertised application closing date.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN EXCITING NEW CHALLENGE, JOIN NEWCREST AND THE BRUCEJACK MINE TODAY!