Location:
Enlow/Harvey
Supports the Maintenance Manager and maintenance leadership in planning, directing, and coordinating mine maintenance activities. The role helps ensure a safe work environment, reliable equipment performance, efficient use of labor and materials, regulatory compliance, controlled maintenance costs, and high equipment availability. The Assistant Master Mechanic provides day-to-day direction to maintenance employees and coordinates closely with operations, safety, engineering, planning, warehouse, and mine management.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in planning and directing preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities for underground and surface-supported mine equipment, power distribution, and related facilities.
- Coordinate daily maintenance priorities and work schedules across shifts based on production needs, equipment condition, workforce availability, and safety requirements.
- Provide day-to-day direction to maintenance employees; assign work, communicate expectations, monitor progress, and help resolve operating or personnel issues.
- Review shift reports, examination books, equipment logs, work orders, inspection findings, and other records to maintain current awareness of equipment status and follow-up needs.
- Help maximize equipment availability and minimize downtime by identifying maintenance constraints, coordinating repairs, and developing practical maintenance plans with operations and maintenance leadership.
- Ensure electrical and mechanical maintenance work is completed in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, company policies, approved procedures, and performance standards.
- Conduct workplace and equipment inspections; identify unsafe or hazardous conditions and initiate prompt corrective action. Support pre-shift reviews and employee safety meetings as assigned.
- Develop, communicate, and reinforce safe job procedures. Inspect tools and equipment for safe condition and promote the company's safety processes and expectations.
- Coordinate maintenance response when roof conditions, equipment failures, power distribution issues, or other conditions disrupt normal production plans.
- Assist with maintenance of power distribution systems and related infrastructure, including substations and pumping systems, as applicable to the assigned operation.
- Recommend equipment repair, replacement, modification, or fabrication solutions based on equipment condition, reliability, safety, operating needs, and cost effectiveness.
- Coordinate with warehouse and supply personnel on parts availability, requisitions, warranty matters, core recovery, and the procurement and distribution of equipment and supplies.
- Ensure maintenance work is properly documented and that required maintenance records, maps, logs, and supporting information are retained and accurate.
- Use the company maintenance management system and standard business applications to monitor work, equipment history, parts, schedules, and completion status.
- Work with maintenance and mine leadership to identify performance objectives, monitor results, and lead or support continuous improvement and reliability initiatives.
- Assist with staffing coordination, employee training, skills development, performance feedback, corrective action, conflict resolution, and employee communications in partnership with management and Human Resources.
- Communicate maintenance schedules, operating changes, equipment status, and company policies and procedures to supervisors and employees.
- Perform the duties of the Master Mechanic or designated maintenance leader when assigned and qualified.
SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE EXPECTATIONS
- Maintain safety as the highest operating priority and model safe work practices in all decisions and activities.
- Ensure assigned work complies with MSHA requirements, applicable state mining laws, company policies, and site-specific procedures.
- Participate in investigations, corrective-action follow-up, inspections, and safety improvement efforts as assigned.
- Maintain required certifications and qualifications and immediately communicate conditions that could affect employee safety, equipment safety, or legal compliance.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Regularly interacts with the Master Mechanic or Maintenance Manager, General Manager, Mine Manager, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Mine Foremen, Shift and First-Line Foremen, Safety personnel, engineers, maintenance planners and coordinators, electricians, mechanics, warehouse and supply personnel, Human Resources, and other mine employees to coordinate safe and effective maintenance operations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or GED.
- Progressive underground mine maintenance experience involving electrical and/or mechanical equipment. The specific experience threshold will be established by Human Resources and site management based on operational needs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of underground coal mining operations, maintenance practices, equipment usage, safety requirements, and applicable federal and state mining laws.
- Prior experience directing work, leading employees, or serving in a maintenance supervisory capacity.
- Effective verbal and written communication, organization, planning, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Basic computer proficiency, including word processing, spreadsheets, and maintenance management or enterprise systems.
- Ability to work across shifts and respond to urgent maintenance needs, as required by the operation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Technical degree in electrical or mechanical technology, or a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or mining engineering or a related field.
- Applicable mine foreman, electrician, fire boss, mine rescue, first aid, or EMT certification.
- MSHA electrical qualification and applicable state mine electrician certification.
- Experience with computerized maintenance management systems, reliability-based maintenance programs, industrial controls, programming, or computer networking.
- Experience supporting continuous improvement, equipment reliability, workforce development, and cost-control initiatives.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This position works in and around an active mining operation and may be exposed to underground and surface mine conditions, moving equipment, uneven walking surfaces, noise, dust, temperature changes, and other conditions typical of the assigned work environment. The employee must be able to access work areas, inspect equipment and facilities, communicate effectively, and use required personal protective equipment. Site-specific physical requirements will be confirmed through the company's job analysis and HR review.