Instructor Information

Promoting sustainable resource management and environmental conservation is paramount in today's era.

The SMCRA Technical Training Programs serve to support the mission of OSMRE by ensuring:

• coal mining is conducted in a manner that protects communities and the environment during mining
• land is restored to beneficial use following mining
• the harmful environmental and health effects of past coal mining are mitigated by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned mine lands (AMLs).

The in-person training program trains approximately 600 students annually through 40 courses.

Selected volunteers will attend the Instructor Training Course and serve as course observers at least once before delivering course material.

Encouraging employees to volunteer as instructors for the OSMRE National Technical Training and the Technical Innovation and Professional Services Programs offers a myriad of benefits not just to the environment, but also to the supervisors, the organization, and the employees themselves. Here are the benefits:

• Skill Enhancement: Encouraging employees to become Volunteer Instructors provides them with an avenue to refine their existing skills and acquire new ones, particularly in the areas of public speaking, leadership, and networking. This can be especially beneficial for employees seeking to grow within the organization.
• Employee Morale and Job Satisfaction: Employees who are given the opportunity to contribute to a cause they're passionate about often report higher levels of job satisfaction. Such initiatives can bolster organizational loyalty, reduce turnover, and increase overall morale within teams.
• Diversified Experience: Employees involved in volunteer programs get exposed to different environments, challenges, and people than they would in their routine jobs. This diversified experience can breed creativity and fresh perspectives which, when brought back to the workplace, can drive innovation and efficiency.
• Networking: By allowing staff to participate in such programs, organizations indirectly facilitate access to an expansive professional network. These connections can lead to collaborative projects, partnerships, or other opportunities beneficial for both the employee and the organization.
• Risk Mitigation: By promoting responsible mining practices and land reclamation, organizations indirectly reduce the potential risks associated with irresponsible mining. Educating professionals and communities on best practices can prevent future liabilities.
• Long-Term Organizational Growth: When employees grow and evolve through such volunteering roles, they inevitably bring that growth back to the organization. Their newly acquired knowledge, skills, and perspectives can inspire new projects, improve existing processes, or open avenues for collaboration.

Encouraging employees to serve as Volunteer Instructors for OSMRE is a win-win situation for all involved. The employees grow professionally and personally, the environment benefits from increased advocacy and education, and the organization grows both in reputation and through the enhanced skills and perspectives of its staff. It's a small investment for a multitude of long-term returns!

Instructors with the National Technical Training Program impact nationwide environmental stewardship, affect the industry, connect with others in the field, join a community, and have flexible training schedules!

Instructor Responsibilities: 

• instruct workshops within your area of expertise
• collaborate with other instructors and subject matter experts 
• assist creating educational materials and resources 
• participate in mining and reclamation site field visits 
• be available 2-3 non-consecutive weeks per year 

Instructor Qualifications: 

• strong commitment to the environment 
• good communication and presentation skills 
• willingness to learn and adapt to new information 
• ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people 
• supervisors' concurrence to participate in this OSMRE-funded program 

Instructor Gains: 

• Skill Enhancement- Instructors learn communication skills, public speaking, leadership, and gain networking opportunities. 
• Diversified Experience- Instructors are exposed to new environments, challenges, and people. Diversified experiences can breed creativity and fresh perspectives, driving innovation and efficiency. 
• Long-Term Organizational Growth- Instructor growth brings forth organizational growth. Newly acquired knowledge, skills, and perspectives can inspire new projects, improve existing processes, or open avenues for collaboration. 

Responsibilities:

As a Volunteer Instructor with OSMRE, you will have a diverse range of responsibilities, including:

• Conducting educational workshops and training on surface mining and reclamation practices based upon your area of expertise.
• Collaborating with other instructors and subject matter experts, assisting in the development of educational materials and resources.
• Participating in field visits to mining and reclamation sites.

Qualifications:

We welcome individuals from various backgrounds who are passionate about environmental stewardship. While specific qualifications may vary, the ideal Volunteer Instructor possesses:

• A strong commitment to environmental conservation.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• A willingness to learn and adapt to new information.
• The ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Supervisors’ concurrence to participate in this centrally funded program, delivering course curriculum or participate in redesign/redevelopment meetings no more than twice each annual training cycle.

Join Us Today:

If you're ready to be a part of a team dedicated to preserving our natural resources and promoting responsible mining practices, we invite you to apply for the Volunteer Instructor position. Your dedication and expertise can help shape a more sustainable future for generations to come.

To apply or learn more about this exciting opportunity, please visit our webpage or contact our recruitment team at osm-nttp@osmre.gov. Together, we can make a difference in the world of surface mining reclamation and enforcement. Join OSMRE and be the change our environment needs!