Sr. Specialist Land, Permitting & Regulatory

POSITION PURPOSE: 

The purpose of the Sr. Specialist of Land, Permitting & Regulatory Affairs role is to support management functions related to land tenure and the legal and social license to operate the mine. Land use authorizations and environmental permits are complex, often interrelated and require careful technical administration. Regulations are dynamic and changes can threaten the business or require significant modification of mining operations and must be closely monitored. The Sr. Specialist of Land, Permitting & Regulatory Affairs manages projects involving stakeholder groups including federal and state land management and regulatory agencies, private land holders and lessees where the company’s private property, right to operate, and reputation are in focus. In-depth support is provided to the corporate leadership on a variety of matters from permitting to mining claims, risk management, liability forecasting, and sustainability reporting. The role will provide strategic, site-based expertise on a wide range of land and permitting matters. The role requires close coordination with the mine’s senior leadership team and the Environmental Superintendent, Sr. Advisor of ESG & Sustainability and promotes the company through intentional engagement with stakeholder groups. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Land Management

• Possesses working knowledge of legal property boundary surveys.
• Administers unpatented mining claims.
• Possesses working knowledge of lessor/lessee relationships with private.
• Implements projects involving land acquisition or lease, relocation of third-party infrastructure on mine private property.
• Supports Corporate projects related to exploration and enhancement of mine asset land tenement.

Permitting

• Liaises with site personnel and consultants to develop and maintain closure, post-closure and reclamation cost estimates for ADEQ Aquifer Protection Permit, ASMI Mined Land Reclamation Plan, and USFS Mining Plan of Operations.
• Develops mine closure and reclamation planning and budget forecasting tools in coordination with Mine Operations, external consultants and Corporate Finance.
• Contributes to end of mine closure, reclamation, and post-closure care and asset retirement obligation forecasts.
• Provides training to facility staff regarding land, permitting and regulatory topics as needed.
• Works closely with the Environmental Superintendent to ensure permits for future mine-plan changes, expansions, process changes, etc. are vetted and can be implemented once issued.
• Collaborates on strategies to support mine plans with timely delivery of land use authorizations and environmental permits.
• Liaises with federal and state agencies on all land and permitting-related matters (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona Department of Agriculture, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, Arizona State Mine Inspectors Office, etc.).
• Works with regulators during permit negotiations and site visits.
• Develops expertise in land, air, water and waste management permits related to mining operations.
• Compiles, organizes, develops and manages systems to maintain compliance with complex regulatory programs (e.g. Arizona Department of Water Resources statement of claimants and water rights, Federal Communications Commission radio licenses, etc.).

Regulatory Affairs

• Maintains knowledge of current, impending, and proposed regulations that may present threats or opportunities to Capstone’s interests, communicates risks and benefits to Manager of Health, Safety & Environmental.
• Participates in the development and implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) & Sustainability projects and initiatives.

Reporting

• Prepares and presents monthly, quarterly, and annual program updates and status reports for senior management.
• Maintains detailed project records, develops and delivers project summaries and presentation materials as required.
• Contributes on sustainability projects and development of the company’s corporate sustainability reports and disclosure obligations.

General

• Works in compliance with all site and MSHA safety guidelines and procedures.
• Works in compliance with all company Policies & Procedures.
• Ensures that contractors are competent to execute the tasks / jobs assigned.
• Demonstrates support of the company’s values: Safety, Accountable, Excellence, Caring.
• Oversee contractors, prepares scopes of work, requests for proposal, evaluates proposals, works with purchasing to obtain contracts and manages contracts and costs related to land management, permitting and regulatory affairs.
• Participates in strategic business planning and budget development for role-related programs such as land management and capital projects related to permitting.
• Tracks and reports on cost variance against budget.
• Represents the company in trade association(s) meetings and activities, preferrable in a leadership capacity.
• As a member of the Health, Safety & Environmental team, performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge  

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental or natural science/engineering-related field.
• Master’s degree in business administration, environmental policy, regulatory affairs, legal studies preferred, or relevant experience.
• Experience leading research and analysis of complex scientific data, minimum five years.
• Prior supervisory experience required, minimum five years.
• Five or more years of mining experience highly preferred.

Key Competencies / Skills 

• Ability to work independently in a time sensitive environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and effectively communicate to employees and management.
• Experience developing information and making presentations to groups and individuals.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficient computer skills (e.g., MS Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, SAP).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The majority of the work performed by this position is conducted in an office environment; however frequent trips to engage with consultants and regulatory agencies and company site personnel will be required.
• Remote work arrangements and schedules, if offered, are to be worked out with immediate supervisor / direct report.
• The nature of this position does occasionally require participation and attendance at off-hours meetings and company / community service / social events.