Operating Engineer -- Survey Party Chief

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\n Project Overview:

Thacker Pass is the largest known lithium resource in the United States. Once complete, the mine and processing facilities will produce more lithium carbonate than any other facility in the United States by far – enough to power 1 million electric vehicles per year.

As the EPCM contractor for Lithium Americas, Bechtel is responsible for managing and integrating the efforts of a team contractors engineering and building the facility. We are also managing procurement of about $1 Billion in goods and services.

Earth work began in 2023 and design and procurement of long-lead equipment is underway.

The project is located in the high desert and wide-open spaces of north-central Nevada about 25 miles from the Oregon border, 1 hour northwest of Winnemucca, Nevada and 3 hours northeast of Reno.

Planned with sustainability and the environment in mind, the facility will use its excess process heat to generate electricity and will recycle process water up to seven times. Once the second phase of the project is complete, Thacker Pass will produce more than 16 times the current U.S. output of lithium.

Bechtel is proud to play a critical role in the U.S. transition to cleaner energy and offers the following opportunity on the Thacker Pass Project.

Position Summary:

The Party Chief is responsible for directing survey operations, performing precise construction layout and data collection, and ensuring all survey work is completed safely, accurately, and in accordance with project specifications, engineering requirements, and established quality standards.

Duties:

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• Lead and supervise survey crew personnel in the performance of construction, boundary, topographic, and as-built surveys.
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• Coordinate daily survey activities to support construction operations, engineering requirements, and project schedules.
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• Operate and oversee the use of survey equipment including GPS/GNSS systems, robotic total stations, data collectors, digital levels, and laser equipment.
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• Perform construction staking and layout for roads, utilities, structures, grading, excavation, foundations, and other project features.
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• Interpret engineering plans, specifications, drawings, and survey data to establish project control points and layout information.
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• Verify horizontal and vertical control networks and ensure accuracy of all survey measurements.
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• Collect, process, and maintain field data, survey notes, and electronic records.
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• Prepare and review survey reports, sketches, calculations, and as-built documentation.
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• Identify and resolve survey discrepancies, field conflicts, and layout issues.
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• Ensure compliance with project specifications, quality standards, and surveying best practices.
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• Maintain, calibrate, and inspect survey instruments and equipment.
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• Train and mentor survey crew members and provide technical guidance as needed.
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• Promote and enforce all company, site, and regulatory safety requirements.
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• Participate in pre-task planning, safety meetings, and hazard assessments.
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Minimum Qualifications:

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• Experience performing construction surveying and layout on heavy civil, industrial, mining, or commercial projects.
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• Proficiency with GPS/GNSS equipment, robotic total stations, and survey data collection software.
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• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and coordinate systems.
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• Knowledge of surveying principles, construction staking procedures, and field calculations.
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• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
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• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and terrain conditions.
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• OSHA 10
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Preferred Qualifications:

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• Completion of an Operating Engineers apprenticeship program or equivalent surveying experience.
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• Experience with Trimble, Leica, Topcon, Carlson, or similar survey systems.
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• Knowledge of AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, or related software.
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• Experience on large-scale infrastructure, mining, industrial, or renewable energy projects.
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