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MSHA News Release: [01/24/2005]
Contact Name: Eryn Witcher or Suzy Bohnert
Phone Number: (202) 693-4647 or x9420
Release Number: 05-0106-NAT

MSHA Seeks to Hire Mine Inspectors in Pennsylvania

Applicants Should Preregister for On-Site Testing in Wilkes-Barre

ARLINGTON, Va.—The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is continuing its innovative effort to recruit replacements for its force of federal mine inspectors. The agency is using the Internet and asking those interested in careers as coal mine inspectors in several Pennsylvania locations to apply for available positions on-line before the Jan. 26, 2005, closing date.

MSHA is recruiting in Pottsville, Shamokin, and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and requesting that interested applicants apply at www.msha.gov. This process will reserve a place for the applicant at the upcoming on-site screening on Feb. 5, 2005, in Wilkes-Barre, which will be held at the Ramada Inn at 20 Public Square. Testing begins at 7:30 a.m.

Interested applicants should log on to MSHA's web site at www.msha.gov and click on the Jobs at MSHA link under the About MSHA heading. To search for jobs at MSHA, click on the agency link and then the agency name to see the list of current vacancy announcements. After selecting a specific inspector position, click on it for more details. If interested, the applicant should click the button Apply On-Line. After submitting the application, the applicant will have preregistered for the on-site applicant screening and will be notified via e-mail of the status. Those who are unable to preregister on-line may be accepted for testing as a walk-in candidate, subject to space availability.

Similar procedures can be used to apply for MSHA inspector positions in various states. See the Job Fair section on the MSHA Web site under the heading Inspector Career Intern Program for other sites.

MSHA mine inspectors not only enforce safety and health regulations at mining operations but also distribute and explain safety and training materials, evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs at mining sites, and conduct root-cause analysis of mining industry accidents.

At the on-site applicant screening sessions, applicants will be given brief math and writing tests and may be interviewed the same day. The applicants will be notified immediately of the test results, and selected candidates will participate in a two-year formal training program. Starting salaries for the inspector positions begin at approximately $40,000 annually. Applicants must be physically able to perform arduous duties.

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