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Want to be a Mine Inspector?

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is looking for motivated professionals committed to ensuring the health and safety of our Nation's miners.

Why work for us? MSHA is a Federal government agency dedicated to sending Miners home safe and healthy every shift, every day. We offer:

  • Health, life, and long-term care insurance.
  • A stable retirement program, including a tax-deferred savings plan.
  • Generous annual, sick, and holiday leave.
  • A 40-hour work week.
  • Travel reimbursement.
  • Flexible spending accounts for medical and dental expenses.
  • Locality pay may apply, depending on the job location.
  • Mine Safety and Health Inspector Duties:

  • Conduct on-site inspections or investigations of underground and surface mines in order to identify potential hazardous conditions to the safety and health of workers.
  • Ensure proper mining equipment maintenance and usage.
  • Check mining performance for conformance with safety and health laws and regulations.
  • Issue citations when violations and hazards are identified.
  • Determine how accidents and disasters are caused and prevented.
  • Discuss inspection/investigation findings and provide technical support and assistance to mine management and personnel.
  • How to be considered for an Inspector position:

  • Apply to one or more of the three Mine Inspector vacancy announcements.
  • MSHA Human Resources will review your resume.
  • If qualified, MSHA will notify you of the times and locations of upcoming test sessions.
  • You must pass a math test and writing assessment (and an electrical test if you qualify for and are interested in an Electrical Inspector position).
  • Have a structured Interview.
  • MSHA Human Resources will notify you of the results.
  • MSHA is an equal opportunity employer.

    For questions regarding this program please email us at MSHA MSHAJOBS@dol.gov.

    More Information for You

  • Jobs at MSHA
  • Jobs Link

  • Employment Screening Event Schedule
  • September 2012 Recruitment Schedule (Revised 9/5/2012)
  • October 2012 Recruitment Schedule (Revised 9/10/2012)
  • November 2012 Recruitment Schedule (Revised 9/5/2012)
  • December 2012 Recruitment Schedule (Revised 8/16/2012)
  • Janaury 2013 Recruitment Schedule (Added 8/16/2012)
  • Febraury 2013 Recruitment Schedule (Added 8/13/2012)
  • March 2013 Recruitment Schedule (Added 8/16/2012)
  • April 2013 Recruitment Schedule (Added 8/13/2012)
  • May 2013 Recruitment Schedule (Added 8/13/2012)
  • June 2013 Recruitment Schedule (Added 8/13/2012)

  • Questions and Answers (Revised January 2012).
  • PDF Version.
  • Word® Version.

  • Mine Inspectors Mathematics Test Preparation Guide, January 2008.

  • Preparing an MSHA Resume
  • Mine Inspector Structured Interview Instructions
    This sheet provides instructions and general information on what to expect during the structured interview.

  • Mine Inspectors' Workbook for Writing Effective Citations, Orders and Notes.

  • Competency Model for Mine Safety Inspector/Specialist.


  • Some or all of the files available on this page are PDF.
    For more information on PDF, PDF readers and accessibility issues, please use this link.