Manager Permitting - Leer Mine Complex

Posted Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 5:00 AM

The Permitting Manager will lead and oversee all regulatory permitting activities for both underground and surface coal mining operations in West Virginia. This role requires deep familiarity with state and federal mining regulations, including WVDEP processes, SMCRA , NPDES, and Corps of Engineers requirements, MSHA considerations, and environmental compliance mandates. The ideal candidate is an experienced permitting professional with proven leadership capabilities to manage, mentor, and develop a team of permitting specialists and technical staff.

• Accept, embrace, and promote CORE Natural Resources Core Values:
  Safety, Sustainability, and Continuous Improvement
• Manage the full permitting lifecycle for underground and surface coal mining projects, including new permits, revisions, renewals, and bond releases
• Oversee preparation and submission of permit applications to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), the Corps of Engineers, and other applicable agencies including additional state agencies (PADEP)
• Coordinate preparation of environmental and technical documentation (hydrogeologic studies, environmental assessments, engineering designs, maps, etc.)
• Maintain strong working relationships with regulators, consultants, and engineers
• Lead and develop a permitting team responsible for drafting, reviewing, and managing permit documents and compliance tasks
• Establish team standards, workflows, and quality control processes to ensure accuracy and timeliness in all submissions
• Allocate resources and assign responsibilities to ensure high quality execution across multiple active projects
• Work closely with engineering, operations, environmental, and land departments to gather data required for permit applications.
• Support mine planning teams by providing permitting timelines, constraints, and regulatory insight
• Represent the company in meetings with regulatory agencies, landowners, community stakeholders, and industry groups
• Develop and maintain project schedules for all permitting activities to meet operational deadlines
• Track regulatory changes that could impact permitting requirements.
• Provide operations and senior management with regular updates, risks, and recommendations
• Contribute to strategic planning related to mine development, reclamation, and long-term permitting needs

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Geology, Natural Resources, or a related field or relevant experience
• 5–10+ years of permitting experience within the coal mining industry, with direct exposure to both underground and surface mine permitting in West Virginia
• Strong knowledge of WVDEP mining programs, Corps of Engineers permitting processes, environmental compliance, and federal mining regulations
• Ability to lead, manage, and motivate a team in a fast‑paced regulatory environment
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to oversee multiple simultaneous permitting efforts
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for internal coordination and external agency engagement
• Familiarity with hydrology, geology, environmental science, and engineering concepts related to coal mining
• Proficiency in GIS, AutoCAD, or mapping software preferred
• Prior experience interacting with WVDEP permitting staff preferred
• Experience with water quality permitting, air permitting, and mitigation programs
• Office-based at the Leer Mine Complex in Grafton West Virginia
• Periodic field work and site visits to mining operations
• Occasional travel for regulatory meetings and public meetings