Field Operations - Aviation

About the Company

The mining industry has steadily become worse at finding new ore deposits, requiring >10X more capital to make discoveries compared to 30 years ago. The easy-to-find, near-surface deposits have largely been found, and the industry has chronically under-invested in new exploration technology, relying on the manual techniques of yesteryear – even as demand accelerates for copper, lithium, and other metals to build electric vehicles, renewable energy, and data centers.

KoBold builds AI models for mineral exploration and deploys those models—alongside our novel sensors—to guide decisions on KoBold-owned-and-operated exploration programs. In the six years since founding, KoBold has become by far both the largest independent mineral exploration company and the largest exploration technology developer. Our data scientists and software engineers, who come from leading technology companies, jointly lead exploration programs with our renowned exploration geologists.

KoBold has proven its first discovery with materially less capital than the industry average and found one of the best copper deposits ever discovered: the copper is far more concentrated than the global average of copper mines, and this asset alone is expected to generate meaningful revenue for decades. KoBold has a portfolio of more than 60 other projects, each of which has the potential for another high-quality discovery.

About the Position

If you’re passionate about aviation and good under pressure, an aviation career in exploration and mining might suit you. If you have strong communication and interpersonal skills, a high attention to detail, especially in a time sensitive environment, an aptitude for analytical work and thinking critically and confidence and decisiveness in complex regulatory frameworks you should consider applying for this job.

In the role of Aviation Operations Lead, you will help plan and execute our flight-based field operations, to meet our business objectives without causing harm to our people, our contractors and partners, or the communities and environments where we operate. You will report to our VP of Field Operations and work closely with the COO, the HSE Director, the leaders for our field programs, and other members of the operations team. Responsibilities

The Aviation Operations Lead will be responsible for:

• Compliance: Understand applicable aviation laws and regulations in our worldwide jurisdictions and know industry best practices to ensure KoBold and KoBold contactors meet them in all operating areas.  Create a KoBold aviation standard including defining pre-qualification criteria for vendors based on past performance to meet KoBold standards

• Field Service and Aviation Contractors: Identify potential contract aviation candidates, execute comparative analysis/evaluate, recommend contract awards, and manage aviation contractors and vendors to support a wide range of KoBold operations (field operations; camp construction, helicopter transport, aerial surveys, deployment of custom equipment, emergency medical services among others) in global theaters

• Aviation HSE:  Provide knowledgeable supervision of aviation safety audits and implementation of corrective measures. Apply Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) for risk management of contracted aviation activities.

• Operations Control Center: Maintain daily contact with and monitor the status of KoBold personnel and contractors while in the field. Maintain close communication with aviation staff and close coordination with Project Geologist, Project Data Scientist, and other KoBold staff

• Reporting: Execute and maintain KoBold’s system for tracking health & safety incidents and provide periodic reporting. Define and track aviation specific KPIs.

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• Sensor configuration: For a subset of operations, we will be deploying custom KoBold-owned sensors for aerial survey, ground survey, and/or hardware testing. Manage sensor configuration and retrieve data from the systems.

• Logistics: Arrange for the shipment of equipment and material to and from KoBold’s project sites

• Local Management: Deploy to remote project locations as required to implement and manage programs

• Process Improvement: Creating ways of working that allow us to continue to work more effectively and to be nimble so that we can support machine-learning-driven dynamic field programs, where we adapt our plan based on the data we collect at each stage

• Stakeholder Engagement: With leadership direction and support, help represent KoBold Metals with local stakeholders

Qualifications

You must have:

• At least 10 years of experience managing aviation contracting and deployment (including both fixed wing and helicopter), remote camp construction, and helicopter supported operations with a proven track record of implementing high standards relating to aviation safety in mineral exploration & mining, oil & gas or a related industry

• Conducted programs in different countries and/or remote environments

• Aviation scheduling and logistics proficiency

• English language proficiency requirements – ICAO or equivalent

• Demonstrated commitment to and familiarity with developing and implementing high standards of health & safety in the workplace, ideally hold a certificate of Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)

• Knowledge of the BARS program and requirements

• Experience working with computer controlled equipment and strong computer skills

• Experience with aerial survey operations and/or equipment

• The ability to problem-solve in remote environments

• The ability to work in remote and isolated locations for extended periods of time

A high degree of independence and the ability to work effectively with limited supervision. Familiarity with Project Management principles and managing projects remotely. Enjoyment in working with people in a wide variety of disciplines and different parts of the world. Interest in contributing broadly to the success of the company and eager to pitch in where needed

It is helpful but not required to have:

• Previous role as Accountable airport executive, Aerodrome Management

• Previous role as Director or Manager Aviation Operations & Safety

• Post-secondary Bachelor Degree in Aviation Management or equivalent combination of education and experience (12+ years)

• Certified Lead Aviation Auditor – IATA or equivalent

• Certified Aviation accident and incident investigator

• Existing or ability to acquire restricted access credentials for secure-side aviation operations

• Mining, Oil &Gas, Resource Exploration & production aviation experience considered and asset

• Valid First Aid Certification (Level 3 or Wilderness First Aid is preferred)

• French language skills

• Worked in a small company or as a member of a very small team with a broad mandate working in a fast paced project environment. 

KoBold Metals is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

This position is full-time, exempt.

Location: Location: KoBold is a remote first workplace, we are open to candidates currently residing anywhere in the United States or Canada. All candidates must be authorized to legally work in either the United States or Canada.

The US base salary range for this full-time exempt position is $120,000-$170,000.