Cavern Superintendent
About The Position
The Cavern Superintendent oversees daily field operations for excavation, support, waterproofing, and structural work associated with large underground caverns, including station boxes, crossovers, and ventilation shafts. Working with field crews, subcontractors, engineers, and support staff, the Superintendent ensures construction is performed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with design specifications and project schedules. This is a field-based leadership role requiring deep experience in underground construction, with a strong focus on safety, productivity, and quality in challenging subsurface environments. The role also coordinates underground logistics and field teams, monitors ground conditions and instrumentation, maintains project documentation, supports quality assurance, and communicates field progress and issues to the Cavern General Manager. Work is primarily at active construction sites, both underground and on the surface, with occasional office work for document review, reporting, and coordination. The work environment includes exposure to noise, dust, vibration, confined spaces, heavy equipment, uneven terrain, and varying weather conditions.
Requirements
- Minimum 15 years of experience in underground construction, including at least 10 years in cavern or large-span excavation.
- Experience in deep excavation and mined cavern environments with variable geology.
- Strong leadership and coordination skills, including experience managing crews in complex underground environments.
- Strong technical knowledge of cavern excavation methods, such as heading-and-bench and full-face excavation, initial support systems, and structural concrete.
- Familiarity with ground support installation, waterproofing systems, and final lining techniques.
- Proficiency in reading and interpreting underground construction drawings and specifications.
- OSHA 30 or equivalent safety training required.
- Ability to lead crews in confined and hazardous underground conditions.
- Strong communication skills and ability to coordinate with multidisciplinary field teams.
- Problem-solving ability and capacity to respond to changing site conditions.
- Highly organized, with the ability to maintain accurate field records.
- Willingness to work extended hours, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays as required.
- Commitment to safety and environmental compliance in high-risk work zones.
- Ability to stand, walk, and climb for extended periods; navigate uneven ground, scaffolding, and ladders; work around heavy equipment; and respond quickly to safety or operational issues in physically demanding conditions.
- Regular use of personal protective equipment, including hard hats, safety boots, high-visibility clothing, and eye and ear protection.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, mining engineering, or construction management is preferred; equivalent field experience is also accepted.
Responsibilities
- Supervise daily underground cavern excavation, initial support, waterproofing, and structural concrete installation.
- Coordinate excavation sequences in accordance with approved excavation and support designs.
- Ensure rock bolts, lattice girders, shotcrete, and other support systems are installed according to design requirements.
- Oversee subcontractor operations and ensure alignment with construction plans, quality standards, and safety regulations.
- Monitor production rates, daily progress, and manpower utilization; adjust work plans and resources to optimize performance.
- Enforce site safety protocols and lead daily toolbox talks, hazard assessments, and inspections.
- Collaborate with field engineers, geotechnical staff, and surveyors to interpret ground conditions and adjust excavation or support strategies as needed.
- Assist with ground stabilization and grouting operations in coordination with the design team and geotechnical personnel.
- Supervise installation of waterproofing membranes and related materials to ensure continuity and compliance.
- Coordinate formwork and rebar installation and cast-in-place concrete placement for final lining and cavern structures.
- Monitor and interpret instrumentation data and respond to deviations from expected values.
- Maintain field documentation, including daily reports, timesheets, shift logs, and material tracking.
- Communicate field progress, issues, delays, and design concerns to the Cavern General Manager.
- Support quality assurance through field inspections and oversight of material testing and workmanship.
- Participate in shift handovers and provide guidance for 24/7 operations.
- Coordinate logistics in confined underground environments, including muck handling, ventilation, utilities, and material deliveries.
- Identify and help resolve field conflicts, constructability issues, and discrepancies between design and field conditions.
- Ensure fieldwork complies with environmental and regulatory requirements.
- Perform other related duties as directed by the Cavern General Manager.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
