Infrastructure Technician

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Infrastructure Technician works in the Operations Division under the Hoists & Shafts Department and is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and repair of surface and underground structures to ensure a safe environment and stable structure.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following reflects SDSTA’s definition of essential functions for this position and does not restrict other tasks that may be assigned. SDSTA retains the right to re-evaluate the duties of the position when considering a reasonable accommodation or at other appropriate times. The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Maintaining and constructing underground structures and systems

• Maintains and repairs existing structures (shaft steel and timber, ventilation, drainage, water, etc.) to ensure safety and compliance.
• Reads and follows blueprints drafted by engineers to ensure proper placement and structure.
• Constructs new underground structures (drills, blasts, mucks, rock bolts, etc.).
• Builds and repairs track for track mounted equipment (pulleys, carts, etc.).
• Installs and repairs pipes containing air, water, etc.
• Ensures upkeep of ventilation system, underground water treatment facility, drainage system and other underground support systems.
• General Construction: uses hand tools to manually remove, replace or repair large pieces of timber or steel structure that could weigh more than 100 pounds (activity can consume majority of a shift).
• Rock Bolting: Uses a jackleg machine weighing 100 pounds to install rock bolts within shaft. Jackleg machines introduce vibration to user (activity can consume majority of shift).
• Material Handling: By manual means, removes large amounts of debris, muck and boulders from shaft-often times boulders will weigh in excess of 100 pounds (activity can consume majority of a shift).

Managing cage/skip

• Loads skips & cages with materials and equipment.
• Records number of containers and personnel.
• Calculates capacities and estimates weight to prepare for hoisting.
• Moves loads on and off conveyances.
• Makes necessary notifications when cage is used to carry personnel.
• Plans and prioritizes (in conjunction with other staff) the materials and personnel being raised/lowered in the cage.

Preparing and managing materials and supplies

• Reports material inventories to ensure proper material orders.
• Stages and coordinates transport of materials.
• Gives directions to other workers in loading of cage to ensure conformance to safety regulations.
• Maintains supply storage areas, equipment and supplies, such as fire extinguishers, lamps and batteries.
• Assists in setting up and operating a variety of equipment and other machinery.
• Records material intake and usage.
• Monitors air and gas levels within the underground.
• Assists in general duties: Assists engineers and technicians in data collection for analysis, collects samples to be used in Science research and disposes of waste.

Other Essential Functions

• Maintains consistent and reliable attendance.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.