Department: Corporate Exploration, Dual reporting to Manager, Exploration - AK and Director, Generative Exploration
Reports To: Director of Generative Exploration
Location: Reno, NV (preferred)
Position Summary
The Principal Geoscientist, Generative Exploration – Northern Cordillera leads in identifying, evaluating, and advancing new silver and gold exploration opportunities through systematic exploration and strategic industry networking. The role focuses on generating and advancing projects to key decision points on the path to discovery of Tier 1 silver and gold assets aligned with Hecla's corporate growth strategy.
This list is not all-inclusive and may be revised as needed; additional duties may be assigned.
- Promote and maintain a strong safety-first culture across all exploration activities including a strong commitment to following all applicable company, state, and federal safety guidelines.
- Ensure alignment of exploration goals with Hecla’s overall business objectives.
Opportunity Generation & Research
- Identify new exploration opportunities, with a focus on Northern Cordillera, using cost-effective methodologies, including analysis of technical literature, application of geological principles, and innovative targeting approaches
- Lead compilation of data for target regions and properties into quality-controlled, analysis-ready datasets
- Develop and maintain comprehensive databases of mineral deposits and exploration properties within the Northern Cordillera; analyze datasets to identify prospective districts with Tier 1 deposit potential
- Evaluate field data in conjunction with technical reports, geological maps, and engineering/economic studies to prepare detailed recommendations for the Manager of Exploration, Alaska and the Director of Generative Exploration
Property Evaluation & Acquisition
- Design regional screening programs to identify properties for acquisition, using methods such as stream sediment sampling, regional geophysical targeting, remote sensing, and prospectivity analysis
- Prepare comprehensive evaluation reports with actionable recommendations for properties of interest
- Conduct field investigations of exploration properties and assess acquisition of third-party holdings in collaboration with the Sr. Principal, New Exploration Opportunities.
- Coordinate property acquisition through claim staking, government applications, or direct purchase/option agreements
Project Advancement & Program Leadership
- Lead execution of field programs from planning through delivery — mapping, sampling, geophysics, and drilling — including crew supervision, contractor and drilling management, camp and aviation logistics, and seasonal scheduling
- Own safety leadership in remote settings, where helicopter and float-plane support, wildlife, weather, and isolation drive the risk profile
- Maintain data integrity across the project portfolio — sampling protocols, QA/QC, database discipline, and documentation to a standard that supports future resource work and public disclosure
- Manage and monitor generative exploration budgets and timelines for assigned programs
- Set and apply clear decision criteria for each project, and make the call to advance, divest, or drop on the evidence
- Mentor and develop project geologists and seasonal staff, building regional exploration capability alongside the projects themselves
- Design focused exploration programs that efficiently advance projects to clearly defined decision points
Stakeholder & Business Support
- Develop and maintain positive, culturally respectful relationships with Indigenous nations and local stakeholders in areas of exploration interest
- Support Corporate Development with project and company evaluations, including due diligence studies
- Work in collaboration with Hecla’s sustainability, permitting, legal, and land teams to ensure our license to operate is maintained in the communities in which we work
- 15+ years of progressive experience in generative exploration, opportunity recognition, and project management with demonstrated success leading exploration project teams
- Master’s degree or other advanced degree in Geology required
- Active membership in a recognized Self-Regulating Organization, and Qualified Person certification under NI 43-101, SK-1300, or JORC (preferred)
- Proven track record identifying underexplored Tier 1 silver/gold opportunities, securing land positions, and designing effective exploration programs
- Broad experience across the geologic domains and deposit types of the Northern Cordillera, with demonstrated expertise in VMS systems required; experience with structurally controlled silver-polymetallic vein systems a plus
- Proficiency in field mapping and systematic, hypothesis-driven geological interpretation, complemented by strong working knowledge of geochemical, geophysical, and remote sensing methods — and the ability to integrate these datasets into coherent exploration models
- Proficiency in ArcGIS, Leapfrog, ioGAS, and Microsoft Office
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities and experience preparing executive-level reports and presentations
- Self-directed, collaborative, and effective at building relationships with government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry partners, and multidisciplinary teams
- Creative problem-solver with strong geological intuition and cultural sensitivity; able to work autonomously and lead others
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, including extended rotations at remote field camps during the northern field season
- Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
- Must successfully pass background screening, pre-employment physical, and drug screening
- Work is performed in office and field settings.
- Work may involve walking on uneven terrain, standing for long periods, exposure to weather, and lifting up to 50 pounds over extended periods.
- Field work is in remote northern terrain, frequently accessed by helicopter or float plane, and may involve extended stays at fly-in camps with limited communications
- Conditions include cold, wet, and rapidly changing weather, difficult footing on steep or vegetated ground, and work in areas with bears and other wildlife
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in all active exploration and mining areas.
- Noise levels are generally quiet in the office; in the field and warehouse, appropriate hearing protection may be required.
- Work environments may involve exposure to dust, and use of a respirator may be required.
- Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities to perform essential work functions.
Hecla has been mining silver for more than a century and already operates in the Northern Cordillera, which makes this a rare combination: a genuinely generative mandate in a region the company knows and is committed to. Few roles let one geologist generate a target, secure the ground, and then drill it. You will have a funded program, the backing of both the Alaska exploration team and the corporate Generative group, and the standing to take a project all the way to a decision.
Skills Required
- 15+ years of progressive experience in generative exploration, opportunity recognition, and project management
- Master’s degree or other advanced degree in Geology
- Active membership in a recognized Self-Regulating Organization
- Qualified Person certification under NI 43-101, SK-1300, or JORC
- Track record identifying underexplored Tier 1 silver and gold opportunities, securing land positions, and designing exploration programs
- Broad experience across Northern Cordillera geological domains and deposit types
- Expertise in VMS systems
- Experience with structurally controlled silver-polymetallic vein systems
- Proficiency in field mapping and hypothesis-driven geological interpretation
- Working knowledge of geochemical, geophysical, and remote sensing methods
- Ability to integrate exploration datasets into coherent geological models
- Proficiency in ArcGIS, Leapfrog, ioGAS, and Microsoft Office
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level reports and presentations
- Ability to build relationships with government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry partners, and multidisciplinary teams
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, including extended remote field-camp rotations
- Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
- Successful completion of background screening, pre-employment physical, and drug screening
What We Do
Hecla Mining Company is the oldest U.S.-based precious metals mining company and the largest primary silver producer in the United States. We are responsible for 45% of the U.S. silver production, and we also mine gold, lead, and zinc. Hecla has deep roots in our communities and has been in business for more than 130 years. Hecla is headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with a sister office in Vancouver, B.C, and our operating mines are located in the U.S. and Canada (Juneau, Alaska; Idaho’s Silver Valley; Quebec, Canada; and Yukon Territory, Canada). We also own additional exploration properties in world-class silver and gold mining districts across North America. Hecla’s philosophy is to operate mines safely by promoting a deeply rooted value-based culture, leveraging mining skills developed over the Company’s long history, and applying innovative new practices. Hecla’s responsibility is to the safety and health of our people, the communities we call home, and the environment we operate in. We are the oldest NYSE-listed precious metals mining company in North America (NYSE:HL).
