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Entry Level Coal Mining Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Coal Mining information

What is an entry level coal mining job?

Entry level coal mining jobs are positions in the coal mining industry that require little to no previous mining experience. These roles typically involve assisting experienced miners, operating basic machinery, conducting manual labor, and ensuring safety procedures are followed. Common entry level positions include laborers, utility workers, or general mine hands. These jobs often serve as a starting point for those looking to build a career in mining, with opportunities for advancement as skills and experience are gained.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level coal miner?

To thrive as an Entry Level Coal Miner, you need a high school diploma or GED, physical stamina, basic mechanical aptitude, and a willingness to follow strict safety protocols. Familiarity with mining equipment, personal protective gear, and completion of safety training such as Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) certification are typically required. Reliability, attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help individuals stand out in this demanding environment. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure both personal safety and productivity while contributing to the overall success of mining operations.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level coal miners and how can they be addressed?

Entry-level coal miners often encounter challenges such as adapting to physically demanding work, maintaining strict safety standards, and learning to operate heavy machinery efficiently. The work environment can be noisy, confined, and requires constant alertness to safety protocols. New hires can address these challenges by actively participating in safety training, seeking guidance from experienced coworkers, and focusing on building physical endurance. Most mining companies also pair new employees with mentors or teams to help them acclimate and ensure they understand operational procedures.

What is the difference between Entry Level Coal Mining vs Entry Level Mining Equipment Operator?

AspectEntry Level Coal MiningEntry Level Mining Equipment Operator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety training, basic certificationsHigh school diploma, safety training, equipment operation certifications
Work EnvironmentUnderground or surface coal mines, physically demandingSurface or underground, operating heavy machinery
Industry UsagePrimarily in coal mining industryVarious mining sectors including coal, metal, and mineral mining

Entry Level Coal Mining and Entry Level Mining Equipment Operator roles share similar credentials and work environments, often requiring safety training and certifications. However, coal mining focuses specifically on extracting coal, while mining equipment operators may work across different mineral types. Both roles are essential entry points into the mining industry, with overlapping skills and safety requirements.

How to start a career in entry level coal mining?

To start a career in entry level coal mining, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and should consider obtaining safety certifications such as MSHA training. Gaining physical fitness and understanding mining safety procedures are important, and entry-level positions often require on-the-job training provided by the employer.

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Coal Mining jobs in Colorado?

For Entry Level Coal Mining jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Coal Mining jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Coal Mining jobs in Colorado are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Coal Mining job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Equipment Engineer - Kiewit Mining Group 2026

Kiewit Corporation

Arvada, CO

$86K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Kiewit Corporation rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 137 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 80 rated construction


Job description

Requisition ID: 180300 

Job Level: Entry Level 

Home District/Group: Kiewit Mining District 

Department: Equipment 

Market: Mining 

Employment Type: Full Time 

Position Overview

As an Entry Level Equipment Engineer, you will support Regional Construction & Mining operations. This position is responsible for the planning, scheduling, budgeting, utilization and reliability of a construction and mining equipment fleet.  The position will deal with day to day as well as long term issues related to an equipment fleet.  The position's main focus will be to improve equipment reliability as well as implement, monitor, audit, and manage preventative maintenance programs. 

District Overview

Kiewit Mining Group has grown steadily to become one of North America's leading producers of high-quality, high-energy coal and is ranked as one of the top 10 coal producers in the nation. We are built on a solid foundation of safety, quality, production and integrity.  

Location

One of the many things that makes Kiewit's culture unique is that we go where the work is, which exposes your career to abundant opportunities. We relocate our teams based on the work that is available, combined with the development plans, skill sets and career goals of each team member. This means your Kiewit adventure is custom-designed to meet our shared needs.

Responsibilities
  • Understand and comply with all federal, state, and company health, safety, and environmental requirements
  • Material handling and procurement 
  • Create and maintain tool/filter lists and documentation 
  • Inspections of equipment and parts
  • Logistics management and communication 
  • Long/short range equipment planning, scheduling, and budgeting
  • Planning and paperwork processing to prepare for critical lifts 
  • Use reliability and failure analysis data to increase equipment availability and reliability
  • Establish and maintain communications between all levels of supervision and management
  • Support of craft maintenance technicians - ordering parts, manage inventory, schedule crews, and manage quality and safety
  • Specialty projects as needed 

#LI-KS1

Qualifications
  • Has obtained an undergraduate AS/ BS degree in Diesel/Automotive Technology, Heavy Equipment Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Construction Management
  • 1+ year of experience with equipment is preferred 
  • 1+ year of experience with equipment planning, scheduling, and budgeting is preferred 
  • Strong work ethic - Willing to do what it takes to get the job done
  • Strong organizational, time management and communication skills
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to focus on multiple projects at once while prioritizing tasks
  • Willingness to travel and relocate as required
  • Willingness to work in both office and field environments
  • Knowledge of CAD modeling programs is preferred 
  • Ability to freely access all points of a construction site or equipment yard in wide-ranging climates and environment

 Other Requirements:
    Regular, reliable attendance
    Work productively and meet deadlines timely
    Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
    Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
    Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
    May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.

Base Compensation: $86,000/yr - $95,000/yr 
(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

This posting will be active from:  04/07/2026  - 09/01/2026  

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that's among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.


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About Kiewit

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kiewit Infrastructure Engineering's Design-Build team is driving clients to turn to Kiewit during all stages of design-build projects. Through our integrated design and construction approach, our multi-disciplinary team works together to improve schedule, control costs and minimize risk. Our construction-focused engineers work collaboratively with our estimators and builders to design solutions that are innovative, constructible, and designed with a focus on safety. Clients benefit from the proven processes and tools used by Kiewit to minimize project risk. We are an in-house resource that supports projects throughout the company. Our staff shares experiences gained, innovative concepts, and best practices for all projects that we support.

Industry

Construction materials wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1884