Senior Advisor Hydrogeology

Senior Advisor - Hydrogeology

• Apply your technical skills to mine water management on the largest scale


• Be part of a dynamic, high performing team with excellent career development opportunities


• Permanent full-time role based in Perth

Where we’re all welcome

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We acknowledge that all people are different and believe that our differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together.

About the role

As the business moves towards greater below water table mining there is an increase in the need to model and manage groundwater. The business relies on this to deliver groundwater related Orebody Knowledge that allows for effective mine dewatering planning, geotechnical slope design, water supply investigation, water related environmental impact assessments for government approvals as well as understanding project and operational risks.

The Senior Advisor Hydrogeology is accountable for the technical delivery and communication of groundwater models to inform dewatering, depressurisation for open pit slope stability impact assessment.

Effective management planning for groundwater model selection, construction, maintenance & predictions for mine planning are fundamental to the success of this role. The role demands a technical approach with excellent communication skills across multi-disciplined teams to develop fit for purpose products to enable planning and identify business risks.

The Senior Advisor Hydrogeology will be accountable for development of systems and continuous improvement in the delivery of groundwater modelling expertise to the business including mentoring of site-based Specialist Hydrogeologists and consultant management.

Reporting to the Principal Geotechnical Risk & Assurance, you will:

• Oversee the development and maintenance of analytical and numerical groundwater models for geotechnical slope design, collaborating with hydrogeologists to achieve operational and Life of Mine objectives.


• Serve as a key hydrogeological liaison for HSEQ D3 Standard compliance, guiding site staff on D3 management of slopes and identify potential compliance gaps, including regular site visits


• Guide and mentor site-based Specialist Hydrogeologists, identifying hydrogeological development needs, and establish systems for continuous improvement in groundwater model delivery, depressurization strategies, and monitoring.


• Identify slope hydrogeological monitoring and depressurization requirements, assist with capital plan evaluations, and support the design and reconciliation of slope performance monitoring systems.

What you’ll bring

• A commitment to the health and safety of yourself, your team, and the environment


• BSc in Geology or similar with strong mathematical background. Post graduate qualifications in Hydrogeology, or Environmental Engineering will also be considered


• Demonstrable ability to construct and manage analytical numerical groundwater models


• Specialist knowledge of analytical & numerical modelling pre & post processing software


• Specialist knowledge of analytical & numerical modelling engines and algorithms


• Understanding of mine planning drivers and practical physical constraints of large-scale open pit dewatering


• Ability to be able to influence other teams


• Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a dynamic team environment


• A manual ‘C’ class WA driver’s licence

If you are excited about the role and think you have what it takes but your experience doesn't align 100% we still want to hear from you.

We are committed to promoting diversity within Rio Tinto and as a special measure to we strongly encourage women to apply.

What we offer

• Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.


• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority


• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto


• Full relocation provided to Western Australia from elsewhere in Australia


• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive bonus


• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family


• Attractive share ownership plan


• Company provided insurance cover


• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options


• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions


• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support


• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave, cultural leave)


• To better suit different family needs, our paid parental leave approach gives all parents the option to take 18 weeks of paid leave after a new child arrives – at a time that suits them


• Exclusive employee discounts including hotel stays, banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more, read more about the huge range of benefits here: https://bit.ly/43AQLue

Who we are

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.

Where you will be working

In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Rio Tinto operates the world's largest integrated portfolio of iron ore assets with industry-leading performance and technology. Our iron ore business continues to be the world's largest autonomous truck operator and a proud leader in automated mining technologies.

Effective management of water is a key priority at Rio Tinto and as a member of Water Resource Evaluation you will gain exposure to water management across the full range of a project’s lifecycle from greenfield development through feasibility studies, operation and into closure.

This position will be Perth based with adhoc site travel.

Ready to experience something unique? Come work with us.

Applications close on 29th August 2024 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date).