Specialist Hydrologist

Specialist Hydrologist / Water Resources Engineer

• Global mining organisation with an exceptional safety culture

• Unique opportunity - use your technical expertise to provide mentoring / technical coaching for an established team of professionals

• Permanent full-time role - Perth CBD

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

Our Hydrogeology Group is a team of surface water and groundwater related experts responsible for delivering technical excellence focused on unlocking opportunities and mitigating water-related risks across our Pilbara operations at all stages of mine development, from concept through to feasibility, implementation, operations, and closure.

We are looking for a Specialist Hydrologist to join our Hydrology team to leverage and grow their skill set primarily focused on identifying and characterising hydrologic (flooding and sedimentation) opportunities and risks for all stages of mine development and further effectively communicate the magnitude and potential mitigation measures in support of operational sites, and multi-disciplinary study and project teams.

You’ll be a part of the close-knit Hydrology team where working together, looking out for each other, growth, fulfilment and purpose are priority. You will be supported by a great leadership team who understand that there’s more to life than work! This role is a great opportunity for a highly motivated individual, with a passion for hydrology and surface water management and contributing to a strong team environment. This individual will possess an enthusiasm for motivating and mentoring others in the delivery of highly technical work. Working a 5 days on, 2 off roster and reporting to the Superintendent Hydrologist, you will:

• Provide technical input into expansion studies for Conceptual, Order-of-Magnitude, Pre-feasibility, Feasibility, Life-of-Mine, closure and 10-year plan mining studies


• Undertake the annual flood risk assessment and support the annual wet season management plan development for operational sites


• Provide, and effectively communicate, technical advice to operations on surface water issues


• Scope, undertake and review surface water investigations to establish hydrologic and hydraulic conditions and develop strategic and tactical surface water management plans


• Provide advice on surface water management issues to other business services (Approvals, Environment, Engineering and Asset Management, EPCM contractors)


• Provide technical input into establishing RTIO hydrological standards and guidelines. Support the Superintendent Hydrologist in developing and guiding the Hydrology team as required


• Engage and manage consultants for surface water investigations (including the review of consultant’s reports and recommendations) as required


• Build and foster strong relationships with site mining personnel, hydrogeologists, and environmental officers


• Provide technical review of Hydrologist technical work eg. model builds, study chapters, technical memos


• Provide mentoring / technical coaching for an established team of professionals.

What you’ll bring

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


• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Geography or Environmental Science (post graduate qualification in engineering, hydrology or water resource management advantageous)


• Demonstrated experience in assessment of surface water flow and flood estimation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia


• Practical experience in surface water management, design of flood mitigation structures and development of surface water management plans


• Practical experience of 1D-2D hydraulic modelling and GIS tools


• Experience in presenting complex technical assessments to a range of stakeholders


• The ability to engage effectively and collaboratively with a diverse range of internal and external partners


• Strong report writing skills


• 6+ years relevant experience


• A manual C class drivers’ licence.

It will also be beneficial if you have:

• Knowledge of and interest in sedimentation management, associated processes, sediment transport modelling, and development or assessment of sediment controls.

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

We are committed to elevating Indigenous voices and increasing cultural knowledge in our business. Diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together. To help you on your journey with us, you’ll also have access to:

• Specialist Indigenous Support Advisors are always there for our Indigenous employees and available to support through any aspect of your employment


• Dedicated Indigenous Talent Programme for our Operators and Tradespersons and entry level operational roles. This programme is designed to create long term sustainable careers for our Indigenous Employees to grow into leadership or technical pathways to ensure you have every opportunity to grow your career.


• Indigenous leadership programmes across some professional and operational roles to ensure that we are developing Indigenous Leaders.

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 role is based in Perth at our Central Park office, with travel to our iron ore operations in the Pilbara as required.

Ready to experience something unique? Come work with us.

Applications close on the 14th of August 2024 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date).