Senior Specialist Groundwater Models - Perth

Senior Specialist Groundwater Models – Perth

• Great opportunity to be a lead role in our Water Resources Evaluation (WRE) team which generate predictions to allow the business to decide how to best manage groundwater.
• Unique role being the technical lead for a large in-house groundwater and modelling function, utilising a world class hydraulic data set.
• Busy role where you will directly influence activity across our Pilbara iron ore mines and provide mentoring to develop team capability.

About the role

All progress begins with pioneers. At Rio Tinto, it begins with you.

We are looking for a Senior Specialist Groundwater Models to join our hydrogeology function part of the Water Resources Evaluation (WRE) team. The suitable candidate should utilise their technical expertise and professional network to develop and maintain a consistent and fit for purpose approach to groundwater modelling to achieve business outcomes, whilst developing the capability of team and facilitating internal and external collaboration.

Reporting to the Principal Hydrogeology you will:

• Be an active member of WRE Leadership group and Hub Hydrogeology Lead Team, leading technical capability in groundwater models at RTIO and advise how groundwater modelling is considered in strategic decisions
• Maintain effective working relationships to assure model context and required deliverables are catered for, allowing an appropriate schedule to be developed by Hydrogeology Superintendent to meet stakeholder expectations
• Develop and maintain a standard approach appropriate to each modelling deliverable type (assessment of environmental impacts, management of mine dewatering, water supply requirements and novel water projects)
• Develop capability of modelling function by providing coaching to Senior Groundwater Modellers and mentoring to groundwater modellers
• Support RTIO membership of GMDSI by adhering to the initiative principals in modelling approach and collaborating with external partners.
• Maintain consistency in groundwater models to assure predictions are fit for purpose for business decisions to be made
• Assure groundwater modelling data is stored in a consistent manner and is accessible with required context
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in mathematical modelling
• Demonstrate the Rio Tinto values of Care, Courage, and Curiosity

What you’ll bring

To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:

• A strong commitment to safety and adherence to risk management systems
• Tertiary qualification in Engineering or geoscience (post graduate studies in Hydrogeology or Environmental Engineering will be highly regarded)
• An ability to convert complex technical issues into practical and applied outcomes
• Strong interpersonal skills, including good oral and written skills
• A Current "C Class " WA Drivers licence
• Working knowledge of a range of analytical and numerical groundwater modelling packages, including mass transport modelling and automated model calibration (e.g., PEST), experienced in the use of stochastic and probabilistic methods.
• Familiarity with GIS packages, geological modelling software, programming, and other support software such as, Python and MATLAB; and
• Proven experience and ability to plan and deliver modelling projects within the proposed timeframe, including the ability to accurately estimate the time necessary to complete model build, calibration, and predictive simulations
• Site based experience or previous field experience, including hydraulic testing and design for applications such as dewatering, seepage mitigation, well field layout and optimisation etc

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 margins. Our premium product suite, including our flagship Pilbara blend, drives strong customer relationships and is supported by technical and commercial marketing expertise. The iron ore business continues to be the world's largest autonomous truck operator and a proud leader in automated mining technologies.

This position is based in the Perth CBD, at our Central Park office.What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, your critical thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world advance by producing the materials essential to human progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A competitive salary package reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan and 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)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

About Rio Tinto

Every idea, every innovation, every little thing the world calls ‘progress’ begins with a first step, and someone willing to take it: explorers, inventors, entrepreneurs. Pioneers. 

For nearly 150 years, Rio Tinto has been a company of pioneers – generations of people spanning the globe, all with the grit and vision to produce materials essential to human progress. 

Our iron ore has shaped skylines from Shanghai to Sydney. Our aluminium – the world’s first to be certified “responsible” – helps planes fly and makes cars lighter. Our copper helps wind turbines power cities and our boron helps feed the world and explore the universe. Our diamonds help us celebrate the best parts of life. 

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly 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 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.

Apply today if you want to work with the latest technology and innovation, in an environment where we challenge you to drive positive change.

This role is for applicants residing in or willing to permanently relocate to Western Australia. Rio Tinto offers fly in and fly out options from Perth, our regional FIFO hubs and the opportunity to live in our residential towns where applicable.

Applications close on 15th November 2022 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)