Senior Advisor HSE

Senior Advisor, Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Be part of a pioneering team advancing Rio Tinto's innovative heap leaching technology.
• Drive sustainable solutions while accelerating your career growth.
• This Role is based at Johnson Mine Dragoon, Arizona, USA

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We are seeking a Senior Advisor, Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) to lead risk management activities supporting the deployment and operation of Nuton technology. This role will play a critical part in Supporting Nuton’s compliance with the regulatory frameworks applicable to Nuton’s industrial scale deployment at Gunnison Copper’s Johnson Camp Mine (JCM) in Arizona, and Nuton’s Salt Lake City (SLC) laboratory facility. Whilst identifying, assessing, and managing health and safety risks across operational, project, and laboratory environments, ensuring alignment with Rio Tinto standards and applicable regulatory requirements.

Reporting to the Technology Principal Advisor, you will be a key contributor to the implementation, validation, and ongoing operation of Nuton technology, ensuring that robust, risk‑based health and safety systems are embedded from design through to execution.

Nuton, Rio Tinto’s latest entrepreneurial venture, is a suite of innovative, bio-heap leaching technologies that harness natural processes to unlock new sources of critical metals. Nuton not only pushes the boundaries of copper recovery but also sets a new standard for sustainability in mining. Learn more about Nuton here Our Technology – Nuton

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Accountable for design, implementation, and effectiveness of HSE governance and management systems for the Nuton venture, Nuton activities at the JCM site, and Nuton’s SLC Laboratory facility.
• Safety management, including inspections, critical risk management, incident management, emergency response, journey management, fatigue management, and business resilience.
• Leads on‑site safety culture maturity strategy and coaching
• Clear alignment and delineation of Nuton staff responsibilities, accountabilities and safety resources.
• Support asset management for facilities and Nuton process infrastructure.
• Owns the health and safety risk management framework for operational and project risk, including verification against relevant industry standards and regulatory compliance with MSHA.
• Health & safety-related commissioning and handover logistics between Nuton, contractors, consultants, and partner sites.
• Facilitate industrial hygiene monitoring and protection (noise and dust), procedures and systems for monitors and alarms, long-term health outcomes, and mental health.

• Develop and deliver health & safety systems for Nuton SLC Laboratory Facility including facility design and safety compliance needs
• Primary HSE interface for internal and external stakeholders

What you’ll bring

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

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
• Bachelor's degree in health and safety or another relevant discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in roles with health, safety, and technical responsibilities, preferably in operational or major project environments
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Risk management, budget management, contract and contractor management, analysis & reporting and operational knowledge.
• Experience with Emergency Response or Mines Rescue Team programs, Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) & Health, Safety, Security and Environment Management System tools. 
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software, to gather, assess, and synthesize key metrics, trends, and insights, delivering actionable reports to inform strategic decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MSHA Certified Instructor
• Certified Safety Professional

Benefits offered

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
• Retirement options that include a 6% company contribution to a defined plan, 401(k) matching, and a share ownership program.
• Generous time-off opportunities include paid time off, holidays, bereavement leave, and four months of parental leave for all parents.
• Comprehensive health plans covering medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and additional voluntary benefits.
• Access to wellness initiatives, including employee discounts and an employee assistance program for confidential support.

Where you’ll be working

The role will be based in the Johnson Camp Mine site in Arizona.

About Rio Tinto

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 situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.

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