Hydrogeologist

Hydrogeologist – FIFO

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

• Enhance your technical foundations by acquiring rare skills in operational hydrogeology

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

• Permanent full-time role – 8/6 FIFO roster from Perth, Busselton or Broome

About the role 

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. 

An excellent opportunity now exists for a suitably qualified and experienced Hydrogeologist to join our Mine Technical Services (MTS) team within Rio Tinto Iron Ore. In this role, you will assist in providing hydrogeological support to our Pilbara Mine Operations and be a part of a close-knit team working together to deliver dewatering strategies and effectively manage precious groundwater resources.

Reporting to the Superintendent of Geoscience Mine Technical Services, you will:

• Drive hydrogeology and surface water management requirement on site to meet current and future production requirements.

• Implement and reconcile the site Hydrogeological Conceptual model that underpins risk mitigation

• Ensure groundwater compliance for the operation and suitable monitoring is undertaken.

• Implement, monitor, and review effectiveness of dewatering and groundwater management strategies

• Support targeted data collection for on-site water management decisions

• Risk-assess the impact of changes to mine plans and dewatering regimes on water management strategies

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders

• Demonstrate the Rio Tinto values of courage, care, and curiosity

• Assure hydrogeological assets current and future are considered in all mine planning horizons

• Work closely with the on-site Specialist Hydrogeologist, contribute to knowledge sharing amongst Operations, Hydrogeology discipline and promote collaboration

• Design and provide technical hydrogeological support across hydrogeological drilling programmes onsite

What you’ll bring    

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

• Be highly attuned to issues of hydrogeological data capture, quality control and information workflow

• Previous experience in hydrogeological field investigations

• Previous experience in dewatering of Open Pit mine dewatering

• Previous experience in groundwater monitoring and sampling methods and compliance

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

• Communicates clearly and confidently across technical and non-technical audiences

• Has a collaborative, inclusive approach to solving complex challenges

• Self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently in a dynamic and changing environment

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

• A relevant bachelor’s degree (geology, hydrogeology, science, or engineering)

It will be beneficial if you have:

• Postgraduate training in hydrogeology

• Experience navigating WA’s water regulatory environment

• Understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in mining or field-based roles

• Knowledge of operational Manage Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems will be extremely valuable

• Knowledge or previous experience with geotechnical pore pressure monitoring and equipment

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 contributions, thinking and 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

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 Mine Technical Services 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 offered on 8 days on, 6 days off FIFO (Fly in Fly out) roster from Perth, Busselton or Broome and working on site within the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Applications close on 6 October 2025 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date). 

#gts

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.

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.

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