Superintendent Hydrology

Superintendent Hydrology – Perth

• Drive technical leadership in hydrology and mine water management

• Full time or Part time opportunity

• Help shape the strategic direction and vision for water management across Rio Tinto Iron Ore

• Influence and drive a culture of continuous improvement

• Perth based with ad-hoc travel to site.

In the role of Superintendent Hydrology you will drive technical leadership, assurance and oversee technical guidance and advice to manage and mitigate surface water-related risk across the entire life of RTIO assets. The advice and guidance provided by you and your team will support our existing operations by ensuring appropriate surface water planning and environmental management solutions, and provide technical inputs, planning and stewardship to support the future growth of our business in the Pilbara.

About the role

We are looking for a Superintendent Hydrology to join our Iron Ore business and lead a team of hydrologists, hydrogeologists, groundwater modelers, field hydrogeologists, operational hydrogeology and technical programs leaders, responsible for providing subject matter expertise to our field programs, mining operations, studies, approvals, and heritage functions. This is a great opportunity to positively lead and influence whilst working with a diverse stakeholder group geographically spread across our business to deliver a plan which considers the entire life of our Tier 1 assets, from development, implementation, operation, and closure.

Reporting to the Manager Hydrogeology, you will: 

• Provide, support and develop technical capability in hydrology, inclusive of surface water modelling, flood risk assessments and planning, wet weather planning, sedimentation deposition analysis and evaluation, environmental monitoring programs and wholistic catchment planning.

• Lead a team of SMEs in the delivery of short, medium and long term solution planning and execution; inclusive of operational risk management, future development planning and studies, and field investigation / monitoring programs.

• Collaborate and connect: Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture, effective communication and teamwork.

• Provide active sponsorship, oversight and stewardship of surface water planning and key solutions.

• Translate RTIO’s commitment to water stewardship into tangible outcomes through delivery of strategic water planning outcomes.

• Contribute to and drive a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in water management.

• Actively identify and provide timely support to water-related risk

• Advocate and drive adherence to scientific method in the design and execution of hydrological investigations. 

• Provide expert technical guidance that is reliable, considered, transparent and defendable, clearly articulated and fit for purpose 

• Work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders to drive continuous improvement through adherence to PDCA (plan-do-check-act)

• Establish effective working relationships with studies, mine technical services & planning and mine operations stakeholders ensuring effective portfolio communications and management

• Provide regular and routine input to the leadership at a department and divisional level

About you 

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and others, creating and maintaining a safe workplace

• Demonstrated complex problem-solving abilities to deliver solutions across the business

• Proven ability to build positive relationships, lead a team to technical experts, develop and sustain a positive & productive team

• A strong influencer with the ability to build consensus and persuade stakeholders across diverse technical and operational backgrounds.

• An excellent communicator who can translate technical information into clear and concise messages for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• A solid understanding of surface water management best practices through planning, data acquisition, interpretation and reporting.

• A self-starter with a proactive and results-oriented approach, eager to learn and grow your expertise in the surface water management field.

• Familiarity and experience with assessing, evaluation and defining regulatory approval requirements.

• Flexibility to travel to our operational mine sites on a regular basis

• Provide context to your team that is meaningful to them and the work that we do 

• Create a positive environment focused on constructive feedback

• A current manual WA Driver’s license 

 It will be beneficial if you have:

• A minimum bachelor’s degree in hydrology, environmental science or other relevant science or engineering fields

• Be highly attuned to the challenges associated with surface and surplus water management in mining and the Pilbara; including key risks and mitigations.

• Strong understanding, familiarity and experience across the full life cycle of surface water planning, from conceptual catchment planning through to detailed operational risk evaluation & management.

Leaders with a strategic mindset, operational focus, curiosity and drive to contribute are strongly encouraged to apply.

What we offer

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

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

• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto.

• 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’ll be working
Based in the Perth CBD, Central Park, this role encourages agile ways of working, on a Monday – Friday roster. Regular travel to the Pilbara is required.

In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, we own an integrated portfolio of iron ore assets: a world-class, integrated network of 17 mines, four independent port terminals, a 1,700 kilometre rail network and related infrastructure – all designed to respond rapidly to changes in demand. We are one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of iron ore.

Applications close on 7 May 2025 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)

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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