Superintendent Field Hydrogeology
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Drive technical leadership and best practice in field hydrogeology delivery
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Lead one of the largest and diverse field teams of their type
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Influence and drive a culture of continuous improvement
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FIFO 5:2/4:3 roster
About the role
Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.
We’re seeking a Superintendent Field Hydrogeology to join our Iron Ore business and lead a talented, collaborative team of approximately 20 Field Hydrogeologists. In this role, you’ll provide both technical and safety leadership across a wide range of hydrogeological field programs—spanning development, implementation, operation, and closure—across our Tier 1 Pilbara assets. Working alongside our industry-leading water-well drilling partners, you’ll help deliver the future of groundwater management through a clear vision, a continuous improvement mindset, and a strong commitment to team development, technical excellence and environmental stewardship.
Reporting to the Manager Hydrogeology, you will:
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Lead with Purpose: Guide a team of Field Hydrogeologists in delivering high-quality technical supervision of hydrogeological drilling, aquifer testing, VWP installation, and injection testing —anchored in a clear vision for sustainable water management and operational excellence.
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Collaborate Across Functions: Build solid, respectful partnerships across technical, planning and delivery teams to realise successful execution of field programs aligned with shared goals and long-term impact.
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Champion Safety and Wellbeing: Foster a proactive safety culture by embedding Critical Risk Management (CRM), leading by example in the field, and continuously identifying and implementing improvements that enhance team wellbeing and operational safety.
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Drive Program Success: through collaborative planning and scheduling of drilling programs, ensuring technical oversight across multiple concurrent sites and driving better outcomes.
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Partner for Progress: Work closely with internal teams and contract partners to enhance performance, challenge the status quo, and identify innovative ways to improve safety, efficiency, and technical delivery.
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Ensure Environmental Stewardship: Oversee field programs that meet regulatory standards, minimize environmental impact, and uphold rigorous data collection protocols.
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Promote Scientific Excellence: Advocate for the scientific method in hydrogeological investigations, ensuring outcomes are transparent, reliable, and fit for purpose.
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Lead with Integrity: Provide clear, considered technical and leadership guidance that reflects our values of Care, Courage, and Curiosity, and encourages open dialogue and exploration of new ideas.
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Inspire and Develop Talent: Recruit, mentor, and support a diverse team of Field Hydrogeologists, fostering a culture of inclusion, continuous learning, psychological safety, and professional growth.
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Contribute Strategically: Play an active role in shaping the future direction of hydrogeology programs by contributing insights at departmental and divisional levels, and aligning team efforts with broader strategic goals.
What you’ll bring
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A collaborative approach to solving complex challenges, with a focus on practical, sustainable outcomes.
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Experience leading and supporting diverse teams, with a passion for building a positive, high-performing culture where everyone can thrive.
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The ability to influence and build trust across a wide range of stakeholders, bringing people together to achieve shared goals.
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Clear and confident communication skills—able to translate technical concepts into meaningful insights for both technical and non-technical audiences.
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Practical knowledge of hydrogeological drilling methods in Pilbara terrain, and a strong understanding of water-well construction, development, and testing.
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A commitment to environmental stewardship and best practice in water supply development.
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A continuous improvement mindset—curious, reflective, and always looking for better ways to plan, deliver, and learn.
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A proactive, self-motivated approach, with a desire to grow your expertise and support others in doing the same.
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The ability to provide meaningful context and purpose to your team, connecting their work to broader goals.
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Solid time and resource management skills to support the successful delivery of large-scale drilling programs.
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A coaching style that fosters development, encourages feedback, and celebrates progress.
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A current manual WA Driver’s license
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A minimum bachelor’s degree in geology, hydrogeology, relevant science or engineering field
It will be beneficial if you have:
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Post-graduate training in water-related field
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Be highly attuned to the challenges associated with hydrogeology and field hydrogeology in mining and the Pilbara
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Understanding of WA regulatory environment applicable to water
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.
What we offer
Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
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A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
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A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
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A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
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Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
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Attractive share ownership plan
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Company provided insurance cover
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Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
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Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
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Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
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Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
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Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
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Possible domestic relocation assistance
Where you’ll be working
Working 5:2/4:3 roster across multiple sites within the Pilbara.
In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, we own an integrated portfolio of iron ore assets: a world-class, integrated network of 16 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 29 July 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.
JOB_POSTING-3-9280
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, 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.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being 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 who we are.
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Shona’s career journey
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2022 – PresentGeneral Manager Weipa OperationsWeipa, Far North Queensland, Australia
- 2020General Manager Bell Bay AluminiumLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2017Metal products DepartmentBoyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2014Reduction line Manager – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2012Services department Manager Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2011Manager Health, Safety, Environment and business improvement Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2010Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2009Operations SuperintendentGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2005Operations SuperintendentLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2004Graduate EngineerLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Working in a technical role at Rio Tinto
Your advanced expertise will help drive human progress.
We’ve developed technical capabilities through nearly 150 years of discovering, planning, and operating mines in every corner of the world. We’re an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most sophisticated tools and robust data on the planet. Join us and experience:
Our application process
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Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
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Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
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Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
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Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
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Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.