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Exciting and unique opportunity working within an Environmental technical team focused on improving Environmental and Approval outcomes in the mining sector.
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Foster a culture of continuous improvement by driving innovation, engaging stakeholders, and promoting effective collaboration across multiple disciplines.
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Permanent opportunity, working Monday – Friday at our Perth head office in Central Park, with ad hoc travel to the Pilbara.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced Specialist / Senior Advisor Subterranean Fauna to join our team in Perth. You will deliver technical programs and provide specialist advice on Subterranean Fauna and/or Terrestrial Short–Range Endemics to support environmental approvals, operational decision-making and long-term mine planning.
Reporting to the Principal Fauna, in the Environment and Land Access team, you will:
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Deliver technical advice and programs of work for subterranean fauna and terrestrial short-range endemic (SRE) fauna, including survey design, interpretation of ecological and taxonomic data
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Provide technical advice to inform environmental risk and impact assessments for subterranean fauna and SRE’s, including assessment of species distributions, habitat, survey adequacy, impact pathways and residual uncertainty
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Lead defined technical workstreams and contribute to strategic regional programs that improve the evidence base for future approvals and long-term mine planning, including regional surveys, research and data improvement initiatives
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Develop effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, consultants, scientific organisations, industry bodies and regulators to resolve environmental risks and uncertainties
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Develop technical scopes, oversee specialist consultants and review technical deliverables to ensure work is scientifically robust and fit for approval and operational purposes
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Support research and development, promote innovation and the use of technology to continuously improve the provision of technical and strategic advice
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Advise on the implementation and interpretation of State and Federal legislative requirements and supporting documents such as Environmental Factor Guidelines and Technical Guidance for Subterranean fauna.
Required for success
- Proven experience in subterranean fauna and/or short-range endemic terrestrial fauna, including survey design and methods, habitat assessment, interpretation of taxonomic and molecular data, and species distribution assessment
- Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate ecological data and technical reports and translate complex scientific information into practical advice for environmental approvals and business decision-making
- Knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation, environmental impact assessment and relevant technical guidance, preferably in Western Australia
- A tertiary degree in zoology, ecology, environmental science or other related discipline
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively in a team
- Effective project management, time management and problem-solving skills
Helpful for success:
- Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, influence decision-making and work collaboratively across multiple disciplines
- Experience utilising GIS software
What we offer
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary 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
• 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, personal & cultural leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
• Possible domestic relocation assistance
Advertising closes for this role on Friday 2nd October 2026 (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.
Respect and Inclusion
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTQ+ 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.
R65048
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 LGBTQ+ 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.
Start your application
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 Katie’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 – 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
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 one of our function’s teams
We supply the materials that drive human progress. You make it all possible.
With business operations that stretch from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Perth, Western Australia, we have exciting opportunities in virtually every discipline imaginable. From HR to marketing, finance to technology, infrastructure to supply chain, and much more, the opportunities are endless. Join us and enjoy:
Our application process
01
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.
02
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.
03
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.
04
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.