Industrial Hygienist – NZAS
Tiwai Point, Invercargill | Permanent Role | Relocation Provided
Join New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) — a globally recognised producer of ultra‑high‑purity, low‑carbon aluminium. Our operation is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most complex industrial environments, and protecting the long‑term health of the people who work here is critical.
We are seeking an Industrial Hygienist to lead and continually strengthen our workplace exposure monitoring programme across all NZAS operations — in line with New Zealand legislation and Rio Tinto’s global health standards.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the long‑term health protection of an entire workforce.
About the Role
As the site’s subject matter expert in occupational hygiene, you will own the systems, monitoring, insight generation, and strategic risk management that protect workers from health hazards. You will work across all production areas, maintenance teams, and contracting partners.
Your responsibilities include:
- Leading the full workplace hygiene monitoring programme (airborne contaminants, noise, thermal stress, ergonomics, biological and chemical exposures)
- Ensuring compliance with NZ legislation, Rio Tinto health standards, and port‑related regulatory requirements (where applicable)
- Designing and executing exposure monitoring plans, including personal and static sampling, both independently as well as working alongside our external consultants
- Conducting exposure assessments, interpreting results, and communicating health risks clearly to leaders and workers
- Advising on engineering, administrative, and PPE controls to manage exposures
- Supporting the development and continuous improvement of Rio Tinto health systems, processes, and audits
- Assessing contractor compliance and supporting health‑related contractor management
- Reporting critical health risks and trends to the HSES Manager and wider leadership team
- Providing expert technical support for investigations involving potential health exposures
- Building capability across frontline teams through practical coaching and education
You will be a trusted technical advisor who combines scientific rigour with practical, operational understanding.
What You’ll Bring
We welcome both experienced Occupational/Industrial Hygienists and those working toward professional accreditation.
You will have:
- Experience in occupational hygiene, exposure assessment, industrial health, or a related discipline
- Practical working knowledge of NZ workplace health legislation and exposure standards
- Strong analytical skills and confidence interpreting complex monitoring data
- Ability to develop monitoring strategies and deliver clear, meaningful insights
- Strong communication skills with credibility at all levels of the operation
- A relevant qualification in occupational hygiene, health science, science, engineering, or similar
- Preferred: Chartered / certified Occupational Hygienist (e.g., BOHS, AIOH, IOHA).
- Considered: Candidates actively working toward certification and demonstrating strong technical capability and professional growth potential.
This role suits someone who is methodical, curious, evidence‑driven, and passionate about protecting long‑term worker health.
This Role Is for You If You…
- Want to own and evolve a site‑wide occupational hygiene programme
- Enjoy technical fieldwork, analysis, and translating data into practical controls
- Value accuracy, integrity, and scientific discipline
- Are excited by complex industrial environments
- Want to make a direct, long‑term impact on worker health outcomes
What We Offer
- Permanent role based in Invercargill, with full relocation support
- Competitive salary with annual incentive
- Medical benefits, wellbeing support, and retirement savings
- Flexible working arrangements
- Rio Tinto employee share programme
- Career development and global network opportunities across Rio Tinto
- The chance to lead meaningful health protection work in a world‑class industrial facility
About NZAS / Rio Tinto
NZAS is part of Rio Tinto Aluminium & Lithium – Pacific Operations. We operate one of the world’s cleanest, most efficient aluminium smelters, supported by a diverse team of technical specialists. Invercargill offers an exceptional lifestyle with affordable living, outdoor adventure, strong schools, and a supportive community.
Ready to Shape the Future of Worker Health at NZAS?
Apply now and help strengthen the health protection systems of one of New Zealand’s most important industrial operations.
Applications close: Friday 6 February 2026
Learn more: https://nzas.co.nz | https://tiwaistories.co.nz
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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 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 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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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.
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 Theresia’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 – PresentChief advisor Nature SolutionsJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- 2018 – 2022Head of Environment, Global HSESMontreal, Quebec, Canada
- 2016 – 2018Principal advisor: EnvironmentJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- 2013 – 2016Superintendent: Ecology and RehabilitationRichards Bay Minerals, KZN, South Africa
- 2012 – 2013EcologistRichards Bay Minerals, KZN, South Africa
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.
05
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.