Responsible Dam Engineer (Tailings & Water) | Weipa
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Critical dam safety leadership role supporting Weipa operations and complex tailings & water assets
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Key technical position aligned to Rio Tinto D5 Standard and GISTM, ensuring global best practice
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Work alongside a global network of tailings and geotechnical experts across Rio Tinto Aluminium & Lithium
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Influence major operational and sustaining capital decisions across TSFs and WSFs
About the role
All progress begins with pioneers. At Rio Tinto, it begins with you
We are seeking a Responsible Dam Engineer (RDE) to join our Tailings & Water function supporting Weipa operations. This is a critical technical leadership role providing site-based expertise to ensure the safe, compliant, and effective management of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and water storage facilities (WSFs).
Working within a well-established global network of subject matter experts, you will contribute to the consistent application of best practice dam safety standards, including the Rio Tinto D5 Standard and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM).
Reporting to the Principal Adviser – Tailings & Water, you will work closely with site operations teams, sustaining capital projects, and external engineering consultants, including Engineers of Record.
Key responsibilities include:
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Providing technical leadership to support safe operation and risk management of TSFs and WSFs
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Supporting the D5 Nominated Manager to identify, assess and manage facility risks
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Conduct dam inspections and surveillance, coordinate monthly dam safety reporting and facilitate tailings and water steering committee meetings
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Ensuring site conformance with D5 governance, assurance and reporting requirements
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Contributing to sustaining capital works, including design criteria, hazard classification and risk assessments
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Leading technical evaluation of dam safety incidents and development of corrective actions
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Coordinating independent technical reviews and engaging with Engineers of Record
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Interpreting monitoring data and communicating risk insights to stakeholders
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Maintaining critical dam safety documentation and risk registers
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Supporting delivery of brownfield and greenfield tailings and water projects
About you
To be successful in this role, you will bring strong technical capability and demonstrated experience in tailings and water storage facility management within a complex operational environment.
You will have:
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A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Geotechnical or equivalent)
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Minimum 10 years’ experience across the design, construction, operation or management of TSFs and WSFs
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Strong geotechnical knowledge and tailings technical management expertise
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Experience in dam break studies and consequence classification aligned to ANCOLD, DETSI or equivalent, and GISTM
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Proven experience in undertaking or coordinating risk assessments (e.g. FMEA) and applying ALARP principles
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Capability to investigate and manage dam safety incidents and implement corrective actions
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Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical information
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Demonstrated stakeholder engagement capability across operations, projects and external consultants
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A strong commitment to safety, risk management and Rio Tinto values
Where you will be working
This role is preferably residential in Weipa, Queensland, a unique coastal community in Far North Queensland offering a relaxed lifestyle and strong community connections.
Weipa operations are a key part of Rio Tinto’s aluminium value chain, with a focus on safe, sustainable operations supported by critical tailings and water infrastructure.
What we offer
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Competitive salary and benefits aligned to a remote, residential Weipa role
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Access to a global network of tailings and water technical experts
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Opportunities to work across multiple operations and complex assets
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Ongoing professional development and exposure to industry-leading standards and practices
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A supportive environment focused on safety, collaboration and continuous improvement
#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.
Respect and Inclusion
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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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 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 our Operations teams
The most important thing you’ll uncover is your own potential.
Working in Operations at Rio Tinto means you can make a hands-on difference in the discovery and delivery of the materials that make human progress possible. In return, we strive to help you achieve and even exceed your career goals. Join us and experience:
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.