Field Hydrogeologist

Discover a Brighter Future   

At South32, we’re meeting the challenge of enabling a sustainable future through our focus  

on responsibly producing commodities critical for a low-carbon world.  

As a collaborative, caring and inclusive company, there’s no better place to make a genuine  

difference. Together we’re making a positive, global impact that has the potential to change lives.  

Whatever career path you choose, we’ll support you every step of the way to learn, grow and succeed. So join us, step towards a brighter future and leave your legacy.  
  
ABOUT Hermosa    

Hermosa, located approximately 75 miles south-east of Tucson, Arizona, is the only advanced mining project in the United States as of 2023 that could produce two federally designated critical minerals—manganese and zinc—as well as silver and lead. The project has the potential to help power the nation’s clean energy future, strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical minerals, grow the local economy, and improve lives in Santa Cruz County and the surrounding community for generations to come. 

WHAT SOUTH32 OFFERS

• Annual short-term incentive bonus that recognizes both your individual performance and the overall success of the business.
• When you choose to contribute more into your retirement savings, South32 will match it up to a certain percentage.
• South32 provides you with 4 weeks paid time off.
• 12 weeks full-paid parental leave for primary carers and 2 weeks full-paid parental leave for secondary carers

ABOUT THE ROLE 

This role is a (Permanent) position from (Tucson, Az)

As the (Field Hydrogeologist), you will be responsible for operational aspects of hydrogeology and dewatering to inform decision-making by project delivery, operations, maintenance, permitting, and technical teams at Hermosa.

Other key responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Surface Dewatering Program
  • Understanding of program’s construction, pump operation, and management of well infrastructure & equipment
  • Ownership of dewatering well performance, to be handed over from construction contractor (M & A)
  • Oversee abandonment process for monitoring and dewatering wells
• Underground Dewatering Program
  • Design of drain holes/galleries with mine planning team
  • Coordination and support the execution of underground hydrogeological testing and dewatering programs
  • Ownership of accounting for where water is coming from, stored, transported/pumped underground
• Surface & Underground
  • Identifying pumping targets and future-casting (working with external consultants)
  • Ramp-up/reduce pumping relative to constraints of WTP2, supporting water balance optimizations
  • Maintaining site water balance, coordinating with various teams including construction, operations, technical and permitting to implement optimizations
  • Ownership of database and data reporting system accuracy and ensuring reported information is relevant to users and consistently provided for hydrogeological modeling updates
• Sitewide Monitoring System (VWPs and wells)
  • Design input and oversight of contractors installing monitoring equipment
  • Interpreting monitoring data, setup and updating of monitoring data dashboards and distributed reporting to various teams for informed decision-making (including hydrographs that contextualize pump rates and water elevations plan vs. actual)
  • Comparing head targets to modeling forecasts, interpreting variances and reporting to internal stakeholders
  • Analyzing and reporting head distribution relative to development headings
  • Raising issues/concerns or opportunities, and communicating impacts and recommended actions
  • Collaborate with mine planning and underground development teams, identifying risks of groundwater to mining, and developing Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs)
  • Communicating hydrogeological understanding to multi-disciplinary project teams

About You

You will have experience and demonstrate capability in the following:

• Bachelors Degree in a geosciences discipline
• 5+ years working in the mining industry, underground experience a plus
• Strong geology and hydrogeology experience is required
• Familiarity with drilling, including methods and challenges of gathering information
• Experience managing contractors and consultants
• Experience working with and communicating to large groups
• Experience with data reporting systems, preferred
• Experience with modeling a plus, but not required
• Strong analytical skills for analysis of results and monitoring data
• Strong collaborative skills for problem-solving and implementation of improvement opportunities with various teams
• Strong communication skills for relaying analyses to various internal users for decision-making
• Able to see the bigger picture and inter-relationships of geology, hydro, mining, etc.
• Oversee and manage contractors who are mechanical specialists, and knowing when to call

South32 is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate.  We provide a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible for all and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.