Principal Hydrogeologist

Description

• Present strategic water portfolio updates and recommendations to senior leadership, regulators, and key stakeholders.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships to negotiate water access and discharge alignment with Traditional Owner agreements and regional planning.
• Develop long‑term water balance scenarios, contingency plans, mine dewatering schedules, and drought mitigation strategies aligned with expansion and exploration timelines.
• Lead the development and execution of water management strategies across multiple Pilbara operations, with a focus on Central Pilbara iron ore projects.
• Collaborate closely with discipline leads, project managers, and senior leadership to integrate water, dewatering, and discharge strategies into asset development and operational planning.
• Lead and mentor a senior hydrogeologist and site hydrogeologist, fostering excellence in compliance, operations, and technical assessments.
• Direct the preparation, submission, and maintenance of statutory compliance reports to meet regulatory and corporate requirements.
• Guide operational water security planning to ensure availability for mining, processing, and community needs, while optimising excess water discharge pathways to meet licence conditions and environmental requirements.
• Provide technical instruction to numerical modelling teams; interpret groundwater and surface water modelling results for strategic decision‑making on drawdown predictions, discharge volumes, and reuse options.
• Oversee regulatory engagements with DWER, DMIRS, native title bodies, pastoral lease holders, local government, and Traditional Owners to secure water licences, rights, and permits, including dewatering approvals and discharge permits.

Requirements

• Proven track record in strategic water planning, dewatering scheduling, and regulatory engagement across multiple operations.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical strategies in clear, actionable terms.
• Extensive experience in groundwater resource management, mine dewatering operations, and excess water discharge compliance within mining or resource project contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor technical professionals.
• Strong working knowledge of WA water legislation, rights, licensing processes, and regulatory frameworks for mine dewatering and discharge (including DWER protocols).
• Competence in interpreting hydrogeological modelling outputs and guiding technical teams on modelling requirements for dewatering and discharge projects.
• Tertiary qualifications in Hydrogeology, Environmental Science, Geology, or related field.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with experience interacting with regulators, Traditional Owners, and community stakeholders.

Benefits

• Live Your Best Life! Our benefits give you access to deals, discounts, and support that help you unlock the important things in life – Health, Family, Recreation and Your Future with MinRes.
• We invest in your career through leadership development, technical upskilling, and strategic planning exposure at the highest level.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance