Hydrogeologist

Rio Tinto•Salt Lake City, UT

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Rio Tinto Kennecott is seeking a Hydrogeologist to join its Hydrogeology team in Salt Lake City, Utah. The role identifies and characterizes hydrologic risks affecting current operations and future mine development, and translates technical findings into practical guidance for site, study and project teams. It covers surface-water and groundwater management from concept and feasibility through implementation and operations, including open pit depressurization, drilling programs, data interpretation and project work. The Hydrogeologist works in a close-knit technical team and collaborates with specialists and multidisciplinary mine teams to support safe, executable mine plans and effective water-management solutions. The role reports to the Principal Hydrogeologist.

Requirements

Commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, hydrology, water resources management or a closely related discipline.
Working knowledge of groundwater or surface-water systems, including pumping infrastructure, wells and piezometers.
Experience planning, coordinating or delivering technical projects, with the ability to manage priorities and timelines in an operational environment.
Ability to analyze technical data and prepare clear written reports and recommendations for multidisciplinary stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Postgraduate qualification in engineering, hydrology, water resources management or a related discipline.
Knowledge of pipeline hydraulics, well hydraulics or fractured-rock hydrogeology.
Experience with 3D visualization software such as MineSight or Leapfrog.
Experience working with SQL-based databases.
Experience with HEC-HMS surface-water modeling.

Responsibilities

Monitor and optimize open pit and underground hydrogeological infrastructure, including piezometers, wells, drains and surface-water systems, using performance data to troubleshoot issues and inform priorities.
Develop and execute monitoring and depressurization drilling programs, including target selection, well plans, piezometer installation depths and contractor coordination.
Integrate hydrogeology priorities with Geotechnical, Mine Planning, Operations, Hydrology, Mine Water Services and underground infrastructure teams to support safe, executable plans.
Support the integration of surface-water management requirements with mine planning and operational activities.
Plan and analyze airlift and pump testing to support well design, downhole instrumentation and hydrogeological interpretation.
Review drilling conditions and hydrogeological information, including geology, geophysics and drilling data, and provide recommendations to help achieve borehole and infrastructure objectives.
Analyze and interpret open pit and underground hydrogeological data, maintain fit-for-purpose technical records, and communicate findings through clear reports and recommendations.
Coordinate technical project work and on-site contractor hydrogeologists supporting drilling, infrastructure installation and open pit depressurization activities.

Benefits

Safety-focused and inclusive working environment.
Advantageous salary package with annual cash incentive awards (STIP) for eligible employees.
Family-friendly health programs, including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
Retirement plan with up to 6% defined company contribution and 401(k) matching.
Employee share program that allows employees to purchase Rio Tinto Company shares.
Leave policies including PTO, paid holidays and paid bereavement leave.
Child-caregiver leave program with up to 100% salary top-up.
Leisure discount programs and access to Virgin Pulse with wellbeing incentives.
Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families.
Support for learning potential and career goals.