Senior Specialist, Environmental

South32 Group Operations Pty. Ltd. • Town of Patagonia, AZ

29d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Environmental Specialist provides environmental leadership and compliance oversight for the Hermosa Project, ensuring operations are conducted in accordance with applicable permits, regulatory requirements, company standards, and sustainability commitments. This role serves as a key environmental subject matter expert, partnering closely with operations, construction, technical services, and project leadership to proactively manage environmental risks, support responsible project development, and promote a culture of environmental stewardship and continuous improvement. This role is based at the Hermosa Project site, near Patagonia, Arizona.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, Geology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• 6+ years of progressive environmental compliance experience in mining, industrial operations, energy, infrastructure, or related industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing environmental compliance programs and regulatory requirements.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet company vehicle insurance requirements.
• Ability to pass required background checks and drug screening.
• Willingness and ability to work underground, at construction sites, and in remote outdoor environments, including rough terrain.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations, permits, and company standards, including requirements related to AZPDES, APP, RCRA, SPCC, CAA, and CWA.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on environmental compliance, permitting, risk management, and environmental stewardship initiatives across the Hermosa Project.
• Implement and support environmental programs in alignment with South32 Sustainability Policy, Environment & Climate Change Standard, Environmental Management System (EMS), and other corporate requirements.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, environmental responsibility, and continuous improvement while meeting all company and MSHA safety requirements.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, regulatory agencies, government entities, consultants, contractors, and industry organizations.
• Monitor regulatory developments and emerging environmental trends, assess impacts to operations, and recommend necessary changes to compliance programs, procedures, and management systems.
• Support environmental risk identification, assessment, and mitigation efforts, and provide timely communication of environmental concerns and compliance risks to site leadership.
• Develop, implement, and maintain environmental procedures, plans, and programs necessary to support permit compliance, operational requirements, and company standards.
• Lead and participate in environmental audits, inspections, and compliance assessments of company operations and contractors, including development and tracking of corrective actions.
• Support environmental aspects of operational and project change management processes, including BMP implementation, Environmental Permit to Work reviews, new chemical evaluations, and project planning activities.
• Oversee environmental monitoring, data collection, studies, and consultant activities to ensure quality, regulatory compliance, and achievement of project objectives.
• Manage and support environmental data systems, including EarthSoft EQuIS, to ensure accurate data management, compliance tracking, analysis, and reporting.
• Prepare, review, and coordinate environmental reports, regulatory submissions, permit applications, and compliance documentation.
• Contribute to departmental and company objectives through strategic planning, budget planning, continuous improvement initiatives, and long-range environmental program development.
• Mentor and provide guidance to environmental staff and cross-functional teams to strengthen environmental awareness, compliance, and operational performance.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior