Hydrogeologist

• Help shape safe, sustainable mine development by identifying and managing surface-water and groundwater risks across Rio Tinto Kennecott operations.
• Grow your technical expertise through complex hydrogeology studies, drilling programs, data interpretation and multidisciplinary mine-development work.
• Join a close-knit technical team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the opportunity to work alongside experienced water-resources specialists.

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About the role

We are looking for a Hydrogeologist to join the Hydrogeology team within Rio Tinto Kennecott in Salt Lake City, Utah. You will identify and characterize hydrologic risks affecting current operations and future mine development, then translate technical findings into practical guidance for site, study and project teams. The role spans surface-water and groundwater management from concept and feasibility through implementation and operations, with opportunities to contribute to open pit depressurization, drilling programs, data interpretation and project work.

You will work in a close-knit technical environment where people support one another and collaborate across disciplines. This is an opportunity to deepen your hydrogeology expertise while contributing to safe, executable mine plans and effective water-management solutions.

What you’ll be doing

Reporting to the Principal Hydrogeologist and working within the Hydrogeology team, you will be:

• 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 that 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.

About you

We’re looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every “helpful for success” item to apply, if you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.

Required for Success

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
• A 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.

Helpful for Success

• A 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.

What we offer

We are committed to providing our employees with a generous benefits package. Be recognized for your contribution, your way of thinking, your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress, we provide:

• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
• Advantageous salary package with annual cash incentive awards (STIP) for eligible employees
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program, which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto Company shares.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A favorable child-caregiver leave program (Up to 100% salary top-up)
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing
• Ongoing Employee Assistance Program for you and your family; to help in addressing educational opportunities, addiction treatment, depression, stress, domestic issues, financial management, and legal concerns.
• Our team and industry experts are here to support and work with you to explore your learning potential and career goals

Where you’ll be working

Rio Tinto Kennecott is a fully integrated mining operation located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, US. Kennecott is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto. For more than 110 years, Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich orebody of the Bingham Canyon Mine. Kennecott is a strong economic driver and strives to be a valuable community partner through strategic partnerships, charitable giving and sustainable development practices.

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

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.