Environmental Specialist – Waste and Closure

• Join a leader in mining & metals organization offering outstanding personal development & global career opportunities
• Work with the latest technology and innovation, in an environment where we challenge you to drive positive change
• A company with a world class reputation for safety performance and inclusion – based in Boron, CA, with responsibilities across a number of US and international operations

The opportunity

We are looking for an Environmental Specialist – Waste and Closure to provide technical expertise and support for Rio Tinto Borates and Lithium’s California Operations waste management and closure programs. The role has interactions with regulators and key California Operations personnel. The role will also partner with contractors to support the delivery of services and projects to appropriate environmental standards.

Due to the extensive environmental regulations in California, the role is heavily focused on providing technical advice to operations on matters relating to waste and closure, implementation of the waste management program, revision and management of the site closure plan, technical writing associated with these areas, as well as to support appropriate and timely permitting of projects and maintaining license to operate for ongoing operations.

This role is a great opportunity to be a part of the California Operations environmental team and be a part of the development innovative environmental solutions to maintain business continuity while maintaining our license to operate.

Reporting to the Environmental Superintendent, you will be:

• Providing your technical expertise on waste and closure to assist the business in making appropriate decisions to limit environmental impacts and maintain license to operate;
• Analyzing and interpreting waste and closure data and writing regulatory and internal technical reports;
• Liaising with regulators as appropriate on waste and closure permitting;
• Providing advice as required on waste and closure requirements for new projects, as well as for ongoing operations;
• Proactively working with operations on environmental issues; and
• Delivering waste and closure projects and other work, as directed.

About you

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• A degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or equivalent program, or 10+ years of experience working on waste and/or closure projects within the mining sector;
• Experience and knowledge in managing waste and closure management programs;
• Experience in environmental management within the mining sector, heavy industry, or equivalent;
• Good communication skills including the ability to make presentations and conduct training internally;
• Ability to work collaboratively and successfully in a team setting; and
• Knowledge of California and US environmental legislation, especially those related to waste and closure management.

It will also be beneficial if you have:

• Experience in engaging with regulators; and
• An understanding of standards, policies, and strategies as they relate to environmental management.

What we offer

We are committed to providing our employees with a generous benefits package. Be recognized for your contribution, your 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 (EAP) 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

About Rio Tinto

Every idea, every innovation, every little thing the world calls ‘progress’ begins with a first step, and someone willing to take it: explorers, inventors, entrepreneurs. Pioneers.

For nearly 150 years, Rio Tinto has been a company of pioneers – generations of people spanning the globe, all with the grit and vision to produce materials essential to human progress.

Borates are a key ingredient in fertilizers, glass manufacture, and household construction products. Lithium will help electrify the world.

Our iron ore has shaped skylines from Shanghai to Sydney. Our aluminium – the world’s first to be certified “responsible” – helps planes fly and makes cars lighter. Our copper helps wind turbines power cities, and our boron helps feed the world and explore the universe. Our diamonds help us celebrate the best parts of life.

Where you will be working

Rio Tinto Borates is a global leader in industrial mineral supply and science. We supply approximately 25% of the world’s demand for refined borates, minerals essential to life and modern living. We seek to create mutual value by working closely with our investment partners and host communities. Our 20 Mule Team Borax brand pays tribute to our first borates mining operation in Death Valley in 1872.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

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

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.