Jobs at Piteau Associates Engineering

Qualifications:

• Minimum BSc (Hons) degree in hydrogeology/geohydrology or geology from a recognized university, MSc preffered.
• Minimum 3 years full-time experience working as a hydrogeologist with exposure to mining projects in a consulting environment.
• Minimum registration as a Candidate Natural Scientist (Cand.Sci.Nat.), with eligibility for registration as a Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) on completion of the requisite experience.
• Strong work experience in field-based investigations in physical hydrogeology, and hydrogeological assessments including drilling and aquifer testing supervision.
• Competency in soil and rock sampling and geological soil and core logging, drilling, test pitting, well and piezometer installations, water quality sampling, and hydraulic response tests (e.g. slug, pumping, and packer testing)
• Experience with industry-standard commercial computer software including Microsoft Excel and Access, ArcGIS, and various groundwater analysis and modeling software (e.g., AquiferTest, Seep/W, and MODFLOW)
• Enthusiasm to learn and take on challenging assignments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Mobility and willingness to undertake international assignments, prospectively across all continents.
• Practical experience in the minerals sector or additional languages would be beneficial.

Experience

Skills and Responsibilities:

This position offers the opportunity for professional growth and skill development in:

• Fieldwork related to installation of groundwater and surface water monitoring networks, water quality sampling, pumping well installation and running of pumping tests;
• Groundwater / hydrogeological investigations to support mining projects;
• Design of dewatering and depressurisation systems for operational open pit and underground mines;
• Groundwater component of NEPA analysis (EIA/EIS) for proposed mines;
• Assessment and mitigation of potential environmental impacts for mining operations;
• Groundwater assessments and permitting support for water supply, dewatering and waste water disposal programs,
• Groundwater monitoring program development, implementation and support for regulatory compliance programs;
• Seepage evaluation from tailings and mine waste storage facilities; and
• Numerical and analytical modelling of groundwater flow and contaminant transport.

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Skills and Responsibilities

• Guide and develop sampling and analysis plans for the collection of statistically relevant and representative geochemical samples, based on project objectives.
• Plan and execute geochemical fieldwork including the collection of water, soil and rock samples.
• Undertake Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) and Metal leaching analysis and assessments of mining sites.
• Collate, QA/QC, analyse and interpret large geochemical datasets in terms of their mineralogy, elemental composition, acid generating vs acid neutralizing capacity, and metal leaching potential.
• Utilise predictive geochemical modelling software such as Phreeq/C and Geochemists Workbench to predict mine facility contact water quality.
• Prepare technical memoranda and reports to a high level of professional quality.
• Assist with design and planning of field data collection programs, development of safe working procedures (SOPs), and trigger action response plans/procedures (TARPs).
• Communicate complex geochemical information and interpretations to non-technical specialists either through reporting or presentations.
• Undertake project management of geochemical projects including the guidance and allocation of staff, planning and execution of project meetings, preparation and updating of project documentation, and the coordination of deliverables.

Required Qualifications 

• Degree in geoscience with specialization in geochemistry / hydro-geochemistry from a recognized university and minimum of 8 to 10 years of related work experience for the senior position. A Master’s or PhD. degree would be considered a strong asset.
• Good understanding of the fundamentals of geochemistry, mineralogy and geology.
• Demonstrated skills in critical analysis and attention to detail.
• Experience in consulting to the mining industry is preffered.
• Demonstrated track record of working on and completing multiple simultaneous work assignments, both through working independently and as part of a team.
• Strong writing and communication skills including verbal presentations and written reports.
• Expertise in aqueous geochemistry with knowledge involving mine pit lakes, waste rock management, acid-rock drainage, mitigation techniques and other work to support permitting of mine operations and closure.
• Working knowledge and proficiency with modeling software PHREEQC and/or Geochemists Workbench.
• Other software proficiency a benefit, such as Leapfrog-Geo, ARCGIS or QGIS, Python, Vulcan, Deswik.
• Understanding of surface and underground mining methods, waste rock and tailings storage facilities.
• Specific experience with hydrogeochemical modelling, including acid- rock drainage assessments and acid-base analysis.
• Experience with geochemical mass balances for input to site wide water and mass balances.
• Exposure to and experience with mine closure assessments would be advantageous.
• Willingness to manage/mentor junior staff in related positions, and to work as part of a team accross multiple continents.
• Willingness to travel globally, as well as to execute field work programs.