Senior Geochemist

← Back to search results

Location

Johannesburg, South Africa

Start Date

Immediately

Company Description

Piteau Associates, a Tetra Tech company, is a world-renowned consulting firm that offers a full range of geotechnical, hydrogeological, and mine water management investigation and design services to the resource industry. With more than 45 years of service, the company currently has over 150 employees in 11 offices in Canada, USA, Peru, Chile, UK, and South Africa. With a strong dedication to quality and maintaining long-term relationships with our clients, we are one of the top mining geotechnical and hydrogeology consulting firms specializing in the design of deep open pit mines worldwide.

Available Opportunities

Piteau Associates is going through an exciting phase of growth with the addition of more than 50 employees in our Geotechnical and Water Management groups in the last few years. To keep up with this growth, we are expanding our geotechnical group capabilities with highly respected industry leaders in our operations.

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.

Why Join Piteau?

  • Exciting career development opportunities, including mentoring by world-class practice leaders

  • Cutting edge resources

  • Ability to see projects from cradle to grave

  • Engaging corporate culture based on innovation, collaboration, and integrity

  • Excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits package 

Applications

If you are interested in exploring the potential for a challenging and rewarding career with Piteau, please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document to careers@piteau.com.

Additional Information

To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required. 

Apply now

We offer a great place to work, and an engaging culture that is based on innovation, collaboration, and integrity. Our compensation plan includes a competitive hourly rate and excellent opportunities for growth and advancement.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. 

About Tetratech

Tetra Tech combines the resources of a global, multibillion-dollar company with local, client-focused delivery in more than 400 locations around the world. Our reputation rests on the technical expertise and dedication of our employees — 21,000 associates working together to provide smart, scalable solutions for challenging projects. We are proud to be home to leading technical experts in water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development.

Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity, inclusion, and equity are among Tetra Tech’s core values. Throughout our history, the company has prioritized equitable inclusion of all people. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, military or veteran status, gender, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information and any other characteristics protected by the law. We invite resumes from all interested parties, including women; First Nations persons; members of visible minority groups; and persons with disabilities. Please visit our website at www.tetratech.com to see the array of diverse services and exciting projects we are currently working on.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Please no phone calls or agencies.