Job Description

• Exciting and unique opportunity working within an Environmental technical team focused on improving Environmental and Approval outcomes in the mining sector.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by driving innovation, engaging stakeholders, and promoting effective collaboration across multiple disciplines.
• Permanent opportunity, working Monday – Friday at our Perth head office in Central Park, with ad hoc travel to the Pilbara.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Specialist / Senior Advisor Subterranean Fauna to join our team in Perth. You will deliver technical programs and provide specialist advice on Subterranean Fauna and/or Terrestrial Short-Range Endemics to support environmental approvals, operational decision-making and long-term mine planning.

Reporting to the Principal Fauna, in the Environment and Land Access team, you will:

• Deliver technical advice and programs of work for subterranean fauna and terrestrial short-range endemic (SRE) fauna, including survey design, interpretation of ecological and taxonomic data
• Provide technical advice to inform environmental risk and impact assessments for subterranean fauna and SRE’s, including assessment of species distributions, habitat, survey adequacy, impact pathways and residual uncertainty
• Lead defined technical workstreams and contribute to strategic regional programs that improve the evidence base for future approvals and long-term mine planning, including regional surveys, research and data improvement initiatives
• Develop effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, consultants, scientific organisations, industry bodies and regulators to resolve environmental risks and uncertainties
• Develop technical scopes, oversee specialist consultants and review technical deliverables to ensure work is scientifically robust and fit for approval and operational purposes
• Support research and development, promote innovation and the use of technology to continuously improve the provision of technical and strategic advice
• Advise on the implementation and interpretation of State and Federal legislative requirements and supporting documents such as Environmental Factor Guidelines and Technical Guidance for Subterranean fauna.

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

• Proven experience in subterranean fauna and/or short-range endemic terrestrial fauna, including survey design and methods, habitat assessment, interpretation of taxonomic and molecular data, and species distribution assessment
• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate ecological data and technical reports and translate complex scientific information into practical advice for environmental approvals and business decision-making
• Knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation, environmental impact assessment and relevant technical guidance, preferably in Western Australia
• A tertiary degree in zoology, ecology, environmental science or other related discipline
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively in a team
• Effective project management, time management and problem-solving skills

Helpful for success:

• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, influence decision-making and work collaboratively across multiple disciplines
• Experience utilising GIS software

What we offer 

Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, personal & cultural leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
• Possible domestic relocation assistance

Where you'll be working

Our modern office located in Central Park Tower in Perth provides an inspiring environment for collaboration and professional growth. You'll be able to enjoy a range of benefits, including access to a modern gym, wellness programs, and convenient amenities that support a healthy work-life balance. Situated in the heart of Perth, we are close to public transport and several parking options.

Advertising closes for this role on Friday 2nd October 2026 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)

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

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

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be 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.