Senior Specialist, Geotechnical and Hydro

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.
Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.
Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Purpose

The role will provide site-based geotechnical and tailings engineering support to the operation, with a focus on practical implementation, monitoring, construction follow-up, technical documentation and day-to-day coordination with site teams, consultants, contractors and the Designer of Record / Engineer of Record interface. The role is intended to strengthen the site technical team and improve the quality and continuity of geotechnical inputs used for planning, execution and operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

This position will be required to adhere to all relevant requirements, policies, procedures and legal regulations pertaining to health, safety, environment and quality, as well as finance, human resources, and any other regulations as required by the company and relevant to the level of the role and responsibilities of the function.

• Support routine geotechnical and tailings inspections, monitoring reviews and follow-up of site actions.
• Assist with survey, geometry and volumetric checks for tailings storage facilities, embankments, borrow areas and related infrastructure.
• Compile and present monitoring data, including piezometers, pond levels, rainfall, survey monuments and deformation data.
• Support deposition planning, operating scenarios and short-term site planning where required.
• Assist with construction monitoring, QA/QC follow-up, drainage works and earthworks tracking.
• Review drawings, technical reports and consultant deliverables at first-pass level and extract actions, assumptions, risks and follow-up items.
• Maintain action trackers, dashboards, site records and document-control registers.
• Support implementation of OMS requirements, TARPs, design-change control and risk-register updates.
• Coordinate with operations, construction teams, survey, consultants, contractors and Group technical support as required.
• Provide practical technical input to help close site actions and maintain continuity between inspections, reporting and execution.

Qualifications

• BTech / BEngTech / BSc / BEng in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A postgraduate qualification in geotechnical engineering, tailings, mine waste, or water management would be beneficial but is not essential.
• Professional registration or progress toward registration would be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in geotechnical engineering, tailings, mine waste, earthworks, water management, or mining infrastructure.
• Practical site experience with tailings storage facilities, embankments, construction monitoring, deposition planning, geotechnical investigations or related mine infrastructure.
• Experience working with site operations, survey teams, contractors and external consultants.
• Exposure to monitoring data review, QA/QC documentation, construction records and technical reporting.
• Experience in a mining environment would be preferred.

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• High level of safety and environmental awareness.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The role will be primarily site-based, supporting day-to-day operational and technical requirements. The initial focus will be on Zambian operations, with possible support to other sites as required. The position will require regular field presence, coordination with operations and construction teams, and office-based technical work to compile data, prepare reports and close actions.