POSITION OVERVIEWThe Superintendent, Water Management is the site authority for all water management systems at Pinto Valley Mine. This role is responsible for the strategy, planning, performance, and operational governance of all water infrastructure, including water supply, distribution, reclaim, storage, and discharge systems. The role defines system constraints, operating strategies, and performance expectations that guide field execution by the Tails & Water Operations Superintendent and support tailings deposition planning led by the Tailings Governance & Engineering team. This position ensures water systems are operated safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements, while managing risk and maintaining alignment with the site water balance.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES- Water System Ownership: Own overall performance, availability, and reliability of all site water systems, regardless of which team executes field work.
- Water Management Strategy: Develop and maintain short-, medium-, and long-term water management strategies aligned with production plans, tailings deposition requirements, and regulatory constraints.
- Operational Authority: Establish operating strategies, priorities, limits, and constraints for all water systems and provide direction to the Tails & Water Operations Superintendent for execution.
- Water Balance Management: Develop, maintain, and govern the site water balance. Identify risks and opportunities related to water supply, reclaim availability, storage capacity, and extreme weather events.
- Execution Alignment & Oversight: Monitor operational performance of water systems and verify alignment with defined strategies, constraints, and performance targets. Intervene as needed to protect system integrity and compliance.
- Tailings Integration: Provide water system constraints, reclaim availability, and performance inputs to support tailings deposition plan development and Tailings Management System (TMS) governance.
- Risk Management: Identify, assess, and manage water-related risks and opportunities associated with water availability, water quality, infrastructure reliability, regulatory compliance, stakeholder concerns, watershed conditions, tailings interactions, and business continuity. Ensure critical controls and mitigation measures are defined, implemented, and monitored.
- Water Stewardship Implementation: Lead implementation of site water management plans and water stewardship initiatives. Track progress against site roadmaps, corporate standards, and performance objectives.
- Water Reporting & Disclosure: Oversee water reporting processes, regulatory reporting, corporate disclosures, ICMM-aligned reporting, and performance metrics. Ensure data quality, consistency, and traceability.
- Capital & Sustaining Projects: Define technical requirements and provide oversight for water-related capital and sustaining projects, including scope development, design criteria, and commissioning performance.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure water systems comply with permits, environmental regulations, and corporate standards. Support inspections, audits, and regulatory reporting.
- Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Establish KPIs for water system performance and prepare reports for site leadership, corporate governance, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Management of Change: Ensure changes to water system design, operation, or constraints follow formal Management of Change (MOC) processes and are appropriately reviewed and approved.
- Integrated Planning: Partner with operations, tailings, and mine planning teams to align water strategies with production plans and TSF requirements.
- Data Management & Reporting: Oversee collection, validation, and analysis of water data, including flows, storage, and usage. Develop reports and dashboards to support decision-making.
- Project Support: Support capital and sustaining projects related to water infrastructure, including design review, execution planning, and commissioning.
- Risk Management: Identify risks related to water supply, storage capacity, and extreme weather events. Develop mitigation and contingency plans.
- Watershed & Stakeholder Engagement: Support evaluation of watershed conditions, shared water risks, and external stakeholder concerns. Provide technical support for engagement with regulators, communities, water users, and industry groups on water-related matters.
- Contractor & Consultant Coordination: Manage external consultants and technical service providers supporting water modeling, studies, and system improvements.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive improvements in water management systems, tools, and processes. Support adoption of best practices and new technologies.
- Leadership & Development: Lead and develop a team of engineers and technical personnel. Provide coaching, direction, and performance management.
- Cost & Budget Management: Develop and manage budgets for water technical services. Support cost estimation and tracking for water-related initiatives.
POSITION REQUIREMENTSRequired- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Hydrology, or related discipline)
- Minimum 8-12 years of experience in water management, hydrology, or related technical roles within mining or heavy industry
- Strong understanding of water balance modeling, hydrologic systems, and industrial water infrastructure
- Experience supporting regulatory compliance and water-related permitting
- Experience in water risk assessment, water stewardship, or integrated water management within mining operations.
- Ability to interpret engineering designs, technical reports, and system data
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Effective communication skills with the ability to work across operations and technical teams
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools
- Valid driver's license
- Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
Preferred- Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain Experience with water modeling tools (GoldSim, HEC-HMS, or similar)
- Experience in copper mining or large-scale open pit operations
- Familiarity with Arizona water regulations and permitting requirement
- Familiarity with ICMM Water Stewardship Framework, water stewardship principles, or equivalent industry standards.
- Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI or similar)
- Experience with SAP or other asset/work management systems
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS- Combination of office-based technical work and field verification activities
- Regular travel across site to water infrastructure, pumping systems, pipelines, and storage areas
- Walking on uneven ground, loose rock, and wet or muddy surfaces
- Climbing ladders, stairs, and accessing elevated or remote locations
- Exposure to desert conditions, including extreme heat, sun, wind, and seasonal storms
- Work near operating heavy equipment, process plants, and active mining areas
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) in all operational areas
All candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical exam, drug and alcohol test, and background check. All positions require a pre-placement physical examination to ensure candidates are 'fit for duty'. Additional training and/or testing may be required. Capstone maintains a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
