Senior Assessor, Responsible Mining

Careermine; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM Certification and Verification Services (CVS) is seeking a Lead Auditor to guide third-party certification and assurance across ISO management system standards and responsible mining frameworks. You will lead multidisciplinary audit teams, evaluate conformance and ESG performance, and mentor junior auditors.

You will engage with clients to strengthen governance, management systems, and sustainable mining practices, traveling internationally up to 75% and leveraging your expertise in ESG

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Science, OSH, Mining Eng, Sustainability, Law, Sociology, Anthropology, Human Rights or related field.
• Significant experience auditing or implementing management systems in mining/metals sector.
• Lead Auditor status in ISO 14001/45001/50001/9001.
• Experience auditing responsible mining standards (IRMA, Copper Mark, ICMM, ASI).
• Strong ESG performance knowledge and reporting familiarity.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17021 requirements and accreditation standards.
• Experience in at least 10 audits or 3+ years with 25%+ auditing in last 5 years including on-site mining audits.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary audit teams and communicate with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills; able to present to technical and executive audiences.
• Willing to travel internationally up to 75% and not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead third-party certification and assurance audits across ISO and responsible mining frameworks.
• Evaluate conformance, effectiveness, and ESG performance against standards.
• Develop audit plans and coordinate dispersed teams.
• Produce high-quality audit reports with findings and improvements.
• Provide technical leadership throughout planning, fieldwork, and reporting.

Skills

Lead audits

Multidisciplinary teams

Stakeholder engagement

Travel up to 75%

Audit leadership

Education

Environmental Science/OSH/Mining Eng/Sustainability/Law/Sociology/Human Rights

Tools

ISO 14001

ISO 45001

ISO 50001

ISO 9001

IRMA/ICMM/ASI standards

Job description

Lead the Future of Responsible Mining and Sustainability Assurance

Are you an experienced auditor ready to influence some of the world's most complex and high-profile mining and metals operations? ERM Certification and Verification Services (CVS) is seeking a Lead Auditor who combines technical excellence, strategic thinking, and leadership capability to deliver trusted certification and assurance services across globally recognized sustainability, ESG, and management system frameworks. This is an opportunity to work with leading organizations, shape responsible mining practices worldwide, and make a measurable impact on environmental, social, and governance performance.

Why This Role Matters

Mining companies are under increasing pressure to demonstrate responsible practices, strengthen stakeholder trust, and meet evolving sustainability expectations. As a Lead Auditor with ERM CVS, you will play a critical role in helping organizations validate their performance against internationally recognized standards while driving continuous improvement across environmental, social, health and safety, human rights, and operational management systems.

Your expertise will help clients navigate complex challenges, strengthen accountability, and contribute to more sustainable and responsible mining practices globally.

What Your Impact Is

• Lead independent certification and assurance audits that support credible sustainability and ESG performance across the mining and metals sector.
• Influence business practices by identifying risks, opportunities, and performance improvements aligned with international standards.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, helping them enhance management systems, governance structures, and responsible mining practices.
• Contribute to the integrity and credibility of globally recognized certification and assurance programs.
• Mentor and develop emerging auditors while strengthening ERM CVS's technical capabilities and audit methodologies.
• Foster meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including community and Indigenous representatives, where required by audit protocols.

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, Mining Engineering, Sustainability, Law, Sociology, Anthropology, Human Rights, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience auditing and/or implementing management systems within the mining and metals sector.
• Qualified or registered Lead Auditor status in one or more of the following standards:
  • ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
  • ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems
  • ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems
  • ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
• Demonstrated experience auditing or assessing responsible mining standards such as IRMA, Copper Mark, ICMM Mining Principles, and/or Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI).
• Strong understanding of ESG performance, sustainability reporting, and management system frameworks within mining operations.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17021 requirements and certification body accreditation standards.
• Experience participating in:
  • At least 10 audits, or
  • A minimum of 3 years where auditing comprised at least 25% of assignments within the last 5 years, including participation in at least 3 on-site mining or minerals audits.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary audit teams and collaborate effectively with technical, environmental, social, and human rights specialists.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to present findings clearly to both technical and executive audiences.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 75% of the time.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Experience in Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), Indigenous rights, resettlement, or related social performance disciplines.
• Familiarity with social and human rights frameworks, including IFC Performance Standards, SA8000, and ILO Conventions.
• Knowledge of:
  • OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
  • UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
  • Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights
• Experience engaging with community stakeholders and Indigenous groups during assurance activities.
• Multilingual capabilities, particularly Spanish, Portuguese, French, or Bahasa.
• Demonstrated expertise in risk assessment, fraud detection, conflict resolution, and adaptive stakeholder communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead third-party certification and assurance audits across ISO management system standards and responsible mining frameworks, including ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 9001, IRMA, Copper Mark, ICMM Mining Principles, and ASI.
• Evaluate organizational conformance, operational effectiveness, and ESG performance against established standards and assurance criteria.
• Develop comprehensive audit plans and coordinate audit execution across geographically dispersed and multidisciplinary teams.
• Produce high-quality audit reports that clearly communicate findings, risks, opportunities for improvement, and non-conformities.
• Provide technical leadership throughout audit planning, fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and reporting activities.