Senior Assessor, Responsible Mining

ERM Consultants Canada Ltd. in; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM Certification and Verification Services (CVS) seeks a Lead Auditor with strong auditing experience in the mining and metals sector to lead third-party certification and assurance across ISO management system standards and responsible mining frameworks. The role emphasizes technical leadership, stakeholder engagement, and international travel.

You will evaluate conformance and ESG performance, develop audit plans, and mentor junior auditors while upholding independence and integrity in all

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline.
• Significant auditing experience in mining/metals sectors.
• Qualified or registered Lead Auditor on ISO 45001, ISO 9001, and/or related responsible mining standards.
• Strong ESG, sustainability reporting, and management system knowledge.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary audit teams and on-site audits.

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 distributed teams.
• Produce high-quality audit reports with findings and improvement opportunities.
• Provide technical leadership during planning, fieldwork, and reporting.
• Mentor auditors and support capability building.
• Engage with stakeholders, including Indigenous groups, as required by protocols.

Skills

Lead Auditor

Auditing experience

Multidisciplinary leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ISO 45001

ISO 9001

IRMA

Copper Mark

ICMM Mining Principles

ASI

ISO/IEC 17021

Job description

Senior Assessor, Responsible Mining (Project Management)

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 45001 Occupational Health & Safety 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.

Build trusted relationships with client teams and relevant stakeholders throughout the audit process.

Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of ERM CVS assurance methodologies, tools, and best practices.

Mentor developing auditors and support technical capability building across the organization.

Support business growth through thought leadership, technical expertise, and pre-audit advisory engagements.

Uphold the highest standards of independence, integrity, and professional judgment in all assurance activities.

Join ERM and help shape the future of responsible mining by delivering assurance that drives trust, transparency, and sustainable performance across the global mining industry.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world's leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our "boots to boardroom" approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.