Water Sampling Technician

Rio Tinto; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Rio Tinto Kennecott seeks a Water Sampling Technician to support compliance and environmental monitoring across facilities. You will collect groundwater and surface-water samples, operate field equipment and ensure data accuracy in line with QA/QC requirements.

This permanent role emphasizes field-based work, attention to detail, and building hands-on experience in environmental monitoring within a major industrial operation near Magna, UT.

Qualifications

• Commitment to safety of yourself and others across field and lab activities.
• Practical exposure to environmental field sampling or related technical environment.
• Knowledge of water sampling methods, chemical analysis and QA/QC principles.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and access active industrial sites safely.
• Strong organization, record-keeping and written communication; proficient with Word/Excel.

Responsibilities

• Collect and preserve groundwater and surface-water samples from designated locations.
• Operate groundwater sampling equipment using purge/no-purge methods and HydraSleeve where required.
• Measure field parameters, document data, and compare with regulatory limits.
• Maintain and calibrate field equipment to protect sample integrity and data quality.
• Troubleshoot pumps and coordinate repairs of monitoring wells and site infrastructure.
• Plan field activities against sampling schedules and work independently in remote areas.
• Complete chain-of-custody records and data entry into the LIMS.
• Organize environmental data, support graphs/reports, and follow health, safety and ops requirements.

Skills

Safety mindset

Field sampling

Data entry

Driver's license

Education

Geology / Chemistry / Environmental Science degree

Tools

HydraSleeve sampling

Job description

Water Sampling Technician

• Support environmental monitoring across Rio Tinto Kennecott facilities
• Build hands‑on experience with groundwater and surface‑water sampling, field instrumentation and environmental data
• Work independently in the field while partnering with laboratory, environmental and operational teams
• Full-time role in Magna, UT

We’re Finding Better Ways to provide the materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values, care, courage and curiosity, guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About the role

We are looking for a Water Sampling Technician to support compliance and operational environmental monitoring across Rio Tinto Kennecott facilities. You will collect and preserve groundwater and surface‑water samples, operate and maintain field equipment, document sampling activities and help ensure environmental data is accurate, reliable and collected in accordance with quality requirements.

This permanent role is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys field‑based work, brings strong attention to detail and wants to build practical experience in environmental monitoring within a complex industrial operation.

Reporting to the Environmental Superintendent, Water Quality and working with the Water Quality team and Kennecott Environmental Laboratory, you will be:

What you’ll be doing

• Collect and preserve water samples from groundwater wells, outfalls, ponds, streams, canals and other designated monitoring locations in accordance with sampling plans and quality assurance and quality control requirements.
• Operate groundwater sampling equipment using approved purge and no‑purge methods, including HydraSleeve® sampling where required.
• Measure and document field parameters, interpret groundwater quality data and trends, and compare field results with applicable compliance limits and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain, calibrate, inspect and decontaminate field equipment to protect sample integrity and environmental data quality.
• Troubleshoot sampling pumps and field equipment, coordinate the repair and maintenance of monitoring wells and other site infrastructure, and elevate issues when necessary.
• Plan and prioritize field activities against established sampling schedules, including working independently in remote and active operational areas.
• Complete chain‑of‑custody records, field documentation and accurate data entry into the Laboratory Information Management System.
• Organize and review environmental data, support graphs, figures, reports and follow‑up actions, and follow all applicable health, safety and operational requirements during field and office work.

About you

To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and others, with the ability to follow field, laboratory and site requirements consistently.
• Practical exposure to environmental field sampling, monitoring, laboratory work or a related technical environment. Relevant education in geology, chemistry, environmental science, materials science or a related field is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, water sampling methods, chemical analysis, laboratory procedures and quality assurance and quality control principles.
• The ability and willingness to work outdoors in varying weather and field conditions and to safely access designated areas across an active industrial property.
• Strong organization, record‑keeping and written communication skills, with confidence using Microsoft Word, Excel and data management applications.
• The ability to work accurately and independently while collaborating effectively with others. A valid driver’s license and a safe driving record are required.

What we offer

Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you have helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus
• Access to top‑tier family‑friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage and various voluntary benefits
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution and a generous 401(k) matching program
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Comprehensive leave policies covering the moments that matter, including paid time off, paid holidays and paid bereavement leave
• A generous parental leave policy to support quality time with your new family
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Personify Health with incentives supporting your wellbeing
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, providing confidential counseling or expert guidance for you and your family

Where you’ll be working

Our Kennecott mine is a world‑class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.

Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to the posting end 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

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.