Geohydrologist

Sasol Limited; Secunda; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Sasol Limited is seeking a Geohydrologist to provide expert input into water management for Sasol Mining. You will address groundwater and surface water risks, ensure compliance with water legislation and support environmental monitoring and remediation planning.

You will lead a small team, review water-related reports, and collaborate with internal stakeholders across mine sites to optimise resource use and minimise environmental impact.

Qualifications

• Degree Geohydrology/Hydrogeology (Must)
• Masters Degree Geohydrology/Hydrogeology (wish)
• 6+ relevant years as a Geohydrologist associated with underground mining operations (preferably coal)

Responsibilities

• Manage 3 x Water Practitioners including performance reviews and development.
• Provide specialist input on surface- and groundwater and contaminated land.
• Monitor and improve water management and monitoring practices.
• Ensure monitoring plans align with water use approvals and environmental permits.
• Review and update the Underground Water Management System (UWMS) models and data.

Education

Geohydrology/Hydrogeology degree

Geohydrology/Hydrogeology (Masters)

Job description

Geohydrologist

Sasol is a global integrated chemicals and energy company with a 75-year heritage. Through our talented people, we use our expertise and selected technologies to safely and sustainably source, manufacture and market chemical and energy products globally. When you join Team Sasol, you are joining a company that puts people at the center of everything we do.

Sasol invests in its employees along every stage of the career path and offers development opportunities to help you cultivate your career in a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion.

Purpose of Job

To provide geohydrology and hydrology specialist input into water management at Sasol Mining and to support the business to identify and address water related risks, adhere to water related legislation and policies, and improve water management and monitoring practices. The incumbent will work within the framework of the Sasol SHE game plan and is a key input in the formulation of Environmental tactical objective setting, practical water management and monitoring for Sasol Mining operations.

Key Accountabilities

Management:

• Manage 3 x Water Practitioners that are responsible for monitoring and sampling. Including but not limited to annual performance reviews, coaching and development.
• Demonstrate the One Sasol way behaviour – ensure your area under control is managed to the benefit of the larger Sasol value chain.
• Support the one Sasol SHE Excellence Approach and provide specialist input into portfolio specific environmental plans.
• Ensure that portfolio specific activities are being conducted in accordance with the one Sasol SHE Excellence Approach.
• Keep abreast with surface water and groundwater related challenges and potential remediating practices.

Specialist/Technical input:

• Provide specialist input with regards to surface- and groundwater as well as contaminated land identification and remediation.
• Participate in the process of understanding the root cause - own the problem definition and support the development of solutions to relevant stakeholders.
• Specialist input and support into reducing our current environmental footprint and minimise the negative impact on people and the water environment.
• Using demonstrable expert knowledge, attention to detail and team dynamics to solve complex technical problems.
• Share expert knowledge in own team and at all other levels / forums (e.g. COP’s, bow-ties, etc.)
• Peer review all water related specialist reports for projects and provide specialist advice / recommendations.
• Responsible for the investigation of landowner complaints with regards to water.
• Generating ideas to solve water related problems/challenges and exploit opportunities from an environmental perspective to assist with effective resource utilization and practices.
• Support and advise operational areas on any issues/challenges related to water.
• Review and monitor the monthly UWMS reports from Strategic Planning and provide specialist advice as required.
• Sustain own high performance and seek opportunities for personal growth monitored through structured performance contract and development plan
• Establish business specific risks through the compilation and updating of the required risk assessments related to water management, monitoring, loss of containment (incidents) and potential loss of compliance.
• Report the risk and support business to find solutions in addressing risk.
• Addressing environmental water challenges within Sasol Mining's overall sustainability approach to mitigate business risks.

Compliance management:

• Ensure that all operations have up to date monitoring plans/programmes in line with the approved water use authorisations and environmental approvals.
• Assess portfolio specific legal compliance status of all permits, licenses and authorisations and facilitate implementation of corrective actions/recommendations and practical solutions
• Consult on the prevention and addressing of environmental contamination (e.g. land, waste and water) due to Sasol Mining operations and associated activities.
• Compile high quality biannual (Jan-Jun and Jul-Dec) monitoring reports for Impumelelo, Shondoni, Thubelisha and Bosjesspruit must be complied for sign-off by the operations and submission to Government by the Central Department. These are in support of environmental compliance.
• Peer review biannual reports for Syferfontein, Mooikraal, Sasol Coal Supply (SCS) and Sasol Destoning Plant (SDP)
• Form part of Sasol Mining audit team for mining operations on a bi – annual basis or as required on an ad – hoc basis.

Monitoring and data-base management:

• Ensure governance of practices relating to water, including monitoring and audits.
• Compare and benchmark water monitoring equipment and software applications for use at Sasol Mining to establish the portfolio specific risks.
• Management and improvement of mines’ water chemistry and water level data bases and backups.
• Ensure monthly monitoring of underground water compartment boreholes and expand the monitoring programme if required.
• Provide the water level readings to the Manager Mine Water Planning (Strategic Planning Department) as required.
• Ensure that monitoring of environmental performance (water and effluent) is conducted, recorded and reported as required.
• Take ownership of the water monitoring process including the necessary due diligence relating to data accuracy, reporting and integrity on monitored sites including taking the necessary action in case of deviations from the Sasol standard.
• Review, conceptualise, build and update the Sasol Mining underground water balance, known as the Underground Water Management System (UWMS), for all operational and defunct mining operations on an annual basis or as required on an ad-hoc basis.
• Engage all necessary stakeholders to ensure data used in water models are received timeously, in the correct formats, as requested.
• Conduct the necessary due diligence to ensure defensible scientific accuracy is obtained from the produced models and conduct regular calibration checks to ensure accuracy is maintained.

Relationships:

• Ensure and advise operational areas that there is a system in place to monitor, measure and facilitate legal compliance and risk management and advise where improvements can be made.
• Establish and sustain effective working relationships with relevant internal stakeholders (i.e. mines, surface plants, Land and Rights Department, Mine Closure, Strategic Planning, etc.)
• Establish and sustain effective working relationships with relevant external stakeholders (i.e. external consultants, constractors, regulatory bodies etc)

Formal Education

• Degree Geohydrology/Hydrogeology (Must)
• Masters Degree Geohydrology/Hydrogeology (wish)
• 6+ relevant years as a Geohydrologist associated with underground mining operations (preferably coal).

Required Personal and Professional Skills

BC_Business Insight

TC_SHE Policies, Procedures and Standards

BC_Balances Stakeholders

BC_Ensures Accountability

Sasol is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Inspired by our Purpose of “Innovating for a better world”, Sasol acknowledges that diversity is intrinsic to the fabric of our organisation and is the key to our growth and success. Sasol is committed to the full inclusion of all suitably qualified individuals. Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups and people with disabilities according to Sasol’s Employment Equity Plan. This includes reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.