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Job Description

Role Summary

Albemarle is looking for an experienced water resource and permitting professional to join our Lithium Resources Group to manage current and future lithium resource projects.

The Water Resources and Permitting Lead will manage project, operational and corporate stakeholders with technical and permitting expertise to ensure the success of Albemarle’s global lithium business. The primary responsibilities of the role will include scoping and planning of environmental baseline characterization campaigns, development of technical risk and environmental impacts assessments, support of mine design options assessments, and the preparation of associated permit applications. Given the pace of growth and investment, the Water Resources and Permitting Lead will operate with skill and flexibility across various technical support and project responsibilities.

This position is part of the lithium resources organization reporting to the Mine Environmental & Approvals Manager. The position is based between our Kings Mountain and Charlotte offices located in North Carolina. Periodic travel within the USA and internationally may be required.

Essential Functions

• Manage the scoping, planning and execution of all environmental assessments related to mine development alternatives and associated impacts. This includes technical assessments related to pit/aquifer dewatering, stream discharge assessments, surface water management, erosion modeling, soil contamination, seepage, tailings dam safety, etc.

• Manage the preparation of applicable county, state, and federal regulatory permit applications. This includes short- and long-term permitting that will be required.

• Provide subject matter expert support for the internal stakeholder engagement process to build an understanding of technical alternatives and impacts assessments related to mine design.

• Collaborate and provide subject matter expert knowledge within the larger lithium resources group to ensure mine development projects align with industry best practice for environmental management, water stewardship and sustainability. This includes design, construction, commissioning, and operational timeframes.

• Manage the preparation of budget estimates related to technical assessments, studies, and permitting.

• When required, support the development of internal policy and standards related to environmental management, water stewardship and sustainability.

• Provide subject matter expert support in the assessment of water stewardship and regulatory performance of our existing operations. Influence improvement initiatives to ensure best in class performance.

Competencies

• Action oriented with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and be self-directed

• Ability to think critically and strategically

• Ability to distill complexity and assess technical risk 

• Strong project and technical acumen

• Strong problem solving and analysis skills

• Ability to communicate effectively

• Team player with the ability to proactively engage and collaborate.

• Ability to influence across different functions

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum: Bachelors degree in engineering (environmental, water resources, civil, chemical), hydrogeology, geochemistry, or environmental science.  

• 10 to 15+ years of experience in the mining industry.

• Experience scoping and executing environmental baseline campaigns to support mine site characterization and impacts assessments.

• Experience leading prefeasibility, feasibility and detailed design studies for mine development projects. Experience in some (or all) of the following would be considered an asset:

  • Options assessments for waste rock dumps, tailings, and other mining infrastructure,

  • Tailings and waste rock seepage modeling,

  • Geochemical characterization of waste materials,

  • Comprehensive surface and groundwater modeling to support dewatering assessments and downstream impacts,

  • Water treatment assessments for various mine waters.

• Experience leading mine permitting activities including completing technical assessments (above), preparation of permits, and coordination with agencies. Experience in some (or all) of the following would be considered an asset:

  • Preparation and advancing state and federal mine approvals permitting (NEPA),

  • Permitting for mine site and water treatment discharge (NPDES),

  • Development of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP),

  • Development of reclamation plans and associated bonding for mine approvals.

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