Superintendent Water Management

Job Description

Job Description

WHAT WE OFFER

• Your journey with Capstone Copper starts here. At Capstone, our people are the heart of our organization. We are focused on growth and are committed to unlocking the full potential of ourselves, our teams and our resources. We invest in our people to develop a skilled and engaged workforce, not only for today, but for the future. If you are looking for a purposeful, performance-driven and dynamic work environment, join us!
• Pinto Valley is an open-pit copper mine located at the west end of the historic Globe-Miami mining district of central Arizona, approximately 80 miles east of Phoenix. Pinto Valley has been in operation since 1972 and has produced more than four billion pounds of copper. Acquired by Capstone from BHP in 2013, the mine is fully permitted through 2039 and a study is underway to potentially extend the mine life through 2050.
• Our proximity to the Greater Phoenix metro area provides prospective employees with the option to live in communities such as Mesa, Apache Junction, Gilbert, Chandler, San Tan Valley, or Florence. Our location offers a unique work-life balance, blending the rewarding opportunities of the mining industry with easy access to the vibrant energy of Downtown Phoenix, making it an ideal choice for both individuals and their families.
• Capstone employees are eligible for an extensive total rewards package, designed to support your physical, mental, financial, and emotional well-being. This package includes, but is not limited to:
• 401(k) Savings Plan – Eligible from day one, contribute up to 30% of your salary with a dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6%, fully vested immediately.
• Retirement Boost – The company contributes 8.5% of your salary, increasing to 14.2% after reaching the Social Security wage base, with 100% immediate vesting.
• Employee Share Purchase Plan – After three months, contribute 2% to 7% of your salary (max $5,000/year) to buy company shares, with a 50% company match, fully vested upon grant.
• Annual Short Term Incentive Bonus – Up to 20%
• 4-day, 10-hour work schedule
• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits (effective on start date), including Telehealth options and additional supplemental insurances
• Disability and Life Insurance (effective on start date)
• Paid time-off, including vacation, holidays, sick leave, and parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Internal progression opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Discounted insurance plans for pets, automobiles and homes
• Relocation assistance is available

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Superintendent, Water Management is the site authority for all water management systems at Pinto Valley Mine. This role is responsible for the strategy, planning, performance, and operational governance of all water infrastructure, including water supply, distribution, reclaim, storage, and discharge systems. The role defines system constraints, operating strategies, and performance expectations that guide field execution by the Tails & Water Operations Superintendent and support tailings deposition planning led by the Tailings Governance & Engineering team. This position ensures water systems are operated safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements, while managing risk and maintaining alignment with the site water balance.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Water System Ownership: Own overall performance, availability, and reliability of all site water systems, regardless of which team executes field work.
• Water Management Strategy: Develop and maintain short-, medium-, and long-term water management strategies aligned with production plans, tailings deposition requirements, and regulatory constraints.
• Operational Authority : Establish operating strategies, priorities, limits, and constraints for all water systems and provide direction to the Tails & Water Operations Superintendent for execution.
• Water Balance Management: Develop, maintain, and govern the site water balance. Identify risks and opportunities related to water supply, reclaim availability, storage capacity, and extreme weather events.
• Execution Alignment & Oversight: Monitor operational performance of water systems and verify alignment with defined strategies, constraints, and performance targets. Intervene as needed to protect system integrity and compliance.
• Tailings Integration: Provide water system constraints, reclaim availability, and performance inputs to support tailings deposition plan development and Tailings Management System (TMS) governance.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and manage water-related risks and opportunities associated with water availability, water quality, infrastructure reliability, regulatory compliance, stakeholder concerns, watershed conditions, tailings interactions, and business continuity. Ensure critical controls and mitigation measures are defined, implemented, and monitored.
• Water Stewardship Implementation: Lead implementation of site water management plans and water stewardship initiatives. Track progress against site roadmaps, corporate standards, and performance objectives.
• Water Reporting & Disclosure: Oversee water reporting processes, regulatory reporting, corporate disclosures, ICMM-aligned reporting, and performance metrics. Ensure data quality, consistency, and traceability.
• Capital & Sustaining Projects: Define technical requirements and provide oversight for water-related capital and sustaining projects, including scope development, design criteria, and commissioning performance.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure water systems comply with permits, environmental regulations, and corporate standards. Support inspections, audits, and regulatory reporting.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Establish KPIs for water system performance and prepare reports for site leadership, corporate governance, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Management of Change: Ensure changes to water system design, operation, or constraints follow formal Management of Change (MOC) processes and are appropriately reviewed and approved.
• Integrated Planning: Partner with operations, tailings, and mine planning teams to align water strategies with production plans and TSF requirements.
• Data Management & Reporting: Oversee collection, validation, and analysis of water data, including flows, storage, and usage. Develop reports and dashboards to support decision-making.
• Project Support: Support capital and sustaining projects related to water infrastructure, including design review, execution planning, and commissioning.
• Risk Management: Identify risks related to water supply, storage capacity, and extreme weather events. Develop mitigation and contingency plans.
• Watershed & Stakeholder Engagement: Support evaluation of watershed conditions, shared water risks, and external stakeholder concerns. Provide technical support for engagement with regulators, communities, water users, and industry groups on water-related matters.
• Contractor & Consultant Coordination: Manage external consultants and technical service providers supporting water modeling, studies, and system improvements.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive improvements in water management systems, tools, and processes. Support adoption of best practices and new technologies.
• Leadership & Development: Lead and develop a team of engineers and technical personnel. Provide coaching, direction, and performance management.
• Cost & Budget Management: Develop and manage budgets for water technical services. Support cost estimation and tracking for water-related initiatives.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Hydrology, or related discipline)
• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in water management, hydrology, or related technical roles within mining or heavy industry
• Strong understanding of water balance modeling, hydrologic systems, and industrial water infrastructure
• Experience supporting regulatory compliance and water-related permitting
• Experience in water risk assessment, water stewardship, or integrated water management within mining operations.
• Ability to interpret engineering designs, technical reports, and system data
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Effective communication skills with the ability to work across operations and technical teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English

Preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain Experience with water modeling tools (GoldSim, HEC-HMS, or similar)
• Experience in copper mining or large-scale open pit operations
• Familiarity with Arizona water regulations and permitting requirement
• Familiarity with ICMM Water Stewardship Framework, water stewardship principles, or equivalent industry standards.
• Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI or similar)
• Experience with SAP or other asset/work management systems

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Combination of office-based technical work and field verification activities
• Regular travel across site to water infrastructure, pumping systems, pipelines, and storage areas
• Walking on uneven ground, loose rock, and wet or muddy surfaces
• Climbing ladders, stairs, and accessing elevated or remote locations
• Exposure to desert conditions, including extreme heat, sun, wind, and seasonal storms
• Work near operating heavy equipment, process plants, and active mining areas
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) in all operational areas

All candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical exam, drug and alcohol test, and background check. All positions require a pre-placement physical examination to ensure candidates are 'fit for duty’. Additional training and/or testing may be required. Capstone maintains a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

CAPSTONE COPPER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.