Environmental Advisor

Roles and Responsibilities

Job Duties

Projects and Environmental Impact

• Manage contractors appointed to handle all biodiversity and land management activities for the mine and provide any necessary support to contractors in executing their responsibilities, such as purchasing of herbicides, development of novel tools, and implementation of more efficient methodologies for undertaking the assigned work.
• Oversee implementation of the wetland restoration programme which is a critical part of the offset development.
• Develop an annual operational plan (alien invasive species control, controlled burning, firebreaks, non-mine access tracks, planting, and maintenance of visual barriers) and ensure it is implemented successfully.
• Develop the veld fire emergency response plan, respond to callouts, and coordinate response.
• Ensure stakeholder engagement meetings take place and resolutions are implemented.
• Maintain registration with local fire protection association (ZFPA), purchase and maintain required firefighting equipment (including bakkie sakkies, beaters, rake hoes, etc.).
• Provide support / guidance to mine planners with regards to species identification, rehabilitation programmes and with any necessary support, such as selecting appropriate topsoil stockpile areas/sites for medium- to long-term storage of topsoil.
• Review specialists reports on Biodiversity and Land Use Management, including the offset management plan currently under development.
• Plan firebreaks, set up firebreak agreements with neighbours as necessary, implement the scheduled maintenance.
• Manage contractors, select and purchase herbicides, compile and implement annual plan, research control methodologies and guide contractors.
• Implement the Environmental policy and procedures on a regional level comply with environmental regulations.
• Provide input/advice to colleagues which will assist in achieving regulatory compliance within the mine environment.
• Participate in audits of environmental systems, program certification and providing content for discipline training.
• Support Line Management of the various Business Units in the regional unit with regards to Environmental compliance.
• Create awareness of environmental-friendly activities, address all unsafe practices.
• Ensure regular Environmental inspections are conducted and that good housekeeping practices are upheld.
• Provide input to management of land undergoing preparation for mining, e.g., management/disposal of stumps and plantation residue.
• Provide guidance on practical solutions for erosion control, incident clean up in biodiversity conservation areas/ecologically sensitive areas, etc.
• Manage annual budget.
• Provide support to the analysis of environmental specific incidents within the regional unit to enable Tronox to take corrective action.

Compliance, Governance and Assurance

• Implement effective SHE management systems for own job and for the section.
• Update and report on Environmental risk assessment on a regional level.
• Adhere to the requirements of quality management systems put in place to monitor the execution of processes and the performance of Business Units within a regional unit.
• Manage and conduct reporting requirements both for external and internal stakeholders.

Service Management

• Execute responsibilities in a manner that is in accordance to guidelines and standards associated with quality service delivery of Environmental services.
• Deliver responsibilities in a manner that is aligned to the services framework and consistent with customer agreements.
• Identify service performance improvement opportunities associated with area of responsibility.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of reporting and statistics services to Zincor and applicable Tronox customers.

Customer and Client Relationship Management

• Provide the Environmental Operational Support resources with the report writing framework and processes and systems for central data and document management.
• Assist in the evaluation of discipline-specific standards, principles, and practice to enable planning, design and implementation of environmental outcomes that support the business strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, Ecology, Biology, Botany, or equivalent qualification with NQF7.
• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent qualification at NQF 8 will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA), its associated subordinate legislation, and other relevant prescripts that deal with biodiversity matters is essential.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant practical Biodiversity and Land Management experience (Mandatory).
• Experience in mine rehabilitation, mine land use management planning, protected areas management, Biodiversity offset management and wetland management (Mandatory).
• Extensive practical experience in the management of biodiversity, including protected area management within a production landscape, and the ability to switch between practical implementation and conceptual thinking will be advantageous.

Primary Location: Fairbreeze Mine, Mtunzini

Employment Type: Permanent