Water Resources Engineer

Job Description

Kuna is looking for a Water Resources Engineer to lead technical scopes of work and assessments in support of evaluation and permitting of the APDES Compliance Program for large Alaskan mines. This role involves developing technical scopes of work, analyzing water quality data, evaluating water and load balance scenarios using GoldSim, and preparing technical memorandums and reports. The ideal candidate must have a strong background in water management, water treatment, water and load balance modeling, water quality monitoring and permitting specific to mining operations in Alaska.

This person will be seconded into client’s organization, through the end of 2027, with the opportunity to extend into the future. The person will live onsite at the mine 1 week a month, have 1 week a month off, and work a normal 40-hour workweek the other 2 weeks a month (from home or the office).

Responsibilities

• Run scenario analyses using a Goldsim model to evaluate operational changes, climate variability, treatment alternatives, and risk ‑ based decision frameworks. Communicate model assumptions, uncertainties, and results.
• Develop detailed scopes of work for surface water management studies, water treatment system and technology evaluations, engineering designs, and water balance model evaluations. Define technical requirements, deliverables, modeling approaches, and QA/QC expectations for consultant teams.
• Manage external consultants executing technical scopes of work. Review the consultant deliverables for technical accuracy, constructability, and integration with mine planning, closure strategies, and environmental commitments. Lead technical review cycles, validating assumptions, design criteria, and cost estimates provided by external engineering firms.
• Lead the analysis of large water quality datasets (surface water, groundwater, effluent, seepage) to identify trends, anomalies, and compliance risks.
• Develop defensible datasets and statistical evaluations (e.g., background determinations, mixing zone analyses, load calculations) to support environmental permitting and reporting.
• Prepare technical documentation for APDES permits, state discharge permits, water rights applications, and environmental impact assessments. Coordinate with environmental teams to ensure monitoring programs meet regulatory requirements and support predictive modeling needs. Ensure quality assurance and control (QA/QC) of field data and deliverables.
• Prepare materials for internal technical working group discussions and to support decision making on program / study scopes. Prepare materials for community and regulator engagements to support permitting, compliance, and public reviews.
• Other duties to support the advance and report on environmental baseline studies will be assigned on an as needed basis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related discipline
• 7 years of progressive experience in water resources engineering with proven ability to lead water resource components of large, multidisciplinary mining projects. Prior experience with mining operations in Alaska, including development, operational, and reclamation phases is preferable.
• Advanced knowledge and depth of experience in mine water management and developing integrated water management strategies.
• Proficiency in water balance and load balance modeling specifically using GoldSim.
• Proficient in using Equis database software for data entry, validation, reporting, and multi ‑ source data management.
• Excellent technical writing skills and experience preparing environmental documentation for regulatory review.
• Ability to work in remote field conditions, including travel by helicopter, small aircraft, boat, or ATV.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record for the past three (3) years to be eligible under company vehicle insurance policy.
• Familiarity of water treatment processes (e.g., physical, chemical, biological treatment) and treatment system design preferred.
• Familiarity with geochemical processes affecting mine water quality, including acid rock drainage and metal leaching preferred
• In-depth understanding of federal, state, and local water-related regulations (e.g., NPDES, Clean Water Act, state mining permits). Experience preparing technical documentation for environmental impact assessments, water management plans, and permitting packages preferred.