Senior Project Geologist
- Permanent full-time opportunity with competitive remuneration package
- Location: Mount Thorley, NSW (Hunter Valley) | Travel: NSW & QLD sites (25-50%)
- Work pattern: Monday–Friday at Mount Thorley, roster patterns available at some sites
- Make your mark across multiple operations
This is a high‑impact role where no two days are the same. As Yancoal’s Senior Project Geologist, you’ll lead exploration programs, advance resource knowledge across several long‑life assets, and shape how data informs strategy. You’ll switch seamlessly between technical delivery and on‑site leadership—backed by a stable, highly skilled team that values collaboration, safety and innovation.
About the Business
About Yancoal
For over 20 years, Yancoal has supported Australia’s prosperity. With 4,500+ employees across operations in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, we own, operate or participate in nine producing coal mines. Learn more about life at Yancoal on our LinkedIn page.
Our Commitment
At Yancoal, we’re proud of our people and everything we achieve together as One Yancoal. We’re committed to responsible exploration, strong data governance, and supporting long‑term, sustainable operations. We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ people. Yancoal Australia is a WORK180 Endorsed Employer and is committed to ensuring all employees can thrive in an inclusive workplace.
If this is sounding like what you might be looking for in your next role apply today to start an exciting new journey with us.
Job Tasks and Responsibilities
Why you’ll love this role
- Influence & autonomy: Own projects end‑to‑end with strong organisational support and clear decision rights.
- Variety & visibility: Work across multiple sites within a major Australian resources business.
- Career growth: Formal career development plan with pathways into superintendent, resource geology, operations and technical leadership roles.
- Great team culture: Low turnover, pragmatic leadership, and peers who genuinely invest in each other’s success.
- Balanced work: Mix of field leadership, modelling, planning and stakeholder collaboration.
- Backed to succeed: Established structure, guidance and team support needed to deliver your projects confidently
What you’ll do
Reporting to the Exploration Superintendent, you will be a part of a dynamic and motivated team. The role will require you to:
- Plan, manage and execute exploration programs that deliver critical data to our operations.
- Lead contractors and field teams on site, driving safety, quality and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with Technical Services on exploration plans, budgets, site access, environmental and cultural heritage compliance, and safety management.
- Build and maintain robust resource knowledge and life‑of‑asset exploration plans aligned to operational needs.
- Ensure data integrity—collation, practical validation/QA, and structured storage and governance.
- Contribute to resource estimation workflows consistent with the JORC Code and support special projects.
Tools & tech you’ll use
(Experience with comparable tools is welcome.)
- Geological modelling & design: Vulcan or similar
- GIS & field: ArcGIS/QGIS, mobile data capture tools
- Data management & QA: Geobank, SQL workflows
- Analysis & reporting: Excel/Power BI, Python (nice to have)
Skills and Experience
What you’ll bring
- Tertiary qualifications in Geology (or related discipline).
- Proven experience in open cut and/or underground mining environments.
- Demonstrated resource modelling and interpretation skills.
- Strong field leadership with a practical approach to problem solving.
- Ability to guide, influence and support multi‑disciplinary teams.
- Class C driver’s licence and willingness to travel to NSW & QLD sites (~25–50%).
Benefits
Yancoal provides a range of benefits to appeal to the diverse needs of our employees. The following benefits are available to eligible employees:
- Salary continuance and life insurance
- 20 weeks paid primary carers parental leave with no waiting period
- Subsidised private health insurance
- Fitness Passport - discounted workplace health and fitness program
- Study assistance
- Flexible work arrangements
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to financial education and banking discounts
- Salary packaging including novated leasing and remote area benefits
- Service recognition rewards
- Discounts program including major department stores, cinemas, restaurants
If you’re ready for the next step in your geology career, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now with your resume and a short cover letter outlining your relevant experience.
Be careful of scams
Yancoal will never ask you to make any payment or provide credit card details when applying for a position. If you have concerns about the authenticity of communications purporting to be from Yancoal, please email recruitment@yancoal.com.au with the subject “Fraud Query”, outlining your concern.