Director of Sustainability

Job Title: Sustainability Director

Reports To: Senior VP Engineering & Operations

• Continue the development and embedding the Sustainability vision, values, strategy, systems, and policies for USA Corp, with specific focus on the implementation of Toward Sustainable Mining (TSM) standards, elements and processes, and reporting to GRI Community and UN Global Compact standards.
• Along with senior operating leaders, has responsibility for environmental, health & safety, with broader accountability for Sustainability and TSM requirements and standards across company.
• Has a strong background working in mining and/or process operational settings such that they can provide quality leadership in the areas of Environmental performance, Health & Safety assurance, and Community Relations.

Location: Reno & Dyer, Nevada

Responsibilities:

Core Accountabilities

• The Sustainability Director has prime responsibility for continued development and implementation of the Toward Sustainable Mining (TSM) standards, elements and processes and the associated cultural mind-set with-in our mining and processing organization. Furthermore, the Sustainability Director works outside operations with other departments to ensure that TSM standards are integrated into the policies, standards and processes of other departments (Supply Chain, HR, etc.).
• Over and above TSM requirements, the Sustainability Director will have a robust understanding of various industry Sustainability/ESG objectives, and programs, (including GRI Community and UN Global Compact standards), and will ensure that sustainability objectives, programs and reporting practices are right sized for its stage in the development of the Rhyolite Ridge Project. To the extent that additional, perhaps broader, ESG standards and policies are necessary, the Director will highlight these issues and develop agreed recommendations concerning adoption and implementation.
• As the Subject Matter Expert in the area of Sustainability, the Director will support the EHSS Committee and the Senior VP Engineering & Operations who will interface with the EHSS Committee and have executive responsibility for EHSS/Sustainability.
• Functions as a company liaison with a broad array of external stakeholders (organizations, agencies, individuals, etc.) as it relates to Sustainability programs, health & safety, environmental results and local community relations.
• Assists the Sales & Marketing, and Communications/Investment Relations functions to appropriately describe and report Sustainability/ESG goals and performance to external parties. This includes but is not limited to, developing and owning the EHSS section of the website, producing an annual Sustainability report for corporate reporting, updating the Sustainability content in investor presentations etc.

In addition to the above broad areas of responsibility, the Director leads a team of Health and Safety and Environmental colleagues with responsibilities in the following areas:

Health & Safety

* Act as a catalyst for the developed health and safety vision and strategy for the Project from construction and start-up of operations.

* Ensure best in class health and safety management systems and technologies are being leveraged to ensure the achievement of vision of a safe and productive workplace.

* Ensure and contributes to an open work environment where employees support each other, are comfortable in raising safety concerns and achieve excellent safety results.

* Ensure critical safety values/rules are understood, bought into, adhered to, and enforced with zero tolerance.

* Help create a shared leadership view and workplace environment that achieves industry leading health and safety results.

Environmental

Exhibit an overriding commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development practices that lead to industry leading environmental results and reputation.

• Oversee the execution of the ongoing permitting process, and any expansion permits. Ensure adherence to schedule, budget and quality standards, manage staff and consultants, and contribute to integration of studies with project design and overall project development.
• With environmental staff (part of Sustainability team) and with operating leaders develop
• a joined-up approach to biodiversity conservation of identified species.
• plans and actions that minimize emissions (GHGs, Sox, fugitive dust, etc.).
• plans and actions for water conservation.
• At a minimum, work through environmental specialists (part the Sustainability team), and with operational leaders to ensure compliance with operating permits (Air, Water, Dust, etc.).

Community Relations

* Ensures local stakeholder plan, policies, etc. are in place that are aligned with TSM requirements.

* Together with ESG staff and operational leadership, builds effective relationships with local community leaders and indigenous peoples.

* Ensures programs are in place that enhance local residents' opportunities to benefit from operations in the area.

* Develop, run and maintain programs that support various local activities in a close-knit community.

* Communications including written, verbal, video, group settings, etc. are professional, with aligned company messages.

* NOTE: Community Relations transitioning of duties would take place post RoD and is highly dependent upon experience/capabilities of the candidate.

Broader Subjects

* From a corporate perspective sustainability (ESG) also includes broader topics in areas such as; HR, Corp. Governance, IT security, Supply Chain, etc. For these areas external assessment services establish external standards/expectations and reporting requirements.

* When working in such topics it's expected that the Director will work the appropriate VP level leader and others to understand external reporting needs and standards/expectations that may impact INR approaches.

Major Challenges

* Promote and sustain Zero Harm culture, not only in safety - but also in environment.

* Implement TSM/Sustainability concepts, policies, standards and requirements in a start-up mining / process operations organization, with competing priorities associated with the heavy workloads of a start-up organization.

* Represent in forums that may not be receptive to mining operations.

* Working with local leaders who are influenced by the views of individuals who may not be supportive of the project/operations.

General Responsibilities

* Is viewed as the Subject Matter Expert for EHSS (sustainability) within the Company. Understands industry trends and best practice, influencing our sustainability culture and company communications.

* Ensure conformance with the USA standards and relevant health and safety statutory obligations.

* Demonstrate an overriding commitment to health, safety, environment responsibility, and sustainable development.

* Ensure EHSS standards are incorporated in all work undertaken and supporting systems and procedures are in place.

* Maintain open and efficient communication channels across the project to share knowledge, contacts, experience, and expertise

QUALIFICATIONS

* Bachelor's or master's degree in areas such as; earth sciences, environmental or public policy.

EXPERIENCE & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

* Typically, 10 to 15 years of experience in mining or process operations - with experience in areas such as environmental, safety, community relations.

* Proven track record of improving environmental, safety performance, community relations (could be while leading operations or in Environment or H&S lead roles).

* Experience and understanding sustainable mining programs, structures, etc. and broader ESG concepts.

* Experience working with senior organizational leaders and external stakeholders.

* Excellent presentation skills.

* Excellent computer skills - using Microsoft Office suite.