Freelance consultant / SME (Underground Geotechnical and Ground Control Speciali✦ anywhere

About dss+

At dss+ , you don’t just deliver projects - you help save lives, improve performance, and build a more sustainable future.

We are a purpose-led global consultancy partnering with organisations in high-risk and asset-intensive industries to solve complex operational challenges across safety, operational excellence, and sustainability.

With a heritage rooted in DuPont’s industrial operations, we combine deep expertise, practical problem-solving, and digital innovation to deliver measurable and lasting impact for our clients.
Why This Role

As a freelance Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will bring deep expertise in underground geotechnical engineering and Ground Control to support a major mining expansion project.

Working alongside dss+ and client stakeholders, you will review operational procedures, identify operational and safety risks, challenge existing practices where appropriate, and provide practical recommendations aligned with industry leading practices.

This is a project-based advisory role focused on technical review, risk identification, and procedure improvement rather than full-time consulting delivery.
Why This Industry

As underground mining operations become more complex and technically demanding, effective Ground Control is critical to protecting people, infrastructure, and operational continuity.

dss+ supports mining organizations in strengthening operational risk management by ensuring that technical requirements, Critical Controls, and engineering standards are translated into practical procedures that can be applied consistently in the field.
Your Impact at dss+

You will provide specialist expertise for the critical review, development, and improvement of operational procedures associated with underground geotechnical risk management, Ground Control, Fall of Ground prevention, and excavation stability.

You will help ensure that geotechnical requirements and Critical Controls are translated into practical instructions that can be understood and applied by supervisors, operators, contractors, and operational leadership teams.
Key Accountabilities

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Review and evaluate Ground Control procedures, standards, and management plans.

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Assess operational procedures relating to geotechnical inspections and underground excavation management.

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Review approaches for excavation classification, clearance, and re-entry criteria.

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Evaluate ground support design, installation, verification, and maintenance requirements.

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Assess procedures covering rock bolts, cable bolts, mesh installation, and shotcrete application.

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Review scaling, loose-rock management, and unsupported ground controls.

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Evaluate Ground Control monitoring and geotechnical hazard reporting processes.

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Support the development and validation of Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs).

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Identify gaps between engineering requirements and field execution.

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Define practical inspection, authorization, verification, and stop-work requirements.

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Facilitate workshops involving geotechnical, operational, safety, and contractor teams.

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Provide recommendations to strengthen operational and safety risk controls.

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Contribute technical expertise to procedure reviews and operational risk assessments.

What You'll Experience at dss+

Deliver on our Purpose
Be part of a values-led organization where your expertise helps improve safety performance, strengthen risk management, and support critical operational decisions.

Apply your Trusted Expertise
Work alongside experienced technical and operational leaders, bringing your knowledge to a high-profile underground mining expansion project.

Collaborate with Industry Experts
Contribute to a multidisciplinary team of specialists supporting one of the mining industry's most important operational improvement initiatives.

Create Lasting Impact
Help develop practical procedures and controls that will influence operational performance and safety outcomes long after