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Environmental Science

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Jacinta Smith

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​Jacinta Smith is the Safety Partner for CQCN at Aurizon’s Jilalan Complex at Sarina. She partners with depot leaders to drive safety initiatives and enhance safety capability across the Maintenance Teams at Jilalan and Pring in their goal to 'choose safe, know safe'. Studying Environmental Management with a major in Ecology and Conservation at Griffith University, Jacinta has gone on to work in the Mining and Aluminium industries for her working career, recently making a change to Safety and then the Rail Industry to further extend her knowledge and working experience.

Jacinta has held roles as a Senior Specialist in Environment Operations and Licensing, Superintendent of Safety and Emergency Services, Crew Leader for Civil and Mining Operations and Maintenance, and contract managed teams in the Sewage and Waste Handling Operations industries. One of her career highlights was working with Traditional Owners, the Wik-Waya on country, to capture their aspirations as part of an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for the development of a new mine site on Cape York.

Jacinta chose to study the Environmental Sciences discipline as it was an area that she had a passion for. She didn’t plan to work for a mining company, but Jacinta's first job on a remote mine site allowed her to blend her love for the outdoors and working with technologies to manage impacts on the Environment. Over time, Jacinta gained opportunities that she believes would not have been afforded her if she had lived in the city. Environmental Compliance and Minesite Approvals are critical in the Mining sector as it is their Environmental License to Operate; that is, they can’t operate without it. These factors have made it an occupation that could be a lifetime career, and Jacinta would recommend it to anyone.
Full length interview HERE
Career Pathway
Bachelor of Environmental Management (Major in Ecology and Conservation; Griffith University)
  • Salesperson and Warehousing Officer, Good Guys Capalaba 
  • Environmental Consultant, McCollum Environmental Mackay
  • Environmental Officer, Operations, Rio Tinto Weipa
  • Water Treatment Crew Leader, Rio Tinto Weipa
  • Environment Specialist, Rio Tinto Weipa
  • Health and Safety Superintendent, Rio Tinto Weipa
  • Executive Ready Organisational Leadership, Women & Leadership Australia
  • Senior Environmental Consultant, RPM Global
  • Safety Partner Central Qld Coal North, Aurizon
Diploma Work Health Safety (CQUniversity)

Additional Training:
  • ICAM Lead Investigator 
  • Taproot Lead Investigator 
  • Essential Factor Lead Investigator
  • Auditing skills


  • Home
  • Competitions
  • Events
  • STEM Career Stories
    • Astrophysics: Emma
    • Data Science: Ashleigh
    • Digital Media: Katrina
    • Environmental Science: Jacinta
    • Environmental Science: Jackie
    • Environmental Science: Mary-Anne
    • Exercise Science: Sam
    • Medicine: Elissa
    • Mining Exports: Sarah
    • Mining Management: Larnie
    • Mining: Shannah
    • Politics: Michelle
    • Psychology: Christine
    • Science Degree: Taya
    • Science Education: Kerry
    • Zoology: Rosalyn
  • Media
  • Contact
  • FLL