Waste Water Operator

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule: 12-hour rotating shifts, days and nights, on a 4-on/4-off schedule. Day-shift opportunities may be available.

Position Summary:

The Operator I — Industrial Utilities operates, monitors, and maintains industrial utility and treatment systems in a multi-craft operating environment. This position supports wastewater treatment, steam and high-temperature hot-water boilers, water filtration, chemical systems, and related process equipment.

The Operator I uses process instrumentation, control panels, computer systems, and programmable logic controllers to monitor operating conditions, identify process or equipment issues, and take appropriate corrective action. The role also performs preventive and corrective maintenance across mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, instrumentation, and PLC systems.

The successful candidate will be safety-focused, mechanically capable, comfortable working around industrial processes, and willing to learn and operate a variety of utility systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Operations and Process Control

Operate industrial utility and treatment systems, including wastewater treatment, boilers, water filtration, chemical feed systems, and associated support equipment.
Monitor equipment and process conditions through field inspections, control panels, computer terminals, and PLC systems.
Record operating data, observations, readings, and abnormal conditions in shift logs and operating records.
Perform routine rounds and inspections of pumps, motors, valves, tanks, mixers, piping, instrumentation, gauges, flow meters, and related equipment.
Recognize process deviations and equipment malfunctions, perform basic troubleshooting, and take corrective action in accordance with approved procedures.
Collect water, wastewater, industrial waste, groundwater, sludge, residuals, and gas samples according to established schedules.
Conduct routine field and laboratory testing to support process control and chemical-dosing decisions.
Prepare chemical solutions, monitor chemical inventories, and recommend replenishment as needed.
Support the safe receipt, transfer, storage, and use of process chemicals.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting:

Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on process and utility equipment.
Troubleshoot equipment failures and complete repairs that support safe and reliable plant operation.
Perform precision equipment alignment, lubrication, fluid changes, and replacement of mechanical components.
Replace and maintain mechanical seals, bearings, oil seals, gaskets, and related components.
Maintain and repair centrifugal, dosing, submersible, and other hydraulic pumps.
Inspect, maintain, and repair mechanical agitators and associated industrial equipment.
Support electrical and instrumentation activities, including calibration checks and basic troubleshooting.
Read and interpret technical drawings, exploded views, assembly diagrams, and equipment documentation.
Use computerized maintenance management systems and other site-specific software to document work and operating conditions.

Safety, Compliance, and Documentation:

Follow all company, site, environmental, and regulatory safety requirements.
Use required personal protective equipment, including respirators, gas detectors, and confined-space equipment where applicable.
Safely perform work involving chemicals, hazardous waste, high-pressure systems, hot surfaces, electrical equipment, machinery, and water hazards.
Maintain clean, orderly, and safe work areas.
Properly handle and dispose of waste in accordance with environmental and site procedures.
Maintain accurate operating, maintenance, laboratory, inventory, and compliance records.
Create, review, update, and maintain department procedures and operating documents.
Stay current with applicable utility standards, environmental requirements, and federal, state, and local regulations.
Coordinate contractor activities while maintaining safe and continuous plant operations.

Communication and Team Support:

Work collaboratively with operations, maintenance, laboratory, management, contractors, and customer representatives.
Communicate process conditions, equipment concerns, safety issues, and recommended improvements to the appropriate personnel.
Respond professionally to client concerns related to the Utilities department and escalate issues when necessary.
Report department performance, process conditions, and quality improvements to the Operations and Maintenance Manager.
Learn and independently operate assigned equipment and process areas.
Support additional responsibilities and operational priorities as required.

Work Environment and Schedule:

Approximately 75% of the work is performed in an industrial operations environment and 25% in an office or control-room setting.
Work may involve exposure to fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals, hazardous waste, heavy machinery, high-pressure systems, hot or cold temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards, and electrical equipment.
This position requires a 12-hour rotating schedule between day and night shifts on a 4-on/4-off rotation.
Employees may be required to respond to emergency calls, work extended hours, or participate in rotational 24-hour emergency on-call coverage, depending on site requirements.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, approximately 50% each during a typical shift.
Ability to frequently use hands and fingers and reach with the hands and arms.
Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, climb ladders, and use stairs.
Ability to perform close visual observation of equipment, instrumentation, process conditions, and safety-related details.
Must have sufficient close, distance, and color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Ability to safely wear and use required personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection where applicable.
Ability to perform manual labor, including cleaning equipment, facilities, and grounds.
Ability to operate vehicles, mobile equipment, and material-handling equipment when authorized.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED required.
Two to four years of experience or equivalent vocational training in one or more of the following areas:
Industrial utilities or wastewater operations
Mechanical maintenance
Electrical or instrumentation maintenance
Boiler or steam systems
Process control or PLC systems
Industrial manufacturing or chemical-process operations
Candidates with strong hands-on mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, PLC, or programming experience are encouraged to apply, even without a formal degree or certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of industrial equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Experience performing preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, valves, piping, tanks, mixers, and related systems.
Working knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems.
Ability to use process-control systems, PLC interfaces, computerized maintenance management systems, and basic laboratory equipment.
Ability to collect samples and perform routine chemical, physical, and biological testing.
Ability to read and understand operating procedures, safety instructions, process documentation, technical drawings, and maintenance instructions.
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and accurately record data.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a safety-sensitive industrial environment.
Willingness to learn new systems, assume additional responsibilities, and support changing operational priorities.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and Conditions of Employment:

Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
Must be able to pass a drug screening and criminal background check.
Must obtain or be actively working toward the highest level of operator certification or license required by the site.
Must be able to meet site-specific safety, medical, respirator, confined-space, and personal protective equipment requirements.
Must be able to work rotating shifts, overtime, emergency call-ins, and extended hours when required.

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