Senior Wastewater Operations Travel Technician

Job Description

A Senior Wastewater Operations Traveling Technician(SWOT) will be trained to operate and
maintain wastewater plants at several locations around the country. The purpose of the
position is to assist with new account startups, temporary operations, and to cover our existing
facilities while local operators are out on PTO/sick time. The SWOT will be responsible for the
overall operation and maintenance of the wastewater plants they visit, including process
changes to meet compliance, troubleshooting processes & equipment, operational
management, maintenance (routine, reactive, and preventive), process & compliance
sampling, laboratory testing, and writing and distributing a daily shift report. In addition, the
Senior Wastewater Operations Traveling Technicians will assist with the startup of new
wastewater operating contracts until full-time local operators are hired The SWOT will be
responsible for training the newly hired operator(s). The SWOT will communicate with the
client and with Veolia’s Account Manager regarding the operation during their time at the
facility. The SWOT will be required to travel and be away from home for extended periods of
time - this can range from 1-2 weeks at a time, all the way up to 1 or more months for certain
projects.

● Operate and maintain wastewater plants to comply with the requirements of the
discharge permit, and each clients’ expectations/requirements.
● Provide direction and support (as needed) to the operators on the other shifts, including
the delegation of tasks based on the skills and abilities of the other operators.
● Conduct lab analysis of the waste streams at various points in the process to verify
treatment and to make process changes.
● Communicate frequently with the Account Manager regarding the operation of the
WWTP and request assistance as needed for the site.
● Coordinate your own travel plans to and from the assigned facility. Note: Veolia pays
for all expenses associated with work-related travel (meals, lodging, transportation, etc.)
● Write or revise Standard Operating Procedures, as necessary.
● Analyze lab data to uncover potential treatment issues and then implement process
changes to prevent non-compliance.
● Submit daily and/or weekly reports to client and Veolia management regarding the
current status of the wastewater plant operations and needs of the operations team.
● Flexibility in schedule is very important. Most travel will be planned in advance, but
there are occasions when emergencies arise. SWOT members will need to be willing
to travel on short notice. Although these times are infrequent, it is a possibility.
● Manage the chemical inventories, spare parts inventory, and waste disposal activities.
● Provide training and/or facilitate training of operators for all facets of the operation /
management of the WWTP.
● Perform all duties/tasks in compliance with the site safety plan to ensure the safety of
all on-site personnel.

● Coordinate and assist with major maintenance and preventive maintenance activities.
● Complete minor reactive and preventative maintenance activities to ensure smooth
process operations at all times.
● Optimize the operation of the wastewater treatment plant.

● Lead by example through hard work, attention to detail, respectful and consistent
treatment of each member of the team and take responsibility for wastewater plant
performance during your shift.
● Assist Veolia Management with the training and development of the operators.
● Willingness and availability to work with operators on other shifts when problems arise
or if an operator needs assistance.
● 24/7 availability to the operators, manager, and the Client when at a Client site.
● Provide direction to the team on the daily operation and maintenance of the wastewater
plant to ensure compliance.
● Be knowledgeable and aware of Client process changes, chemical application rates,
maintenance activities, and additional sampling / testing that may be needed to
evaluate a performance upset / problem to ensure discharge compliance.
● Provide clear verbal and written instructions to the team on the proper operation and
maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant and the equipment.
● Communicate with Veolia Management, or Client Management (depending on the
situation) regarding the current status of the operation, including compliance, treatment
issues, maintenance, and personnel issues

● Make process changes based on lab data and general process knowledge to correct
compliance issues or improve the treatment process.
● Evaluate maintenance projects and determine what outside support is needed and then
coordinate and schedule with client maintenance teams or contractors.

● Issues and concerns of a significant matter should be discussed with the account
manager to ensure actions taken are reasonable and in compliance with the contract.

● The ability to develop creative and innovative process improvements ideas related to
the operation / management of the WWTF
● Independent scheduling of work load.

● Participates in group meetings or discussions.
● Conducts meetings and leads group discussions.
● Communicates routinely with Veolia management.

Qualifications

● A wastewater license (biological and/or physical chemical) required
● Willing to pursue reciprocity in other states as well as higher levels in wastewater
treatment.
● 6+ years experience in wastewater treatment with knowledge of biological and/or
physical/chemical treatment systems. (college included)
● Operational experience with several types of WWTP systems preferred.
o Examples: clarification, coagulation, flocculation, sludge dewatering, metals
precipitation, aerobic, anaerobic, chemical feed, and lab procedures.

● Strong mechanical ability and aptitude required.
● Good communication skills, both verbally and in written form.
● Ability and desire to build a “team mentality”.
● Effective report writing skills.
● Proficient in writing documents and creating/updating spreadsheets in either Microsoft
or Google.

Compensation - The salary range is tied to the market for similarly benchmarked roles. The range is not an absolute, but a guide, and offers will be based on the individual candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, as well as internal peer equity. Depending upon all the preceding considerations for the final selected individual candidate, the offer may be lower or higher than the stated range: $28-35 usd hourly.

Additional Information

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
● Typical working conditions for this position include a wastewater treatment plant and
the outdoors. The job holder could be exposed to extreme weather conditions (extreme
heat and cold), burns, chemicals, dangerous machinery, dirt and dust, electrical
hazardous, grease and oil, loud noises, vibrations, steam and high levels of moisture,
and other hazardous conditions. This position requires the job holder to lift and/or
carry up to 75 pounds, climb a vertical ladder up to 30 feet, stand for long period of
time, walk on uneven surfaces, regular bending, use of extension ladders on a daily
basis, ability to work a 12 hour shift, ability to climb into and maneuver body in tight
spaces.
o All PPE and gear for the job/weather will be provided.

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.