Wastewater Operator

Job Description

BENEFITS 

Veolia's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.

Position Purpose: 

Operates and maintains wastewater treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in wastewater treatment facility to purify water to meet permit and operational requirements. Performs routine operational, maintenance and custodial duties in each of the areas of primary and secondary treatment, sludge thickening, belt filter & centrifuge systems.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Operates plant processes including primary treatment, activated sludge secondary treatment, sludge thickening, gravity thickening & blending, belt filter press & centrifuge systems.
• Maintain and performs minor repairs on equipment.
• Writes work orders for major repairs and submits to maintenance department.
• Reads meters, gauges, scales, charts, and totalizers and records these readings on appropriate log sheets.
• Trains and directs other operators in various duties as needed.
• Cleans and paints equipment, washes windows, sweeps and mops floors, maintains buildings and grounds throughout the plant.
• Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control and vacuum filters used to decontaminate waste water by settling, aeration and sludge digestion.
• Monitors control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow.
• Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned area.
• Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
• Ensures conformance to process specifications. Diagnoses basic operational problems and takes corrective action per procedure. Verifies and reports suspected malfunctions and variances to supervisor and takes corrective actions.
• Performs routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.
• Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required.
• Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
• Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Practices good housekeeping in assigned area and properly disposes of waste according to safety and environmental policies.
• Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes.
• Samples wastewater, sludge and gases (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
• Prepares chemical solutions and services automatic samplers.
• Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder.
• Performs routine lab tests.
• Performs routine instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen, lower explosive limit.
• Performs a variety of manual functions. Follows established procedures to perform standardized or routine tasks. Must follow established operational, process control, compliance and safety and emergency response procedures. Must adhere to specifications and schedule. May suggest process improvements.
• Uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments. Waits for direction for next steps or assignments outside of routine. Keeps supervisor informed of problems.
• Assists in other areas of plant as needed.

Work Environment:

• Spends 100% of time in operations environment.
• May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicle to perform duties.
• Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work environment temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards and electrical equipment.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background: 

• High School Diploma/GED is required.
  Zero to two years of experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.
• Must have the ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety and quality instructions). Must have the ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Must consistently demonstrate the ability to learn and independently operate assigned machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets.
• Must demonstrate ability to learn and independently operate equipment such as pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses and measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
• Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Must be able to serve rotational 24-hour emergency on-call if required by site.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training: 

• Typically holds or is working toward a Michigan Class D wastewater treatment certificate.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
• Employee Orientation, Departmental Operating Procedures, Safety, OSHA and Quality Training.
• HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response)
• Michigan Class D Wastewater Certification within 6 months of hire date or as soon as possible. Cross-training if feasible.
• Must become proficient in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.)
• Forklift Certification if required at site.
• Work toward higher level water treatment certification. May perform more advanced functions as part of training and development.

Physical Requirements:

• Amount of time spent – Standing 25%, Walking 75% for as many as five miles per shift.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces.
• May be required to use ladders or stairs.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.