Effluent Filtration/Waste Management Operator LPCT

About the role

In accordance with PCC procedures, local, state, and federal regulations, effectively and efficiently treat all waste water to ensure that prohibited materials do not enter the sewer system. This on-site, full-time position is located in Portland, Oregon, within the Structurals division (LPC) Operations function.

Responsibilities

LSA Materials Receiving, Preliminary Inspection and In-Process Storage

• Receive and/or collect drummed LSA materials from Investing, Effluent Filtration, and Cleaning departments; determine if acceptable for processing.
• Inspect for drum integrity, labeling, and loose RAD material per acceptance criteria; accept or reject drums.
• Move accepted drums to in-process storage; transport rejected drums back to department of origin.
• Manage drums in receiving and in-process areas per schedules to meet disposal requirements.

Correcting/Diagnosing System Failures

• Monitor electrical, chemical, and mechanical processes to ensure safe and effective waste water processing.
• Perform basic lab tests to determine chemical imbalances; add chemicals to restore balance.
• Redirect water flow to storage tanks or reprocessing via manual shut-off valves or computer input.
• Communicate with supervision in customer departments and maintenance regarding process shutdowns or HazMat Response Team needs.

Operation of the Effluent Filtration Process

• Clean or change microfiltration modules, filter presses, process tanks, turbidity probes, and cartridge filters of radioactive sludge via chemical or manual processes.
• Clean process tanks with air hammer chip gun.
• Adjust water flow rate through system via computer monitoring or manual control.
• Place sludge from filtration process into hoppers.
• Take samples and dispose in dropbox for Hillsboro Landfill.
• Bleach sumps in Investing and Cleaning departments.

Maintain Supplies and Equipment

• Troubleshoot system problems.
• Perform regularly scheduled preventive maintenance on pumps, valves, pipes, tanks, and filtering equipment.
• Monitor raw material supplies and operational spare parts; order replacements as necessary.
• Perform housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean work area.
• Complete all logs and records.

Process and Shipment of Drummed Non-Hazardous Waste to Regulated Landfill Waste Sites

• Process and dispose of alpha shell material.
• Process and dispose of colloidal silica material (water base).
• Process and dispose of waterblast sump sludge material (LPC-S).
• Compact and dispose of LPC-T shell material and sludge.
• Shovel shell material and sludge from floor or pan to cement mixer.

Neutralization of Acids and Caustics

• Wear applicable protective clothing and respiratory protection.
• Operate tanks, pumps, valves, blenders, and filter press to process NaOH, KOH caustics and hydrofluoric, nitric, and sulfuric acids.
• Operate calcium slurry tank to remove fluorides.
• Control receipt of acids and caustics to balance operation with adequate material supply.
• Dump neutral sludge cake by forklift into drop box.
• Know and implement emergency shutdown and evacuation procedures.
• Operate Comet oven in material drying processes.
• Receive acid from Alpha Facility, TBS, and LPC-T; receive caustic from LPC-S and LPC-T.

Process and Dispose of Miscellaneous Drummed Waste Materials

• Process and dispose of filters (RAD).
• Process and dispose of sewer clean-up sludge (RAD).
• Process and dispose of urea water.
• Process and dispose of wax.
• Process and dispose of 2nd and 3rd dip (alcohol base – hazardous).
• Process and dispose of NaOH and KOH (hazardous).

Processing of Binder #5 Alcohol Waste (RAD and Hazardous Waste)

• Label drums Hazardous Waste and Flammable.
• Dispose of solid residue to landfill.
• Prepare alcohol for shipment to disposal operation.

Support Operations

• Prepare monthly inventory for PCC financial accounting and charging to other plant cost centers.
• Order drums and issue drums to user departments.
• Store bulk acid and caustic for user departments; manage empty drum return.
• Manage flammable hazardous waste materials to stay within 90-day storage regulation.
• Clean and neutralize minor chemical spills in work areas.
• Maintain logs, records, and inventories.

Preventive Maintenance

• Physically check all equipment for leaks and proper operation.
• Calibrate and change pH probes and fluoride probes.
• Perform preventive maintenance on all pumps and boilers in Neutralization facility.
• PM piping systems and tanks.
• Troubleshoot and perform routine “light” maintenance.
• Perform housekeeping tasks associated with mechanical equipment.

Safety

• Adhere to plant and department safety rules.
• Safely operate all equipment and tools.
• Identify and report safety problems.
• Observe safe handling, transporting, and storage of acid, caustics, and radioactive sludge materials.
• May be required to handle hazardous waste.
• Comply with respiratory protection requirements per OAR 437 Div. 2/I 1910.134 and Oregon Health Division Rules for Control of Radiation OAR 333 Div. 120; tight-fitting respirator use prohibits facial hair, temple pieces on glasses, or other items interfering with face-to-facepiece seal.

Equipment & Tools

• Forklift (license required)
• Overhead hoist
• Effluent Filtration equipment
• Foundry ovens
• Computer
• Barrel Grabber
• Pallet jacks
• Basic hand tools (wrenches, pliers, hammers, air hammers, etc.)

Training

• On-the-job training provided.
• Hazardous Materials Safety Training required.
• Confined space entry training required.
• Radioactive Materials Handling training required.
• Department SOPs training required.
• Use of basic hand tools training required.
• Hazardous Waste Management training may be required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot system problems and perform preventive maintenance on instruments, including use of plumbing schematics and operational diagrams, OR equivalent combination of classroom training and/or work experience.
• Working knowledge of industrial chemicals with experience and/or training in hazardous communications and radioactive handling procedures, OR equivalent combination of classroom training and work experience.
• Training in science and chemistry preferred.
• Familiarity with computers and printers preferred.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Ability to read, follow, and interpret complex written instructions including technical manuals and material safety data sheets with zero errors.
• Proven ability to interact effectively with personnel at all organizational levels and maintain composure under critical situations and emergencies.
• Ability to work independently with good maturity and judgment for extended periods.
• Proven organizational and record-keeping skills.

Physical Requirements

• Physical ability to perform essential job functions with lifting up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to utilize protective clothing and respiratory equipment.

Additional Information

This position requires use of information or access to production processes subject to national security controls under U.S. export control laws and regulations (including IT