Operator I

Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.

About the Role

The Operator I maintains water/wastewater treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in water/wastewater treatment facilities to purify water to meet permit and operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment related to potable water or wastewater treatment.
• Operates 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.
• 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.
• Troubleshoots and diagnoses operational problems and takes corrective action per procedure.
• Verifies and reports suspected malfunctions and variances to supervisor.
• Performs routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.
• Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes.
• Samples potable water or 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 lab tests applicable to permit testing and related reports per procedure.
• Performs manual labor including but not limited to filling and emptying of machine bins, cleaning equipment, cleaning facilities, cleaning grounds, digging, using hand tools etc. as required.
• Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
• Practices good housekeeping in assigned area and properly disposes of waste according to safety and environmental policies.
• Assists in other areas of plant as needed.
• Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Follows established operational, process control, safety and emergency response procedures.
• Adheres to specifications and production schedule.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

• Spends 100% of the time in an operations environment.
• May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicles to perform duties.
• Possible exposure to 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.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED with the ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
• Associate's degree in a science or technical area preferred.
• One to two years of experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Proficiency in the care and use of all site-specific, facility-required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.
• Working ability to use computer programs for process control.
• Must be able to pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
• Must be able to serve on various shifts to provide required operator coverage.
• Must be able to respond to emergency calls as needed and work extended hours to accommodate site needs.
• Must be able to serve rotational 24-hour emergency on-call if required by site.

Qualifications

• Typically holds or is working toward an intermediate level water and/or wastewater treatment certificate (requires minimum water/wastewater license as required by regulatory agencies at the site).
• Must possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record.

Physical Requirements

• Standing 25%, Walking 75% for as many as five miles per shift.
• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces.
• May be required to use ladders or stairs.
• Must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus for detecting process non-conformance and machine malfunction.

Benefits

• Paid time off policies.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance.
• Savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering.
• Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan.