Senior Operations Specialist (Water)

About the role

HDR is seeking an energetic, hardworking problem solver to become a full-time Senior Operations Specialist to work on both municipal and industrial water treatment facilities. This position will involve supporting project leaders, managing operations and maintenance projects, interfacing with clients, and performing various operational and maintenance tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support HDR project leaders on water treatment projects requiring input from Operations Specialists.
• Review drawings for operability review and HazOps analysis, focusing on successful operation of various treatment processes.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with both municipal and industrial clients, including client interfacing, regulatory reporting, and personnel, subcontractor, and maintenance management.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans and host workshops to ensure these plans work for each specific plant.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new water treatment facilities, working alongside contractors and engineers to ensure new equipment functions correctly before handing it over to operations and maintenance staff.
• Provide formal and informal training to help clients’ treatment plants operate effectively.
• Test facilities to ensure they are ready for startup and after startup, meet the design capacity requirements.
• Conduct condition assessments and asset management tasks on water and wastewater facilities, using advanced evaluation tools.
• Perform operational or maintenance troubleshooting and evaluations on municipal and industrial water facilities.
• Work on a variety of new and innovative projects, providing opportunities for growth and development.
• Travel up to 30-40% of the time, with weekend travel not typically required.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years field experience in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at water treatment facilities and/or resolving water treatment process problems.
• Additional construction experience is a plus.
• A high level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license.
• Experience interpreting engineering plans and specifications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and computerized maintenance and management systems.
• A strong attitude and commitment to being an active participant in our employee-owned culture.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Microsoft Office product experience.
• General background-related experience.
• A strong attitude and commitment to being an active participant in our employee-owned culture.

Skills

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of water treatment processes and equipment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement.

Pay

The expected compensation range for this position is $71,960 - 128,500 depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location.

Schedule

Full-time.

Employee Status

Regular.

Business Class

WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt.

Job Posting

Dec 31, 2025.

Company Information

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.