Wastewater Chief Operator

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

Assists with the planning, organization and management of the daily operations, maintenance and testing of a processing system. Ensures compliance with established environmental, safety, operating, and emergency response procedures. Maintains ongoing client interface appropriate to the Project to keep client informed and enhance client relations. Serves as Primary Operator with responsibility for State reporting and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Project Leader in the daily operation and maintenance of a wastewater system and ensures compliance with operational, QA/QC, safety, environmental, and performance metrics.
• Works with Operations, Maintenance and/or Lab Supervisors to ensure that plant resources are being utilized to achieve project objectives.
• Assists the Project Leader with human resource functions of the facility or unit including hiring and firing, salary and job change actions, and coaching and counseling team.
• Works with HSE and training team to ensure that all personnel receive safety and process training.
• Coaches and counsels managers, supervisors and leads to improve technical skills, supervisory, interpersonal and problem resolution skills.
• Identifies and provides opportunities for teams to learn new skills and techniques.
• Reviews and evaluates wastewater reports, records, logs, and graphs to confirm adequacy of present and projected wastewater needs.
• Ensures that uniform monitoring and recordkeeping are performed facility wide.
• Prepares reports as directed concerned with chemical and bacteriological analyses of water for administrative purposes and regulatory agencies.
• Participates and supports Project Leader in client meetings as needed and helps to handle resolution of client service problems in a professional manner.
• Assists with the preparation and/or review of reports to regulatory agencies and assists with public relations duties as necessary.
• Works with Project Leader to develop site specific or functional goals and activities required to meet overall business objectives.
• Maintains standards, guidelines and procedures.
• Identifies needed process improvements, evaluates new concepts, technologies and practices; recommends and helps implement approved improvements.
• Assists Project Leader in developing site objectives that align with Regional Leader and assists managers and supervisors in developing goals and activities in their respective areas in order to meet overall business objectives.
• Regularly identifies, evaluates, recommends and helps implement approved improvements to improve utility reliability, regulatory compliance and/or cost effectiveness.
• Evaluates employee performance, matches abilities and job requirements and capitalizes on talents to effectively meet business objectives.
• Ensures that business initiatives and progress toward goals are effectively communicated to employees.
• Proactively manages safety, plant appearance and environmental issues and ensures compliance with Federal and State standards including Hazardous Waste Disposal and Air Quality Standards.
• Ensures that issues are identified and addressed and elevated, if necessary, in a timely manner.
• Works with Project Leader and Assistant Chief to maintain an up-to-date plan of action to be taken in the event of emergencies such as machine, equipment or power failure. Helps manage emergencies in an effective manner.
• Supports capital and facility improvement plans as required. Interacts with facility owners, engineers and other consultants, coordinates with contractors as needed.
• Responds to the SCADA alarm system after hours, as needed.
• Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for recurring collections system maintenance activities.
• Assists in coordinating and participating in collections system maintenance activities including but not limited to sewer system jetting, wet well cleaning, grease trap inspections, and camera inspections.
• Performs daily pump station inspections and assists in coordinating and participating in pump station maintenance including pump/motor service and emergencies.
• Performs Dig Safe inspections and mark outs as requested in addition to inspecting sewer installations to ensure all work complies with the department’s rules and regulations.
• Assists with planning and scheduling maintenance of buildings and grounds to ensure that facilities are cleaned and kept in good repair.
• Responds to customer inquiries and complaints.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the methods, techniques and safety requirements relating to wastewater collections systems and pertinent EPA/DEP rules and regulations.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED is required.
• Three to five years progressive lead and/or supervisory experience within a related environment with thorough knowledge of industry methods, techniques, principles, and practices.
• May require knowledge of a particular specialty.
• Valid Driver’s license and safe driving record.
• MA Grade 6C Wastewater License is required.

Skills

• Demonstrated leadership ability with an understanding of Human Resources / Relations principles.
• Knowledge of Process / Operations Management, QA/QC procedures, Safety, Environmental and Facilities / Capital Equipment Management, i.e., standby generators, instrumentation, and SCADA equipment.
• Ingenuity and initiative are required to coordinate problem resolution, resolve conflicting priorities and to meet assignment deadlines within a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose process problems and manage remedial action.
• Demonstrated effective communication, presentation and interpersonal skills in order to interface with and motivate all levels of personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare accurate, effective, complete and easily understood written communications and reports.
• Strong PC skills (Google Workspace) with proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet and database software and the ability to optimize the use of technology and systems to communicate, manage budget and to streamline processes and increase efficiency.
• Familiarity with maintenance, operation, and regulatory reporting.
• Proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment).
• Demonstrated commitment to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and other Company policies and procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Amount of time spent – 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).
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.

Pay

$47.00 to $50.00 per hour.

Benefits

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