Wastewater Lead

About the role

This position leads the wastewater treatment operations in a production facility, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and sustainability while managing a team and budget.

Responsibilities

• Maintain healthy operation of pretreatment equipment.
• Develop and maintain the chemical and biological treatment strategy for wastewater processing.
• Identify, test, and evaluate alternate chemical treatments, aeration strategies, and lagoon operating parameters to ensure the lowest cost treatment plan is used.
• Responsible for DAF efficiency and personnel.
• Assist with storm water and air inspections.
• Accountable for maintaining a compliant, effective, and economical wastewater treatment system.
• Assist with the implementation and continuance of the facility’s Environmental Management System in accordance with ISO 14001.
• Play a significant active role in the facility’s Environmental Sustainability initiative, including water conservation, waste minimization, and energy efficiency programs.
• Detect and report defective materials or questionable conditions to the Manager.
• Manage all systems involving the collection, treatment, and quality control related to plant wastewater.
• Advise plant operations on alternate technologies to conserve water, reduce nitrogen absorption into waste streams, reduce solids suspensions in waste streams, and control sulfides and other corrosives within water systems.
• Lead development of the wastewater treatment department budget and operate within its limits.
• Lead the development of and oversee implementation of wastewater treatment improvement projects consistent with plant and corporate economic objectives.
• Oversee maintenance practices on all equipment to ensure proper facility maintenance.
• Manage labor practices of direct reports, including hours worked, hiring, firing, and performance development process.
• Manage labor relations in accordance with plant guidelines and state and federal laws.

Working Conditions

• Production setting with exposure to various chemicals, machinery, and knives.
• Slippery floors, extreme temperatures, and loud noises.
• High level of interaction with other departments and employees.
• Must be able to work in extreme heat and/or below freezing temperatures.
• 40+ hours per week, occasionally on weekends.

Requirements

• Climbing, including ladders, lifting, and working with a variety of hand and power tools, shop machines, and tools.
• Knowledge of industrial manufacturing equipment.
• General mathematics ability required to perform job duties.
• Ability to read and interpret documents and drawings.
• Basic knowledge of standard and metric measures.
• Must be able to work assigned days/shifts, including some weekends.

Skills

• Ability to perform plumbing, minor electrical repairs, equipment, and pump repairs.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, sketches, and equipment OEM manuals.
• Comfortable working in a team environment as well as alone on carrying shifts.
• Required to use considerable judgment when performing and planning tasks.