Director Wastewater Treatment Technology
About The Position
Valero is the best-in-class producer of essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. We invite you to join our ~10,000 employees to drive exceptional results for our company, the energy industry and our community. As a Director Wastewater Treatment Technology, you will provide corporate-wide technical leadership for refinery wastewater systems while also supporting other Valero businesses (renewable diesel, ethanol, pipelines & terminals). The role Identifies and communicates technical solutions that improve compliance, reliability, operability, and overall refinery performance across multiple sites. As the primary technical resource for managing complex wastewater issues the role diagnoses problems, guides response, stabilizes operations, and translates lessons learned into standards. The role also supports capital project development for wastewater treatment system upgrades from early framing through execution and start‑up to ensure safe and operable outcomes. At Valero, we are committed to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity and unmatched execution.
Requirements
- Bachelor Degree in a related field, required.
- 15 years of increasingly responsible related professional experience at multiple locations with various technologies, required.
- 15 years of wastewater treatment experience, required.
- Works on-site full time at corporate headquarters and maintains availability during standard business hours.
- Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero San Antonio location, required.
Nice To Haves
- Wastewater treatment experience in a refinery setting, preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership for refinery wastewater treatment across multiple sites, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant performance.
- Lead high level troubleshooting of complex wastewater upsets and permit risk events; direct diagnostics, stabilization plans, and durable corrective actions.
- Translate operating data and field observations into root cause findings; convert lessons learned into updated procedures, operating windows, and standards.
- Support project development for wastewater improvements—framing opportunities, evaluating options, and maturing scope.
- Apply refinery relevant wastewater practices across integrated treatment trains and interfaces with upstream units to protect effluent quality and plant operability.
- Partner with Operations, Environmental, Process Control/Automation, Maintenance, Lab, and Project teams to align technical decisions and execute improvements efficiently.
- Communicate risks, trade offs, and progress with clear, data driven recommendations and decision criteria for stakeholders at all levels.
- Validate strategies under constrained conditions (e.g., hydraulic and contaminant loading, toxicity, nutrient balance, temperature) and recommend safe, value maximizing operating moves.
- Represent the organization with licensors, vendors, and external forums to benchmark refining industry practices and inform internal standards.
- Stay abreast of and, when appropriate, recommend application of new/emerging refinery wastewater treatment technologies in areas that include (but are not limited to) gravity oil/water separation, flotation processes, chemical coagulation/flocculation, biological and chemical treatment, clarification and management of WWTP residuals such as oily sludge, biosolids and air emissions.
- Coach and develop engineers in wastewater fundamentals, troubleshooting methods, and consistent best practice application across sites.
- Develop and deliver internal technical training on refinery wastewater treatment technology fundamentals.
Benefits
- Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program
- 100% match on 401(K) up to 7%
- Company-sponsored Pension Plan
- Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellness Programs
- Onsite Daycare Center
- Onsite Employee and Family Wellness Centers (Physician & Pediatrician)
- Onsite Pharmacy
- State-of-the-art 24-hour Fitness Center free for employees and spouses with access to Tennis and Basketball Facilities
- Onsite cafeteria open for breakfast and lunch
- Sprawling campus with walking paths and access to biking trails
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
