Environmental Systems Control Operator

Radius Recycling•Tacoma, WA

About The Position

The Environmental Systems Control Operator (ECSO) reports directly to the Regional Environmental Manager and indirectly to Regional Directors for SSI’s Auto and Metals Recycling division. The role may also be supervised by local or national Environmental Department employees. The ECSO implements and supports compliance with company environmental policies and procedures covering air, stormwater, groundwater, solid waste, and hazardous waste. The position operates and maintains environmental control systems (ECSs), including stormwater treatment and air-emission control systems, and maintains facility compliance with applicable permits and regulatory requirements. The ECSO has direct responsibility for operating ECSs; conducting field sampling, monitoring, observation, and data recording; maintaining permit-required records; and providing accurate information to environmental and facility managers. The role also supports planning, design, installation, maintenance, and permitting of control systems and associated measuring devices. In consultation with environmental leadership, the operator may assist with urgent responses to system upsets, incidents, spills, releases, or accidents and related notifications. The primary goal is safe, effective, and efficient operation of ECSs at multiple facilities in compliance with federal and state requirements, permits, regulatory orders, and other agreements. Approximately 80% of the work is in the field. Systems may include stormwater technologies such as oil-water separation, settling, polymer treatment, electrocoagulation, sand filtration, and carbon filtration, as well as air-emission controls such as extraction systems, drop-out boxes, cyclones, scrubbers, thermal oxidizers, and baghouses. The work takes place in office and active industrial field environments, with frequent travel to local and regional locations. The position may occasionally respond to urgent situations outside regular hours, including weekends and holidays.

Requirements

Extensive applied environmental or manufacturing control system operational experience.
Three to five years of experience operating environmental or manufacturing control systems, including PLC programming and use, routine maintenance and troubleshooting, air and water sampling, permit compliance activities, and permit-required operating records.
Valid driver’s license and ability to drive an automobile.
Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, including professional communication in person and through documents, email, text, and phone.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, environmental management systems, ECS testing or analytical programs, and PLC operation packages.
Ability to apply logical and scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in controlled situations.
Ability to read and understand engineering plans and specifications, evaluate system performance, and rapidly and effectively repair control-system malfunctions when necessary.
Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally; climb; negotiate uneven surfaces; and sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
Ability to travel frequently by automobile or airplane to local and regional locations and operate a laptop and automobile.
Visual acuity for reading, examining documents, equipment maintenance, field sampling, driving, and laptop use.
Ability to work in active industrial facilities, including isolated areas, at heights, and outdoors in inclement weather.
Applicants in the United States must be at least 18 years old; applicants in Canada must be at least 16 years old.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another applied science discipline.
Experience with similar environmental control systems or manufacturing control systems and associated PLC-based operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Strong demonstrated experience operating and maintaining environmental or manufacturing control systems and maintaining related permit-required compliance documentation.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental programs and regulations, including approved sampling techniques and procedures.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain environmental control systems and associated metering or measuring devices at multiple facilities.
Conduct on-site environmental sampling, monitoring, observations, and data recording.
Maintain facility compliance with applicable ECS permit conditions and environmental requirements.
Recommend improvements to environmental control systems to improve compliance, efficacy, efficiency, and costs.
Implement maintenance and improvements to ECSs, including retaining and managing contractors when necessary.
Assist in developing and implementing environmental procedures applicable to ECSs.
Adhere to company and divisional health, safety, and environmental standards and help provide a safe environment for employees, customers, and visitors.
Prepare and maintain permit-required environmental records and reports related to ECSs.
Collect, evaluate, and share information about ECS compliance requirements and maintain reference files.
Recommend changes to procedures, designs, or equipment as needed.
Perform related duties such as site inspections and spill-response preparedness.
Review construction plans for adequate pollution-control provisions and provide technical guidance for equipment construction and installation.
Collaborate with the project management team to coordinate contractors and equipment suppliers during ECS installation.
Work with operational personnel to ensure proper management of waste generated through ECS operation and maintenance.
Assist the Regional Environmental Manager with permitting ECS equipment.
Maintain on-site ECS records, operating budgets, and schedules for ongoing expenses and capital improvements.
Support internal controls by understanding and following defined controls and recommending improvements to policies, procedures, and controls.
Communicate operational challenges, policy violations, or regulatory compliance issues to a supervisor, senior Environmental Department staff, or the Compliance Department.
Assist with environmental emergency responses and notifications in consultation with environmental leadership.
Perform special projects or other duties as assigned.