Operator III

Veolia•Hollister, CA

About The Position

Operates and maintains water and wastewater treatment, processing, disposal, and testing equipment to purify water in accordance with permit and operational requirements. The Operator III is fully qualified to perform complex functions and may lead the work of others. The role monitors and adjusts treatment processes, records operating data, troubleshoots and corrects operational problems, performs tests and maintenance, and follows established process, safety, environmental, and emergency-response procedures. The operator may suggest process improvements, respond to issues within authorized limits, assist elsewhere in the plant, and help orient or train less experienced operators. The position is performed entirely in an operations environment. Work may take place outdoors in inclement weather and may involve driving a company vehicle. Potential hazards include fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards, and electrical equipment. The job requires substantial walking and standing, occasional confined-space entry, and lifting up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds). The role requires a high school education or GED and more than five years of related experience in water or wastewater treatment. An associate’s degree in a science or technical area is strongly preferred. Applicants typically hold a high-level water/wastewater treatment certificate, including the highest level state certification required for the site, and must have a valid driver’s license and safe driving record. HAZWOPER Level I and II certification and required site-specific training are also specified. Pay is $45.00 to $50.00 per hour. Benefits include paid time off, health, dental, vision and life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering, and an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan.

Requirements

High school education or GED and the ability to read, write, and comprehend English-language operational, process, safety, and quality instructions.
More than five years of experience in a related position and environment, with knowledge of water/wastewater treatment methods, techniques, and practices.
Ability to perform basic mathematical equations.
Ability to use site-specific personal protective equipment, including respirators, gas detectors, and confined-space equipment.
Ability to operate facility equipment while meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets under general supervision.
Ability to diagnose process problems, troubleshoot equipment, and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
Working ability to use computer programs for process control.
Ability to work in a team and readily assume additional or new responsibilities.
Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
Typically holds a high-level water/wastewater treatment certificate and must hold the minimum water/wastewater license required by regulatory agencies at the site; highest-level state certification is specified.
HAZWOPER Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Level I and II certification.
Employee orientation, departmental operating procedures, safety, OSHA, and quality training.
Ability to meet the physical requirements, including walking up to five miles per shift, standing, occasional confined-space entry, and lifting up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in a science or technical area.
Forklift certification if required at the site.
Team Leader / Supervisory Training.
Cross-training, if feasible.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain water/wastewater treatment, processing, disposal, and testing equipment.
Operate and tend treatment machinery and related equipment, including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical-feed and odor-control equipment, and filters.
Monitor control panels, meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures, and process controls; adjust valves and gates to regulate flow.
Record operating conditions, observations, and data in the area shift log and ensure conformance with process specifications.
Troubleshoot and diagnose operational problems, take corrective action according to procedures, and report suspected malfunctions and variances to a supervisor.
Perform routine and preventive maintenance, including lubrication and minor adjustments.
Conduct field tests and laboratory tests; sample wastewater, sludge, and gases; prepare chemical solutions; and service automatic samplers.
Calibrate portable meters, including dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, oxygen, and lower explosive limit meters.
Monitor process chemical supplies and recommend reordering.
Perform manual labor, clean equipment, facilities, and grounds, and dispose of waste according to safety and environmental policies.
Operate vehicles for plant operational purposes.
Follow operational, process-control, safety, emergency-response, quality, and production-schedule requirements.
Recommend or adapt procedures, techniques, tools, materials, or equipment to meet special needs and suggest process improvements.
Act to prevent or resolve issues within authorized limits and promptly report actions and results.
Assist in other plant areas as needed and may orient or train new or less experienced operators.
Serve rotational 24-hour emergency on-call duty if required by the site.