Wastewater Operator

Soulshine Farms•Gainesville, GA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

SoulShine Farms is seeking reliable, safety-minded individuals to join our maintenance team as Wastewater Operator at our plant in Gainesville, Georgia. This is an hourly position, and you will be paid weekly for hours worked. Position Summary The Wastewater Operator operates, monitors, and maintains wastewater treatment and pretreatment systems supporting Soulshine Farms’ poultry further processing facility located in Gainesville, GA. This hands-on role manages wastewater generated by production and sanitation, maintains reliable treatment performance, and supports compliance with applicable discharge limits and environmental requirements. The operator partners with Maintenance, Production, Sanitation, and EHS to prevent disruptions, resolve treatment issues, and protect employee safety and the environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least three years of wastewater treatment or industrial pretreatment operating experience.
Working knowledge of wastewater process controls, sampling methods, basic laboratory testing, chemical dosing, and environmental operating records.
Ability to troubleshoot pumps, valves, instrumentation, and treatment equipment; recognize process changes and take timely corrective action.
Ability to read operating procedures, safety data sheets, equipment instructions, and applicable permit requirements; perform basic calculations and accurately record data.
Basic computer skills for logs, spreadsheets, email, and maintenance work orders.
Ability to work independently, communicate clearly across shifts and departments, and follow safety and food safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience in poultry further processing, food manufacturing, or another operation with high organic loads and fats, oils, and grease.
Experience operating DAF systems, conducting jar tests, adjusting polymer and coagulant feed, and managing sludge dewatering.
Technical coursework in wastewater treatment, environmental technology, industrial maintenance, or a related field.
Possess, or willing to obtain within one year, a pre-treatment wastewater operator’s license.

Responsibilities

Operate and monitor installed wastewater systems, including screening, equalization, dissolved air flotation (DAF), chemical feed, pumps, and sludge handling equipment, as applicable to the facility.
Monitor flows, tank levels, pH, chemical usage, alarms, and other process indicators; adjust operating settings within approved procedures to maintain treatment performance and discharge compliance.
Manage treatment of fats, oils, grease, suspended solids, and organic loading from poultry processing and sanitation; identify changes in wastewater characteristics and respond promptly.
Collect representative samples at required locations and frequencies; perform authorized process tests and coordinate laboratory testing for permit parameters such as BOD, COD, TSS, and fats, oils, and grease.
Maintain accurate operating logs, sample records, instrument checks, chemical inventory, maintenance records, and sludge disposal documentation; provide data for required environmental reports.
Inspect equipment, clean screens and treatment areas, calibrate instruments, and perform routine preventive maintenance within training and authorization; coordinate repairs with Maintenance.
Handle, store, and dose treatment chemicals safely using required protective equipment, safety data sheets, approved procedures, and spill prevention practices.
Coordinate with Production and Sanitation on schedules, cleaning activities, and unusual discharges that could affect treatment capacity or performance; recommend source reduction and water conservation improvements.
Identify and promptly escalate equipment failures, spills, abnormal readings, and potential discharge exceedances; initiate approved response procedures and support required notifications through designated management.
Coordinate sludge removal and approved waste hauling; monitor storage capacity and maintain orderly, safe wastewater operating areas.
Support inspections, audits, root cause investigations, and corrective actions with EHS, management, laboratories, and service providers.
Maintain required operator certification and complete continuing education; perform other related duties as assigned.