Wastewater Supervisor

Butterball Careers•Mount Olive, NC

11d

About The Position

The Wastewater Supervisor guides a team responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of the wastewater treatment facility and associated agricultural land-application sites. The role oversees high-strength organic processing byproducts, dissolved air flotation (DAF) systems, lagoon systems, and safe agricultural application of treated effluent. It ensures compliance with regulations and company policies and procedures. The supervisor leads entry-level individual contributors, providing guidance, coaching, and support, and participates in hiring, performance management, goal setting, development, scheduling, and related HR activities. The position oversees treatment operations and preventive maintenance, manages spray fields and center-pivot irrigation, coordinates sampling and testing, reviews process data, and supports regulatory reporting and agency contact. It also enforces poultry biosecurity protocols and manages odor control systems. Work takes place across office and laboratory settings, a manufacturing plant, and farm environments. The role may involve occasional travel and requires personal protective equipment in laboratory, manufacturing, and farm settings. Butterball describes its culture as focused on safety, integrity, stewardship, enthusiastic attitudes, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 4 years of relevant experience, or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role.
At least 1 year of leadership experience, or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role.
Current state-issued Grade 2 Wastewater Operator License, or a Level 1 license with one year to achieve Grade 2 to serve as backup ORC, and a valid spray irrigation license.
Familiarity with SCADA systems, DAF, sludge management, and agricultural irrigation principles.
Knowledge of practical applications of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
Understanding of machinery principles and the overall process.
Leadership skills and ability to coach, support, and motivate a team.
Ability to use math and physics to identify calculations needed in maintenance.
Effective technology skills.
Root-cause analysis, accident investigation, and troubleshooting skills.
Ability to research, evaluate, and interpret data.
Effective communication, organization, time-management, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
Resource management, delegation, and prioritization skills.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Agriculture, or Civil Engineering.
3–5 years of experience in wastewater treatment operations, with specific experience handling high-organic food-processing waste; poultry or meat-processing experience is heavily preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise the day-to-day activities of a team of entry-level individual contributors; provide guidance, coaching, and support.
Participate in HR activities, including hiring, terminations, performance management, goal setting, team member development, and scheduling.
Enforce systems, policies, and procedures.
Supervise wastewater plant operating parameters, including screening, grit removal, DAF units, aerobic lagoon systems, and sludge dewatering equipment.
Develop, schedule, and control preventive maintenance for pumps, aerators, flow meters, screens, tractors, and farm irrigation equipment.
Oversee agricultural spray fields and center-pivot irrigation systems used for effluent land application; monitor soil health, crop nutrient uptake, hydraulic loading, and seasonal planting and harvesting cycles.
Serve as backup technical contact for regulatory agencies and maintain records and prepare daily, monthly, and quarterly reports, including reports related to NPDES and state land-application permits.
Coordinate sampling and testing for influent, effluent, soil, and groundwater monitoring wells.
Analyze BOD, TSS, FOG, pH, and nutrient data to proactively adjust treatment processes.
Enforce poultry biosecurity protocols to prevent cross-contamination between the wastewater facility, farm fields, and production plant.
Manage odor control systems to support positive community relations.