Wastewater Treatment Plant Senior Operator - Kona

Aqua Engineers•Kailua-Kona, HI

About The Position

Responsible for operating and maintaining a Grade III or Grade IV wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), including equipment and operating devices, physical and chemical testing, plant records, and operational reporting. The role supports safe, efficient, and economical plant operations to optimize treatment processes and protect public health. It also includes responsibility for sewer pump stations (SPS), troubleshooting plant equipment, interpreting operational and laboratory data, and recommending improvements to equipment and processes. The Senior Operator provides leadership to WWTP Operators and exercises authority over other employees. The role requires independent organization and management of assigned work, problem-solving, adherence to safety practices, and the ability to adjust established approaches as situations require. It also involves communicating and documenting information, reviewing reports and analyses, instructing others in operational procedures, and resolving conflicts with employees, customers, the public, and external entities. The position may involve hazardous, unsanitary, or unpleasant conditions; shift, weekend, and holiday schedules; and heavy lifting up to 50 pounds. Pay is $36.07–$44.10 per hour, with an annual incentive bonus earning potential of 12% of base pay.

Requirements

Possess a valid driver's license.
Possess, or be able to obtain through reciprocity, a valid State of Hawaii Grade IV WWTP Operator License.
Have knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including MBBR, MBR, SBR, extended aeration, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, bio-towers, activated sludge, primary and secondary clarifiers, rotating biological contactors, and trickling filters.
Have knowledge of wastewater treatment plant and collection system operations and maintenance, and reuse water treatment and disposal, at the level expected of a State of Hawaii Grade IV WWTP Operator.
Have thorough operating knowledge of two listed processes: anaerobic or aerobic digestion, thickening, chemical and biological, chemical recovery, carbon regeneration, on-site disinfectant generation, oxidation ditch, ultraviolet disinfection, odor scrubbing, chlorination and de-chlorination, membrane and sand filtration, or activated sludge.
Be able to operate and maintain electrical controls and equipment, diagnose plant equipment, and supervise corrective work.
Be able to use the company's computerized maintenance software.
Be able to prepare basic correspondence and simple reports in Microsoft Word and create tables and simple displays of information in Microsoft Excel.
Be able to interpret and communicate written and verbal opinions and analyses of collected information.
Meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary for the duties.
Be able to work shift, weekend, and holiday schedules.
Be able to perform heavy lifting up to 50 pounds and other manual work under adverse conditions.
Be able to work independently and as part of a team, organize work, manage assigned responsibilities on a fixed schedule, and apply problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain equipment at a Grade III or Grade IV wastewater treatment plant to support safe, efficient, and economical operations.
Maintain and upkeep plant equipment and operating devices.
Perform physical and chemical tests.
Provide leadership to WWTP Operators and exercise leadership authority over other employees.
Interpret data and recommend improvements to plant equipment and processes.
Operate and maintain sewer pump stations (SPS).
Troubleshoot plant equipment and oversee correction of equipment issues.
Maintain plant records and prepare operational reports.
Review equipment operational reports and laboratory analyses of wastewater, and instruct others in operational practices and procedures.
Compile, analyze, and prepare correspondence, reports, articles, and other documentation.
Resolve conflicts involving employees, customers or clients, the public, legal entities, or governmental authorities.
Follow appropriate safety rules and practices.