Wastewater Operator I

About Veolia North America

A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water, and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has approximately 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. Please visit our website www.veolianorthamerica.com.

Job Description

BENEFITS

Veolia's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.  Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement. 

Position Information: 

This is a full-time, permanent Union position.

Additional Benefits:

• Union members are allowed to participate in the Veolia stock program.
• Union members are eligible for one time bonuses after obtaining a higher wastewater license:
  • Upon obtaining a MA Grade 6 license, employee receives a one time bonus of $375.
  • Upon obtaining a MA Grade 7 license, employee receives a one time bonus of $500.

Longevity pay for Years of Continuous Service milestones, which is paid annually:

• Over five (5) years, but less than ten (10) years $100.00.
• Over ten (10) years but less than fifteen (15) years $200.00.
• Over fifteen (15) years but less than twenty (20) years $250.00.
• Over twenty (20) years $360.00.
• Pay Rate: Many Union incentives are available that, upon successful completion, total up to:
  • Potential $2/HR increase in base pay rate.
  • Operator in training makes $26.13 per hour.
  • Grade 4 operator makes $31.81 per hour.
  • Grade 5 operator makes $32.14 per hour.
  • Grade 6 operator makes $34.58 per hour.
  • Grade 7 operator makes $35.61 per hour.
  • Grade 7 chief operator makes $36.95 per hour.

 Hours: 12am-8am Shift position with emergency on-call availability as required

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control and used to decontaminate wastewater by settling, aeration, and sludge processing.
• Monitors control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow.
• Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned area.
• Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
•  Ensures conformance to process specifications.  Troubleshoots and diagnoses operational problems and takes corrective action per procedure.  Verifies and reports suspected malfunctions and variances to supervisor. Performs routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.
• Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes.
• Samples wastewater, sludge, and gases (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
• Prepares chemical solutions and services automatic samplers.
• Performs lab tests applicable to permit testing and related reports per procedure.
• Performs instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen, lower explosive limit.
• Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder.
• Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required.
• Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication, and minor adjustments.
•  Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Practices good housekeeping in assigned area and properly disposes of waste according to safety and environmental policies.
• Performs a variety of manual functions.
• Duties involve the use of several procedures or processes and generally have predetermined standards.
• Uses some judgement to arrange job details in order to achieve pre-determined objectives.
• Requires some ability to analyze and resolve problems.     
• Must follow established operational, process control, safety, and emergency response procedures.  Must adhere to specifications and production schedule. 
• May suggest process improvements.
• Uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments.
• Asks for direction whenever events don't unfold as previously discussed or planned.
• Contacts with immediate associates and immediate supervisor for instructions, training, and guidance.
• Some contact with equipment suppliers to obtain operations and basic maintenance instructions.

Work Environment:

• Spends 100% of time in operations environment.
• May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicle to perform duties.
• Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work environment temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards and electrical equipment.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background:

• High School education or equivalent.
• The ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety, and quality instructions).
• Must have the ability to perform basic math equations.
• Associate’s degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
• Over five years’ experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of wastewater treatment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.
• Must consistently demonstrate the ability to operate all machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets under general supervision.
• Must demonstrate ability to efficiently operate all equipment in facility which may include pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses and measuring/control devices, testing equipment, and material handling equipment.
• Must have the ability to diagnose process problems regardless of complexity, troubleshoot equipment and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
• Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Must be able to serve rotational 24-hour emergency on-call if required by site.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training:

• Requires a Massachusetts Wastewater certification.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
• Employee Orientation, Departmental Operating Procedures, Safety, OSHA, and Quality Training.
• HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) Level I and II certification if required by site.
• Forklift Certification if required at site.  Works toward higher level Wastewater treatment certification.
• May perform more advanced functions as part of training and development.

Physical Requirements:

• Amount of time spent – Standing 25%, Walking 75% for as many as five miles per shift.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces.
• May be required to use ladders or stairs.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.
   

Additional Information

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.