Associate Wastewater Technician — Enviro & Plant Ops

UNC Dairy; North Carolina; On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is seeking an Associate Wastewater Technician to support the WWTS at the North Country Dairy facility. You will assist in regulatory compliance, sampling, and daily operations to ensure safety, cleanliness, and environmental adherence.

The role requires mechanical aptitude, a willingness to work in a union environment, and flexibility for shifts, including overnight or afternoons. Strong teamwork and organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• BS in Sciences, EHS, or related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1–3 years of experience in wastewater treatment, industrial, or manufacturing environment; or demonstrated mechanical/technical aptitude.
• Basic laboratory skills preferred.
• Familiarity with environmental regulations a plus, not required at entry.

Responsibilities

• Support facility compliance efforts with environmental laws and regulations (EPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, etc.) under Wastewater Technician/EH&S Manager direction
• Assist with environmental permit compliance tracking for air, wastewater, stormwater, and waste management
• Participate in routine site inspections and support environmental audits
• Support environmental programs including spill prevention, waste reduction, and recycling initiatives
• Oversee daily WWTS operations including general housekeeping, routine sampling, and PM task tracking
• Operate wastewater treatment equipment (aeration system, blowers) under established procedures
• Monitor wastewater treatment processes and elevate deviations from discharge permit or operating requirements
• Perform basic inspection, testing, and maintenance tasks requiring mechanical aptitude, including: blower repairs, air piping inspection, mowing/brush hog operation, lagoon vegetation removal, tree/brush removal, and annual barley straw application
• Obtain wastewater samples and run lab analysis; complete chain of custody documentation for grab and composite sampling
• Maintain accurate operational records, laboratory results, and compliance documentation
• Support coordination of maintenance and repair activities with Engineering, Maintenance, and external service providers
• Assist in analyzing WWTS performance data and flag anomalies for Wastewater Technician review
• Participate in daily huddle meetings to support safety presence
• Conduct walkthroughs focused on safe work practice adherence
• Support near-miss and hazard recognition follow-up
• Assist with Open Action Item tracking and status updates
• Support new employee safety orientations
• Perform proactive safety functions as directed

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Teamwork

Shift flexibility

On-call eligibility

Education

BS in Sciences, EHS, or related field

1–3 years wastewater/industrial experience

Basic laboratory skills

Job description

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is seeking an Associate Wastewater Technician to support the WWTS at the North Country Dairy facility. You will assist in regulatory compliance, sampling, and daily operations to ensure safety, cleanliness, and environmental adherence.

The role requires mechanical aptitude, a willingness to work in a union environment, and flexibility for shifts, including overnight or afternoons. Strong teamwork and organizational skills are essential.