Chief Operator – Water & Wastewater Operations

Woodard & Curran; Florida; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodard & Curran is seeking an experienced Chief Operator to lead day-to-day water and wastewater facility operations. You will ensure process control targets, regulatory compliance, and hands-on leadership of the operations team.

The role requires a Florida Water C license and 10 years of field experience, with strong skills in SCADA, lab testing, and staff training. A valid driver's license is also needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; advanced degree not specified.
• 10 years' experience in water or wastewater facilities.
• Florida Water C license or higher and Wastewater License C or higher.
• Valid State Driver’s License required.
• Proficiency with SCADA and MS Office; site systems experience.
• Ability to train and supervise operations staff; background check may be required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily facility operations and ensure processes run effectively.
• Achieve process control targets for treatment and odor control.
• Manage biosolids wasting, thickening, and dewatering operations.
• Implement monitoring and control procedures.
• Supervise sampling, laboratory testing, and result interpretation.
• Adjust treatment processes to maintain compliance with regulations.
• Train and supervise operations staff; assign PM tasks.
• Coordinate with management on major purchases and budget.

Skills

Supervisory experience

SCADA proficiency

Microsoft Word & Excel

Training and staff development

Valid State Driver’s License

Education

High school diploma or GED

Florida State Water C license, or higher

Wastewater Treatment Operator License C or higher

Tools

SCADA systems

Maintenance Management Programs

Job description

All Careers Chief Operator - Water & Wastewater Operations

Chief Operator - Water & Wastewater Operations

Woodard & Curran is an employee-owned engineering, science, and operations firm dedicated to clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports professional growth, flexibility, and meaningful work, empowering our employees to make a lasting impact on our clients, communities, and the planet.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an experienced Chief Operator to provide day-to-day operational leadership at our water and wastewater treatment facilities. Under the direction of the Project Manager or Area Manager, the Chief Operator is responsible for managing daily plant operations, maintaining process control, supporting regulatory compliance, and providing hands‑on leadership to the operations team.

This role is ideal for an experienced operator who brings strong technical knowledge of treatment processes, enjoys troubleshooting operational challenges, and is comfortable leading and developing other operators.

What You Will Be Doing at Woodard & Curran

• Oversee the daily operations of the facility and ensure treatment processes are operating effectively.
• Ensure the plant meets process control targets across treatment and odor control systems.
• Manage biosolids wasting, thickening, and dewatering operations.
• Implement policies and procedures for process monitoring and control.
• Supervise the collection of plant process samples and collect samples when necessary.
• Supervise or perform laboratory testing of plant process samples and interpret results.
• Supervise or perform adjustments to water or wastewater treatment processes, operations, and equipment to maintain compliance with local, state, and federal drinking water standards or discharge permit requirements.
• Evaluate equipment performance and correct deficiencies.
• Train and supervise operations staff in the performance of their duties.
• Assign preventative maintenance (PM) tasks to operations staff.
• Coordinate the maintenance and upkeep of facility grounds and landscaping.
• Develop and maintain wastewater records, including chemical usage, plant flows, equipment and process checklists, diaries, logbooks, and laboratory records.
• Coordinate with the Plant Manager and / or Area Manager with proposals and specifications for major purchases and requisitions for supplies and materials needed for effective facility operation.
• Assist with managing facility scope, schedule, and budget in accordance with contract requirements.

Schedule: Mon - Fri 7:00am - 3:30pm. The position may require an irregular work schedule and overtime. On call rotations, after hours, and holiday staffing will be required for this position.

What You Will Need to Succeed

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma or G.E.D.
• 10 years of experience working in a water or wastewater treatment facility.
• State of Florida Water C license or higher and Wastewater Treatment Operator License C or higher.
• Valid State Driver’s License.
• Proficiency with computers, including SCADA, Microsoft Word, Excel, Maintenance Management Programs, and other site‑specific systems.
• Ability to train and supervise operations staff and obtain a Florida DOT Medical Card.
• Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check, pre‑placement physical and drug screen before employment.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position is performed primarily in a plant environment and involves a combination of sitting, frequent standing and walking, lifting, carrying, bending, reaching, keyboarding, and telephone use. The Chief Operator must also be able to use tools to perform minor repairs on pumps and equipment.

Work may take place in interior and exterior environments involving temperature changes, dust, odors, chemicals, noise, machinery, and moving mechanical parts. Appropriate protective equipment in accordance with OSHA regulations may be required.

Additional physical requirements include:

• Standing, walking, or moving for 6 to 8 hours daily.
• Sitting for 1 to 3 hours daily.
• Performing operations and maintenance functions requiring manual dexterity, precision movements, repetitive arm and hand movements, grasping, and occasional forceful exertion.
• Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, reaching, and using stairs and ladders.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects and materials regularly weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Perceiving and distinguishing colors or shades of colors, sounds, odors, depth, and visual cues or signals.
• Operating a motor vehicle, including while towing portable equipment.
• Operating equipment, hand tools, computers, and standard office equipment.
• Working in confined spaces and at elevations.
• Working in adverse weather conditions.
• Wearing hearing protection or a respirator when required.

E-Verify Participation : Woodard & Curran participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. As part of this process, we provide access to the Right to Work & E-Verify postings.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility: Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non‑discrimination and make employment decisions based on job‑related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

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Depending on qualifications and experience. This position is a salaried role with the ability to earn Straight Time Overtime. Positions in this category are eligible to receive straight time overtime pay for certain hours worked over the employee’s standard work week.