DI Plant Operator

Culligan Midwest; Olathe (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Free uniforms

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Wellness resources

Job summary

Culligan Midwest in Olathe, KS seeks a Deionized Water Plant Operator to support DI system regeneration, monitoring production, and ensuring water quality to meet customer specifications and regulatory standards. This role will assist in maintenance, data logging, and safety compliance in a fast-paced facility.

The operator will work under the Deionized Water Plant Supervisor, coordinating with production and logistics teams to meet delivery schedules and maintain system performance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1-2 years of experience in water treatment, manufacturing, or industrial operations preferred.
• Experience with water treatment systems, deionization, or reverse osmosis a plus.
• Understanding of water chemistry and treatment processes.
• Ability to read and interpret gauges, meters, and technical diagrams.
• Basic math skills for calculating chemical dosages and flow rates.
• Mechanical aptitude for equipment troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Computer skills for data entry and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor deionization systems, including mixed bed units, reverse osmosis systems, and regeneration equipment.
• Conduct regular water quality testing using conductivity meters, pH meters, and other testing equipment to ensure product meets specifications.
• Monitor system pressures, flow rates, and chemical levels throughout production cycles.
• Perform resin regeneration procedures using acid and caustic solutions according to established protocols.
• Maintain accurate production logs and quality control documentation.
• Adjust equipment settings to optimize water quality and production efficiency.
• Assist the Deionized Water Plant Supervisor with production planning and scheduling.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on deionization equipment, pumps, valves, and filtration systems.
• Inspect equipment for leaks, wear, or malfunction and report issues promptly to the supervisor.
• Replace filters, check valves, and other consumable components as needed.
• Clean and sanitize tanks, lines, and equipment according to schedule.
• Assist with major equipment repairs and system upgrades under supervisor guidance.
• Support the supervisor in maintaining equipment maintenance schedules and records.
• Follow all safety protocols when handling chemicals, including proper use of PPE.
• Maintain MSDS and ensure compliance with hazardous material handling procedures.
• Conduct safety inspections and report any hazards or concerns.
• Comply with environmental regulations for wastewater discharge and chemical storage.
• Participate in safety training and emergency response drills.
• Assist the supervisor with safety audits and compliance documentation.
• Perform water quality testing at specified intervals and document results.
• Investigate and resolve quality issues or deviations from specifications.
• Maintain calibration records for testing and monitoring equipment.
• Ensure finished product meets customer specifications before delivery or bottling.
• Support the supervisor in quality control initiatives and process improvements.
• Coordinate with delivery teams to ensure timely production for customer orders throughout the Kansas City market.
• Load deionized water for delivery or bottling operations.
• Communicate with customers regarding product quality or delivery schedules as needed.
• Maintain inventory of chemicals, resins, and supplies.
• Assist the supervisor with customer-related issues and special production requests.
• Provide backup support to the Deionized Water Plant Supervisor during absences.
• Assist with training new operators on equipment and procedures.
• Communicate operational issues, equipment needs, and improvement opportunities to the supervisor.
• Support the supervisor in implementing process improvements and efficiency initiatives.

Skills

Water chemistry

Reading gauges/meters

Chemical dosing

Equipment maintenance

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Free uniforms
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

The Deionized Water Plant Operator is responsible for DI tank regeneration using in plant equipment, maintaining systems, monitoring performance and system operations at our Olathe facility to produce high-quality deionized water treatment tanks that meets customer specifications and regulatory standards. This position supports the Deionized Water Plant Supervisor in daily plant operations, ensuring efficient equipment performance, proper maintenance protocols, and adherence to safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Operations & Production

• Operate and monitor deionization systems, including mixed bed units, reverse osmosis systems, and regeneration equipment
• Conduct regular water quality testing using conductivity meters, pH meters, and other testing equipment to ensure product meets specifications
• Monitor system pressures, flow rates, and chemical levels throughout production cycles
• Perform resin regeneration procedures using acid and caustic solutions according to established protocols
• Maintain accurate production logs and quality control documentation
• Adjust equipment settings to optimize water quality and production efficiency
• Assist the Deionized Water Plant Supervisor with production planning and scheduling

Maintenance & Equipment Care

• Perform routine preventive maintenance on deionization equipment, pumps, valves, and filtration systems
• Inspect equipment for leaks, wear, or malfunction and report issues promptly to the supervisor
• Replace filters, check valves, and other consumable components as needed
• Clean and sanitize tanks, lines, and equipment according to schedule
• Assist with major equipment repairs and system upgrades under supervisor guidance
• Support the supervisor in maintaining equipment maintenance schedules and records

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all safety protocols when handling chemicals, including proper use of PPE
• Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and ensure compliance with hazardous material handling procedures
• Conduct safety inspections and report any hazards or concerns
• Comply with environmental regulations for wastewater discharge and chemical storage
• Participate in safety training and emergency response drills
• Assist the supervisor with safety audits and compliance documentation

Quality Assurance

• Perform water quality testing at specified intervals and document results
• Investigate and resolve quality issues or deviations from specifications
• Maintain calibration records for testing and monitoring equipment
• Ensure finished product meets customer specifications before delivery or bottling
• Support the supervisor in quality control initiatives and process improvements

Customer Service & Logistics

• Coordinate with delivery teams to ensure timely production for customer orders throughout the Kansas City market
• Load deionized water for delivery or bottling operations
• Communicate with customers regarding product quality or delivery schedules as needed
• Maintain inventory of chemicals, resins, and supplies
• Assist the supervisor with customer-related issues and special production requests

Supervisory Support

• Provide backup support to the Deionized Water Plant Supervisor during absences
• Assist with training new operators on equipment and procedures
• Communicate operational issues, equipment needs, and improvement opportunities to the supervisor
• Support the supervisor in implementing process improvements and efficiency initiatives

Required Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• 1-2 years of experience in water treatment, manufacturing, or industrial operations preferred
• Experience with water treatment systems, deionization, or reverse osmosis a plus
• Previous experience in a manufacturing or production environment helpful

Technical Skills

• Understanding of water chemistry and treatment processes
• Ability to read and interpret gauges, meters, and technical diagrams
• Basic math skills for calculating chemical dosages and flow rates
• Mechanical aptitude for equipment troubleshooting and maintenance
• Computer skills for data entry and record-keeping

Certifications & Licenses

• Valid driver's license required
• Forklift certification preferred or willingness to obtain
• Water treatment or wastewater operator certification a plus
• OSHA safety training beneficial

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly
• Comfortable working in industrial environment with varying temperatures and humidity
• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights when necessary
• Prolonged standing and walking throughout shift
• Ability to wear required PPE including safety glasses, gloves, and protective clothing

Work Schedule:

• Standard shift hours with potential for overtime, weekends, or on-call duties