Environmental Systems Control Operator

Radius Recycling, Inc.; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Radius Recycling, Inc. seeks an Environmental Control Systems Operator to manage and maintain environmental control systems across multiple facilities in the region.

You will conduct field sampling, monitor emissions and water systems, and ensure compliance with all permits and regulations under supervision from the REM and Environmental Department. The role requires 3–5 years of experience with environmental or manufacturing control systems, PLC familiarity, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years operating environmental or manufacturing control systems.
• Experience with PLCs and related maintenance.
• Knowledge of water and air sampling.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain ECSs across multiple facilities.
• Conduct on-site field sampling and record environmental data.
• Prepare permit-related records and reports for ECS compliance.
• Assist in planning, design, and installation of ECS improvements.
• Coordinate with REM and other staff on regulatory requirements.

Skills

Environmental systems

Field sampling

PLC programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or applied science

Tools

PLC operation packages

MS Office

ECS testing software

Job description

General Position Summary & Responsibilities

The Environmental Control Systems Operator (ECSO) reports directly to the Regional Environmental Manager (REM), and indirectly to the Regional Directors for SSI’s Auto and Metals Recycling Business (AMR) division. The ECSO’s work activities may be supervised by local and/or national employees within the Environmental Department. The ECSO is responsible for implementation of, and compliance with, company policies and procedural plans related to all environmental media, including air, stormwater, groundwater, solid, and/or hazardous waste. The ECSO assists the Regional Environmental Managers (REMs) by operating and maintaining environmental control systems (ECSs) (stormwater treatment systems and air discharge emission control systems) in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws, standards, and permits; and has responsibility for maintaining facility compliance with all applicable ECS permit conditions.

This position has direct responsibility for operating ECSs, conducting on-site fieldwork associated with sampling, monitoring, observing, and recording environmental data; and providing accurate and useful information to the REM and facility managers (upon request). The ECSO assists in the overall planning, design, installation, and has direct first line responsibility for effective operation of ECSs and associated metering and/or measuring devices. The ECSO may also assist the REM in providing immediate environmental emergency responses to ECS upset conditions, environmental incidents, spills, releases, and accidents. The ECSO provides appropriate notifications to management and appropriate regulatory agencies in consultation with the REM and/or national environmental staff.

This position operates within flexible parameters. The primary goal of this position is to maintain and operate ECSs at multiple facilities to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations, including conditions of applicable permits, regulatory orders, or other agreements, in a safe, effective, and efficient manner.

Salary Range

35.00 to 40.00 Hourly

Essential Functions

• 1) Environmental and Health & Safety (H&S)
  • Provides recommendations for improving environmental controls systems to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, increase system efficacy efficiency, and reduce capital and operating costs.
  • Front line responsibility for implementing necessary maintenance of improvements to ECSs, including retaining and managing various contractors when necessary.
  • Assists in development and implementation of environmental procedures applicable to ECS.
  • Ensures adherence to all company and divisional health, safety, and environmental standards.
  • Provides a safe environment for employees, customers, and visitors.
• 2) Operational Performance & Best Management Practices
  • Spends approximately 80% of time in the field to ensure effective and efficient operation of ECS’s. Stormwater system includes the following technologies: oil-water separation, gravity settling (detention/retention), polymer and enhanced settling, electrocoagulation, pressurized sand filtration, and carbon filtration. Air discharge emission control systems may include high velocity extraction systems (up to 300,000 cfm), large particulate material drop out boxes, cyclones, z-boxes, wet and dry venturi scrubbers, thermal oxidizers, acid gas scrubbers, baghouses, and associated water treatment systems for wet venturi scrubbers and acid gas scrubbers. Experience with similar ECSs or manufacturing control systems and associated programmable logic controller (PLC) based system operation, maintenance and troubleshooting is preferred.
  • Prepares and maintains permit-required environmental records and reports related to the ECSs.
  • Collects, evaluates, and disseminates pertinent information relating to ECS compliance requirements and maintains appropriate reference files.
  • Recommends changes in procedures, design, or equipment when necessary.
  • May perform other related duties (including site inspections, spill response preparedness, etc.) as assigned by SSI environmental staff.
• a) Reviews construction plans to ensure that pollution control considerations are adequate and provides technical guidance as needed for construction and installation of effective pollution control equipment.
• b) Collaborates with SSI Project Management team to manage contractors and equipment suppliers during installation of ECSs.
• c) Works closely with various operational department personnel to ensure proper management of all waste materials generated through operation and maintenance of environmental controls systems.
• d) Assists the REM as appropriate with permitting of ECS equipment.
• 5) Inventory & Quality Control
  • Maintains on-site records for ECSs.
• 6) Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Maintains budgets and schedules for ongoing operating expenses and capital improvements associated with ECSs.
• 7) Special Projects
  • Performs special projects or other duties as needed or assigned.

Specific Other Responsibilities (regional, local, compliance, etc.)

Internal Control Responsibilities:

• Supports the Company’s Internal Control process which includes understanding, communicating, and complying with defined internal controls as well as suggesting and making modifications to the policies, procedures, and controls to better manage compliance requirements for ECSs.
• Communicates challenges for operations, company policy violations or regulatory compliance issues to supervisor, other Environmental Department senior staff, or SSI Compliance Department.

Job Conditions

Office and active field working environment including performance of equipment troubleshooting and maintenance, standard system operation, collection of air and water samples for testing, and general information gathering at various locations. It is necessary to be able to walk/climb in active industrial facilities with uneven surfaces and to isolated areas. Must be comfortable with heights and an outdoor working environment, including exposure to inclement weather conditions. Position will occasionally respond to urgent situations on off hours and/or weekends and holidays.

Physical Activities Required to Perform Essential Functions

Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 50 pounds occasionally; be mobile within an office and field environment; operate an automobile; ability to travel frequently by auto or airplane to local and regional locations; climb; negotiate uneven surfaces; sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods of time; and keyboard for up to several hours per day. Visual acuity for extensive reading, examining documents, conducting equipment maintenance, field sampling, operating an automobile, and operating a laptop computer.

Qualifications

Extensive applied environmental or manufacturing control system operational experience is an essential qualification requirement. Minimum of three to five years’ experience operating environmental or manufacturing control systems including PLC programming and use, conducting routine maintenance and system troubleshooting, water, and air sampling, managing permit compliance activities, and generating/maintaining permit-required system operation records. Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other applied science discipline is preferred, but not required. This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive an automobile.

Ideal candidate possesses an ability to apply principles of logical and scientific thinking to define problems; collect data; establish facts; draw valid conclusions in controlled situations; and read and understand engineering plans and specifications to evaluate system performance and repair control system malfunctions rapidly and effectively when necessary. Preference for person with strong demonstrated experience operating and maintaining environmental or manufacturing control systems and maintaining associated permit-required compliance documentation. Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are required (ability to communicate in a professional manner in person, written documents and by e-mail/text/phone). Software proficiency requirements include: Microsoft Office Suite, environmental management systems, ECS testing or analytical programs, and PLC operation packages. Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental programs and regulations with approved sampling techniques and procedures is a plus.

PLEASE NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

All U.S. applicants must be 18 years of age or older and all Canada applicants must be 16 years of age or older.

Radius Recycling participates in e-verify for all U.S. new hires.

An offer of U.S. employment by Radius Recycling or any of its subsidiaries is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a post-offer drug screen and background check.

All new hires must review and sign an Arbitration Agreement. This applies to all U.S. non-union employees.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Radius Recycling does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, disability status, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, age, prior industrial injury, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected status under local, state or federal law.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.