Environmental Technician

Michigan Sugar Company; Bay City (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Sugar Company is seeking an Environmental Specialist for the Bay City Factory to lead the operation and optimization of environmental processes, including wastewater, air monitoring, and stormwater programs.

You will ensure compliance with EGLE regulations, coordinate sampling with the environmental laboratory, review data, and support maintenance and project planning, while on-call for emergencies during beet processing campaigns.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in environmental science or related field; 5–7 years' wastewater experience.
• Proven leadership and ability to communicate strategy to diverse teams.
• Mechanical aptitude with knowledge of wastewater equipment and tools.

Responsibilities

• Operate and optimize environmental processes including wastewater treatment, air monitoring, stormwater, and hazardous waste.
• Record data from daily plant operations and coordinate sampling with the environmental lab.
• Review operational data, adjust processes, and support maintenance planning and regulatory audits.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mechanical aptitude

P&IDs

MS Office

Education

Associate’s degree in environmental science or related field

Tools

Pumps & motors

SCADA/HMI

Laboratory QA/QC

Instrumentation

Job description

Safety First. Excellence. Pride. Integrity. Compassion. Trust. Are you ready to plant your career in a place where words like these serve as the foundation for doing business every day? At Michigan Sugar, our purpose is Making Life Sweeter, and our mission is Creating Growth and Opportunity.

Michigan Sugar Company has an immediate, full-time opportunity for a Environmental Specialist, located at the Bay City Factory, 2600 S. Euclid Ave., Bay City, MI 48706.

Job Summary

The Factory Environmental Specialist is responsible for the operation and optimization of environmental processes that include and support the wastewater treatment plant, air monitoring equipment and compliance, waste management and disposal, stormwater monitoring/reporting, review of environmental monitoring data and coordination of sampling with the environmental laboratory bench.

Primary Responsibilities

• Wastewater
• Record data on daily operation of Anamet (anaerobic reactor), including gas generation, temperature and flow
• Check influent pumps, chemical feed pumps, and sludge pumps for maintenance needs
• Monitor and record usage of treatment chemicals, such as polymer and micronutrients
• Maintain environmental chemicals, supplies and equipment in stock
• Assist in collecting daily samples, ensure proper sample locations, and identify maintenance required at sample points; perform lab analysis and/or ship samples to third‑party laboratories to assess Anamet health
• Review and perform analysis of operational test results for the wastewater treatment system and adjust flows, temperatures, etc. as required.
• Perform daily inspection of discharge to the river, and travel to discharge locations to collect/download sensor data for discharge monitoring and reporting.
• Perform daily visual inspection of ponds for discoloration, odor, unusual foam, breaches, structural integrity, etc. Document any findings and assist with corrective actions as appropriate.
• Walkthrough process area to check samplers, wastewater sump, and inspect for any unusual potential for wastewater loads
• Monitor, assist and optimize the mud solids separation equipment that begins with the flume clarifier/fiber screen operation to effectively remove solids from flume water and minimize solids entrained in the mud pond system.
• Perform monitoring and record keeping including but not limited to DMR, cooling tower MDS, lift station and others as required by permit or internal monitoring requirements, and compile data for submission of the monthly discharge monitoring report for wastewater and stormwater.
• Collect and ship sample(s) for environmental permits testing as needed
• Record and track the quantity of residual materials being removed during pond cleanout activities
• Support maintenance functions and project planning
• On‑Call for emergencies 24/7, primarily during the beet processing campaign; but potentially at any time throughout the year
• Hazardous Waste
• Inspect hazardous waste accumulation areas for used oil, parts washers, antifreeze, and lab waste for proper storage, labeling and disposal on a weekly basis.
• Coordinate hazardous and universal waste pickups with approved vendors, and maintain manifests, shipping records, and generator status documentation.
• Stormwater
• Inspect and document stormwater outfall observations per NPDES requirements, quarterly stormwater inspections as required by the SWPPP, and weekly site inspections to minimize potential for stormwater contamination; bring any findings to the attention of appropriate personnel.
• Collect samples for analysis per NPDES requirements.
• Air Quality
• Assist in determining if dust control measures are required to be implemented daily.
• Document any noted odors from the site (odor survey) and determine if odor‑neutralizing operations are necessary.
• Support air compliance monitoring and recordkeeping programs, including routine collection, logging, and organization of operational data required under facility air permits.
• Acquire Method 09 Visible Emissions certification and assist with visible emission monitoring as necessary
• Environmental Lab Bench
• Review analytical laboratory procedures as appropriate per industry standards
• Verify laboratory QA/QC procedures are being performed in accordance with the Environmental Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual
• Supervisory role to environmental lab bench technicians
• Assist with regulatory audits
• May occasionally be called upon to provide environmental compliance support (air, water, and solid Waste) at other Michigan Sugar Company facilities as operational needs or circumstances require.

Position Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in environmental science, Chemistry, Biology, or another technical degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Industrial experience with 5-7 years of wastewater treatment with progressive supervisory or management responsibilities, including exposure to quality assurance systems and environmental and safety regulations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate strategy and vision to team members.
• Mechanical aptitude and working knowledge of wastewater treatment equipment, including pumps, motors, blowers, valves, piping, and chemical feed systems, with the ability to safely use hand and power tools to perform basic inspection, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance.
• Ability to read and interpret process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), equipment manuals, and instrumentation (flow meters, pH/DO probes, level sensors, SCADA/HMI), and to follow lockout/tagout procedures when working on equipment.
• Proficient skills in company data management systems and Microsoft Office.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Ability to perform daily facility rounds and outdoor inspections in all seasonal weather conditions, including hot and cold temperatures, on uneven terrain, and on or near open water impoundments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly and up to 100 lbs occasionally.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and be able to operate a vehicle to navigate facility grounds, including wastewater ponds, impoundments, and remote storage areas.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders, access elevated equipment and structures (including emission stacks and pollution control equipment), and work at heights and in confined or restricted‑access areas consistent with facility safety protocols.
• Ability to work in an industrial environment with potential exposure to noise, dust, process chemicals, wastewater, and biological materials.
• Ability to wear and work in personal protective equipment (PPE) including respirators, chemical‑resistant gear, and hearing protection for extended periods.

Required Training

• General factory safety requirements (Right to Know)
• Factory-related environmental regulations
• Attend job related conferences, trainings and seminars
• Obtain and maintain EGLE required WWT Operator Certifications (within 6-9 months of hire)
• Obtain and maintain EGLE Industrial Storm Water Operator Certification
• Obtain and maintain RCRA training and certification to assist with the disposal of hazardous waste
• Obtain and maintain Method 9 Visible Emission Certification

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Ability to lead and develop cross functional teams.
• Ability to deliver results working within collective bargaining agreement.
• Demonstrated strong conflict resolution skills.
• Flexible and able to work in fast paced and varying environments.
• Models behavior that demonstrates corporate value.
• Leading by demonstrating ethics and integrity, displaying drive and purpose, demonstrated capability to learn, managing self, increasing self‑awareness.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this position. The above statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that may be required. All staff may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities as needed.

Michigan Sugar Company offers competitive market wages for both hourly and salaried employees, opportunity for professional growth and development, and comprehensive benefit packages that may include medical, dental, 401(k) and paid time off. To learn more visit www.michigansugar.com.

Michigan Sugar Company

was founded in 1906 when six smaller sugar companies merged their operations. In 2002, Michigan Sugar Company became a grower‑owned cooperative and in 2004, it merged with Monitor Sugar Company to form the company that exists today.

Michigan Sugar Company is headquartered in Bay City and has sugar beet processing facilities in Bay City, Caro, Croswell and Sebewaing. Its nearly 900 grower‑owners plant and harvest up to 140,000 acres of sugar beets each year in 17 Michigan counties, as well as Ontario, Canada. Those beets are sliced at the factories and turned into about 1.3 billion pounds of sugar annually.

That sugar is sold to industrial, commercial, and retail customers under the Pioneer and Big Chief brands.

Michigan Sugar Company has approximately 1,000 year‑round employees and an additional 1,100 seasonal workers. It is the No. 1 employer in Huron County, the No. 2 employer in Bay and Sanilac counties and the No. 3 employer in Tuscola County. The company’s annual payroll is more than $90 million and its annual local economic impact is about $700 million.

Michigan Sugar Company is the third largest of eight sugar beet processing companies in the United States and Michigan is one of 11 states where sugar beets are grown in the country.

Michigan Sugar Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer