Lead Operator

Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 73,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc. seeks a Lead Industrial Wastewater Treatment Operator to support contract operations for municipal and industrial clients from our Columbia or Greenville offices.

A South Carolina Grade B license is preferred or required depending on project needs, with hands-on rounds, sampling, and regulatory compliance. You will operate physical/chemical systems, monitor processes, collect samples, and maintain records while ensuring safety, permit compliance, and timely

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• SC Physical/Chemical Wastewater Treatment Operator license, Grade B or higher, preferred/required per project.
• Trainee license or relevant industrial wastewater experience considered case-by-case.
• Reciprocity for SC licensed from another state is acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Operate wastewater treatment systems safely and in compliance with client requirements and permits.
• Perform routine operator rounds, inspect equipment, record data, and identify adjustments or maintenance needs.
• Collect wastewater samples, perform field tests, read meters, and maintain records for compliance.
• Monitor and adjust treatment processes including pH, chemical feed, filtration, metals removal, and solids handling.
• Perform basic preventive maintenance and troubleshoot pumps, valves, tanks, and related equipment.
• Support permit compliance by following SOPs and implementing corrective actions when needed.
• Handle chemicals safely and follow PPE and environmental procedures.
• Communicate professionally with clients, supervisors, lab personnel, contractors, and other operators.
• Use Outlook, MS Office, Teams, and site data entry/reporting systems.
• Be available for after-hours, weekend/holiday, and emergency support.
• Work outdoors in industrial environments around operating equipment.
• Stay organized and responsive when prioritizing rounds, sampling, maintenance, alarms, and client requests.
• Continue developing operator knowledge and pursue higher levels of certification.

Skills

Wastewater treatment operations

Process monitoring

Sampling

Safety procedures

Client communication

Education

South Carolina Wastewater Operator license, Grade B

Job description

Weston & Sampson Services is seeking a Lead Industrial Wastewater Treatment Operator to support contract operations and maintenance for municipal and industrial clients from our Columbia or Greenville, South Carolina offices. The ideal candidate will hold a South Carolina Physical/Chemical Wastewater Treatment Operator license, Grade B or higher, and have hands‑on experience with routine plant rounds, process monitoring, sampling, equipment maintenance, chemical handling, and regulatory compliance.

What you’ll do:

• Operate assigned physical/chemical wastewater treatment systems safely, reliably, and in accordance with client requirements, permit limits, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Perform routine operator rounds, inspect treatment equipment, record operating data, and identify conditions that may require adjustment, maintenance, or escalation.
• Collect wastewater samples, perform field and basic process testing, read meters and gauges, and maintain accurate records for operational and compliance purposes.
• Monitor and adjust physical/chemical treatment processes, which may include pH adjustment, chemical feed, clarification, filtration, metals removal, solids handling, and related process controls.
• Perform basic preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on pumps, valves, mixers, tanks, chemical feed systems, instrumentation, and other treatment plant equipment.
• Support permit compliance by following standard operating procedures, documenting plant performance, communicating abnormal conditions, and helping implement corrective actions when needed.
• Handle treatment chemicals safely and follow all applicable safety, PPE, housekeeping, and environmental procedures.
• Communicate professionally with clients, supervisors, laboratory personnel, contractors, and other operators to support dependable contract operations.
• Use common computer programs and digital tools, including Outlook, Microsoft Office, Teams, and site‑specific data entry or reporting systems.
• Be available for after‑hours response, weekend or holiday coverage, and emergency support as needed for assigned facilities.
• Work outdoors and in industrial plant environments, including performing physical tasks in varying weather conditions and around operating equipment.
• Stay organized, dependable, and responsive when prioritizing daily rounds, sampling, maintenance needs, alarms, and client requests.
• Continue developing operator knowledge and pursue higher levels of certification as experience and project needs increase.

• Other duties as assigned by management.

What you will bring:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Current South Carolina Physical/Chemical Wastewater Treatment Operator license, Grade B or higher, preferred or required depending on assigned project needs.
• Applicants with a South Carolina Physical/Chemical trainee license or relevant industrial wastewater experience may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Applicants licensed in another state who are eligible for South Carolina reciprocity will be considered.

Pay Range: $35.00 - $42.00 per hour depending on experience

Overview:

At Weston & Sampson, you’ll work alongside more than 1,000 employee‑owners who are passionate about improving our communities. From providing clean water to designing resilient infrastructure and sustainable environments, our work has a direct impact on quality of life. We’re looking for curious, driven professionals who want to contribute to innovative, impactful projects and grow with a team that supports them.

We are a 100% employee‑owned, interdisciplinary firm offering design, engineering, and environmental services. Since our founding in 1899, we have worked to build a collaborative, forward‑thinking environment grounded in respectfor each other’s ideas.

We offer:

• Meaningful work:Contribute to projects that protect and enhance the natural and built environments
• Ownership mindset: As an employee‑owner, your work directly contributes to our shared success
• Growth opportunities: Build your career through mentorship, diverse projects, and clear advancement pathways
• Flexible workplace: Work in a way that supports your life and not the other way around
• Strong culture: Join a team that values collaboration, inclusion, and recognition

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA)

We believe diverse perspectives make us stronger. Weston & Sampson is committed to fostering a culture of belonging where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. We actively support IDEA principles across our organization and in our daily work.

Ready to transform your environment? Let’s work together.

Explore opportunities and apply: https://www.westonandsampson.com/careers

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Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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