Lead Operator

Veolia; Westlake (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid volunteering

Paid time off

Job summary

Veolia operates water and wastewater treatment facilities across North America and seeks a skilled operator to maintain and optimize processes. The role requires hands-on management of treatment systems, instrumentation, and daily testing to ensure permit compliance and reliability.

Candidates with an Associate's degree and 5+ years in related work will thrive in a structured, safety-focused environment with opportunities to mentor staff and improve procedures.

Qualifications

• High School education with ability to read, write and comprehend English.
• Associate's degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
• Over five years experience in a related water/wastewater position.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain water/wastewater treatment equipment and processes.
• Monitor control panels, adjust valves, and regulate flow as needed.
• Perform field tests and lab tests per procedure for permit compliance.
• Troubleshoot problems and report variances to supervisor.
• Lead or assist with training and orientation of new operators.

Skills

Basic math

PPE proficiency

Equipment operation

Teamwork

24-hour on-call

Education

High School diploma

Associate's degree in science/technical area

Tools

Skid Steer Loader

Yard Mule

Job description

Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country's largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.

Job Description

Position Purpose:

Operates and maintains water/wastewater treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in
water/wastewater treatment facility to purify water to meet permit and operational requirements. Is fully qualified
to perform the most complex functions and may lead the work of others. Serves as Primary Operator with
responsibility for State reporting and compliance.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control and vacuum filters used to decontaminate waste water by settling, aeration and sludge digestion.
• Monitors control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow.
• Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned area.
• Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
• Ensures conformance to process specifications. Troubleshoots and diagnoses operational problems and takes corrective action per procedure. Verifies and reports suspected malfunctions and variances to supervisor. Performs routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.
• Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes.
• Samples wastewater, sludge and gases (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
• Prepares chemical solutions and services automatic samplers.
• Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder.
• Performs lab tests applicable to permit testing and related reports per procedure.
• Performs instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen, lower explosive limit.
• Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required.
• Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
• Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Practices good housekeeping in assigned area and properly disposes of waste according to safety and environmental policies.
• Assigns, monitors & reviews accuracy of work, no authority for personnel actions, work time is spent performing many of the same duties of those in group.
• Models and teaches compliance with all work practices, policies and procedures.
• Must follow established operational, process control, safety and emergency response procedures. Must adhere to specifications and production schedule.
• May recommend or adapt procedures, techniques, tools, materials and/or equipment to meet special needs. Is expected to suggest process improvements.
• Frequent contact with plant operators and other personnel in order to understand issues.
• Frequent contact with less experienced maintenance personnel, training, coaching.
• Frequent contact with equipment suppliers to obtain operations and maintenance instructions.
• Assists in other areas of plant as needed. May assist with orienting or training new or less experienced Operators.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background:

• High School education or equivalent with the ability to read, write and comprehend English
  (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
• Associate's degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
• Over five years experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must have the ability to perform basic math equations.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.)
• Must consistently demonstrate the ability to operate all machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets under general supervision.
• Must demonstrate ability to efficiently operate all equipment in the facility which may include pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses and measuring/control devices, testing equipment, and material handling equipment.
• Must have the ability to diagnose process problems regardless of complexity, troubleshoot equipment and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
• Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Must be able to serve rotational 24 hour emergency on-call if required by site.
• Must be able to operate a Skid Steer Loader and a Yard Mule to move trailers

Required Certification/Licenses/Training:

• Typically holds a Minimum or a Grade 3T water Cert /wastewater treatment Grade 6C
  certificate. (Requires minimum water/wastewater license as required by regulatory agencies
  at site).
• Must possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record.
• Must have TWIC Card

Additional Information

Benefits:Veolia's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.