Lead Operator

Veolia | North America; Westlake (LA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Veolia North America, LLC is seeking a Primary Operator to operate and maintain water and wastewater treatment equipment, ensuring permit compliance and process accuracy. You will monitor control panels, calibrate instruments, perform lab tests, and supervise or assist other operators as needed.

The role requires reading and following procedures, good teamwork, and willingness to participate in a 24-hour on-call schedule. A strong safety mindset and relevant certifications are essential.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor water/wastewater treatment equipment to meet permit standards.
• Tend pumps, engines, valves, mixers and related equipment in the treatment facility.
• Record operating data and perform routine maintenance and calibration.
• Troubleshoot process problems and implement corrective actions per procedure.
• Work with team and potentially lead other operators; participate in on-call rotations.

Skills

Math proficiency

PPE compliance

Equipment operation

Diagnostics

Computer literacy

Teamwork

On-call readiness

Skid Steer operation

Driver's license

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree in science/technical area (preferred)

Water/wastewater certification (Grade 3T/Grade 6C)

Tools

SCADA/PLC knowledge

Process control software

Job description

Company 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.

Company 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.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

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