Lead Water/Wastewater Operator

Woodard & Curran Inc.; Fort Meade (FL); On-site; USD 44,083 - 52,348; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-call incentive ($200) weekly

Sign-on bonus

Annual project bonuses

Annual safety bonuses

401(k) match

Job summary

Woodard & Curran in Florida is seeking a Water/Wastewater Lead Operator to oversee daily operations and maintenance of one drinking water facility and one wastewater plant, under the Project Manager. This role offers upward mobility within the utility field and a clear path for career growth.

You will monitor processes, perform sampling, ensure compliance with federal and state standards, and lead a small team.

Qualifications

• High School Degree or Equivalent.
• Valid Florida Driver's License required.
• Must possess at least a valid State of Florida Class "C" Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Class “C” license.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in Wastewater Plant operations with management experience.
• Ability to make sound decisions in process control and follow instructions, as well as following safety procedures.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds on a regular basis.
• Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check, pre-placement physical and drug screen before employment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor water/wastewater treatment plant processes and equipment both manually and via SCADA automation, adjusting as necessary to control their operation.
• Perform water quality sampling, testing, and analysis to determine compliance with federal, state, and EPA standards.
• Operate, maintain, control, and perform routine repair of plant equipment, including preventive maintenance duties.
• Utilize software programs for maintenance work orders and maintain all necessary records.
• Perform general maintenance duties of plant and other assigned duties.
• Conduct daily operational checks at five drinking water facilities and two wastewater treatment facilities, ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, and performance standards, while monitoring staff activities for adherence to protocols
• Monitor and evaluate the operations of a large, complex water and wastewater treatment facility and its auxiliary systems; maintains plant log.
• Lead and train subordinate operational and maintenance staff assigned; advise and instruct on methods and techniques for improving efficiency of duties and operations.
• Reviews trends, records, and reports to maintain proper procedure and standards; collects and tabulates operational log data for regulatory agencies.
• Recognize deviations or irregularities in the plant operation and maintenance; adjust the treatment plant process and equipment in order to maintain the required quality standards of the federal, state, and county regulatory agencies.
• Sample, measure, and test plant values such as pH, chlorine residuals, temperature, solids concentration, levels, and others; make operational corrections and adjustments; collect required samples for on and offsite analysis.
• Collaborate with maintenance staff on specific projects; adjust or bypass job specific areas, processes, or equipment to ensure consistent wastewater treatment, plant integrity, and safety.
• Test, monitor, record, evaluate, troubleshoot, repair, and adjust the operation of plant emergency generator and auxiliary equipment.
• Assist contractors and consultants with specific tasks.
• Assist in preparing standard operating procedures.
• Oversee Plant operations to remain in compliance of all Federal, State, County and City regulations and standards when the Operations Chief is not onsite.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and standard operating procedures.
• Work around high voltage, rotating equipment and various hazardous chemicals.
• May assist Federal, State and local regulators during plant compliance inspections.

Skills

Ability to lift 40 pounds

Decision making in process control

Safety procedures compliance

Strong communication

Education

High School Degree or Equivalent

Florida Class C Drinking Water and Wastewater License

Job description

Woodard & Curran is a national engineering, science and operations firm with a simple vision for clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities and happy people. As an employee-owned company, we strive to cultivate teams that encourage collaboration in an inclusive culture. We seek talented individuals from all backgrounds to help us address a broad range of water and environmental issues. We prioritize our people, offering opportunities for professional growth, ownership and flexibility. This commitment enables us to make a meaningful impact on our clients, communities and the planet.

Woodard & Curran draws on the experience of hundreds of certified operators across the country, backed by the knowledge and skills of hundreds more engineers, scientists, and regulatory experts, to quickly tackle the most challenging operational issues and keep treatment plants running efficiently and in full compliance. Woodard & Curran also reimburse employees in earning, upgrading, and keeping their licenses and certifications within the industry.

Woodard & Curran is growing, and to meet this demand, we are looking for a Water/Wastewater Lead Operator! In this role, you will regularly participate in the daily operations and maintenance of one Water and one Wastewater Treatment Facility as directed by the Project Manager. This position comes with the opportunity for upward mobility to advance your career in the utility field. Woodard & Curran is dedicated to our employees’s growth and development and wants to help you on your career path!

Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 7.00 – 3.30pm. Reliable and dependable attendance is an essential function of the position. Availability for a rotating on-call schedule for emergency events and alarm call-outs required.

• On-call, incentives offer $200 for the week you are on call (this is on a rotation).
• Compensation for being on call is 2hrs minimum paid for each call out received.
• Annual Project bonuses are awarded each year.
• Annual Safety bonuses are awarded each year.

This position is eligible for a $2,500.00 sign-on bonus.

What will you be doing at Woodard & Curran?

• Monitor water/wastewater treatment plant processes and equipment both manually and via SCADA automation, adjusting as necessary to control their operation.
• Perform water quality sampling, testing, and analysis to determine compliance with federal, state, and EPA standards.
• Operate, maintain, control, and perform routine repair of plant equipment, including preventive maintenance duties.
• Utilize software programs for maintenance work orders and maintain all necessary records.
• Perform general maintenance duties of plant and other assigned duties.
• Conduct daily operational checks at five drinking water facilities and two wastewater treatment facilities, ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, and performance standards, while monitoring staff activities for adherence to protocols
• Monitor and evaluate the operations of a large, complex water and wastewater treatment facility and its auxiliary systems; maintains plant log.
• Lead and train subordinate operational and maintenance staff assigned; advise and instruct on methods and techniques for improving efficiency of duties and operations.
• Reviews trends, records, and reports to maintain proper procedure and standards; collects and tabulates operational log data for regulatory agencies.
• Recognize deviations or irregularities in the plant operation and maintenance; adjust the treatment plant process and equipment in order to maintain the required quality standards of the federal, state, and county regulatory agencies.
• Sample, measure, and test plant values such as pH, chlorine residuals, temperature, solids concentration, levels, and others; make operational corrections and adjustments; collect required samples for on and offsite analysis.
• Collaborate with maintenance staff on specific projects; adjust or bypass job specific areas, processes, or equipment to ensure consistent wastewater treatment, plant integrity, and safety.
• Test, monitor, record, evaluate, troubleshoot, repair, and adjust the operation of plant emergency generator and auxiliary equipment.
• Assist contractors and consultants with specific tasks.
• Assist in preparing standard operating procedures.
• Oversee Plant operations to remain in compliance of all Federal, State, County and City regulations and standards when the Operations Chief is not onsite.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and standard operating procedures.
• Work around high voltage, rotating equipment and various hazardous chemicals.
• May assist Federal, State and local regulators during plant compliance inspections.

What will you need to succeed?

• High School Degree or Equivalent.
• Valid Florida Driver's License required.
• Must possess at least a valid State of Florida Class "C" Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Class “C” license.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in Wastewater Plant operations with management experience.
• Ability to make sound decisions in process control and follow instructions, as well as following safety procedures.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds on a regular basis.
• Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check, pre-placement physical and drug screen before employment.

$32 - $38 an hour

Pay Range depends upon experience and certification.

Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR)

As part of our commitment to a fair and respectful workplace, Woodard & Curran uses a Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR)to help resolve most employment-related concerns efficiently and consistently.

What this means:

• MDR applies to both you and the Company
• Most workplace-related disputes are resolved throughbinding arbitration, rather than court proceedings
• Certain exceptions are outlined in the full agreement

If you are offered a position with Woodard & Curran, you will be asked to review and sign the MDR as part of your offer packet.

Employee Support & Benefits

Retirement Savings:

• 401(k) Pre-tax or Roth Contributions: The company matches 100% of the first 3% of salary contributed

Time away from work:

• Observed holidays: Choose up to 8 holidays to observe annually
• Vacation: Accrued based on years of experience and calculated on hours worked
• Sick time: Paid sick time for non-work-related illness or injury.
• Parental leave: Up to 80 hours of Paid Parental Leave for child bonding

Coverage and support for your needs and well-being:

• Disability: Paid short- and long-term disability
• Health: Medical plan options; plus dental and vision plans.
• Life: Basic employee group life insurance and AD&D benefits; additional voluntary life insurance for employees and families is available through Sun Life.
• Wellbeing: DarioMind assistance program combined with personalized mental health and wellbeing resources.

Workplace Information

E-Verify Participation

Woodard & Curran participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. As part of this process, we display the required Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters.

View required Right to Work and E-Verify posters here.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility

Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non-discrimination and make employment decisions based on job-related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

View our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

View the "Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster

Inclusion & Belonging

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and believe diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to serve clients and communities.

As an employee-owned company, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment where employees can grow, contribute fully, and deliver meaningful impact.

Recruitment Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Submissions without a signed agreement in place will be considered unsolicited and not eligible for referral fees.

Text Message Communication Notice:

To support an efficient hiring process, we may send brief SMS updates or reminders. You may opt out at any time by replying “STOP.”

Terms, Privacy & Use of AI in Hiring

Woodard & Curran Terms of Use

Woodard & Curran Privacy Statement

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the hiring process (e.g., application review or resume screening). These tools assist our team but do not replace human decision-making. All final hiring decisions are made by people.