Plant Maintenance Operator - Tampa, FL

Watco; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Watco is hiring a Plant Maintenance Operator to safely operate and maintain the Storm Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and related equipment. You will monitor processes, perform preventive and corrective maintenance, and coordinate chemical deliveries while ensuring environmental compliance and records accuracy.

You will collaborate with Terminal Management, EHS, maintenance teams, contractors, and external labs to maintain safe, efficient plant operations in line with permits and Watco policies.

Qualifications

• Ability to work outside majority of the time and withstand extreme weather conditions.
• Must maintain regular, dependable attendance and a high level of performance.
• Must be available for shift work when applicable, overtime when required and must be available to respond during working and non-working hours as required.
• Must be able to work with a team, take direction and follow work rules, as well as take on additional job responsibilities as needed.
• Knowledge of company safety programs.
• Previous experience in industrial maintenance, plant operations, water or wastewater treatment, environmental operations, or a related field preferred.
• Experience maintaining or repairing pumps, motors, piping, chemical-feed systems, instrumentation, or similar industrial equipment preferred.
• Previous experience with environmental sampling, laboratory testing, or regulatory compliance activities preferred.
• Applicable water/wastewater operator licenses, maintenance certifications, or related technical credentials preferred, if required by the location or regulatory agency.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor the Storm Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and associated equipment to maintain safe, efficient, and compliant operations.
• Perform routine preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, instrumentation, chemical-feed systems, clarifiers, filters, piping, and related plant equipment.
• Evaluate instrument readings, influent and effluent samples, and field test results to assess system performance and identify operating issues.
• Conduct routine plant inspections to identify abnormal conditions, equipment deficiencies, leaks, unusual sounds, or other concerns.
• Coordinate lockout/tagout (LOTO) requirements and ensure maintenance activities are performed safely.
• Safely start up and shut down plant systems, including seasonal startups and restarts following power outages or other interruptions.

Skills

Teamwork

Shift work

Safety programs

Industrial maintenance

Pumps & motors

Environmental sampling

Regulatory compliance

Operator licenses

Education

High School or GED

Job description

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team. One Watco.

Here’s What You Can Expect From Watco

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities

Schedule:

7:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Pay:

$25.00 - $30.00 per hour depending on experience

Job Summary

The Plant Maintenance Operator is responsible for the safe and effective operation, maintenance, and environmental management of the on-site Storm Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and associated plant equipment. This position monitors treatment processes, performs preventive and corrective maintenance, conducts routine testing and inspections, coordinates repairs and chemical deliveries, maintains required records, and supports environmental compliance activities.

The position works closely with Terminal Management, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), maintenance personnel, contractors, and outside laboratories to ensure plant systems and equipment operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable permits, environmental regulations, and Watco policies and procedures.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor the Storm Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and associated equipment to maintain safe, efficient, and compliant operations.
• Perform routine preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, instrumentation, chemical-feed systems, clarifiers, filters, piping, and related plant equipment.
• Evaluate instrument readings, influent and effluent samples, and field test results to assess system performance and identify operating issues.
• Conduct routine plant inspections to identify abnormal conditions, equipment deficiencies, leaks, unusual sounds, or other concerns.
• Calculate treatment rates and adjust process-control settings as needed.
• Safely start up and shut down plant systems, including seasonal startups and restarts following power outages or other interruptions.
• Recognize and respond to plant upsets, equipment failures, weather conditions, and environmental conditions that may affect plant performance or permit compliance.
• Coordinate and supervise the safe unloading and handling of treatment chemicals.
• Monitor chemical usage, maintain inventory levels, forecast needs, and coordinate chemical orders and deliveries.
• Make or recommend operating decisions when maintenance is required, including reducing flow, adjusting operations, or shutting down equipment.
• Clean and calibrate pH instrumentation, lubricate pumps and motors, and complete routine equipment inspections and maintenance.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues, review equipment manuals, and determine repair or replacement needs.
• Perform repairs within the employee's training and skill level and coordinate additional maintenance support when needed.
• Identify required replacement parts, obtain quotes, submit requests for approval, and order and receive approved parts, equipment and supplies.
• Coordinate lockout/tagout (LOTO) requirements and ensure maintenance activities are performed safely.
• Safely handle and oversee treatment chemicals, chemical-feed equipment, hazardous materials, and related systems.
• Coordinate required environmental sampling with outside laboratory vendors.
• Review laboratory results with Terminal Management and EHS and assist in determining discharge compliance.
• Perform required inspections of tanks, piping, conveyance systems, and related water-management infrastructure.
• Maintain field laboratory equipment, calibration records, sampling supplies, operating logs, maintenance records, inspection records, and other required documentation.
• Report environmental concerns, permit-compliance issues, equipment failures, or abnormal operating conditions to Terminal Management and EHS.
• Assist with environmental agency inspections and provide requested information as directed.
• Review water inventories and weather forecasts to support weekly and monthly treatment planning and operational forecasting.
• Monitor spare-parts inventory and coordinate replenishment as needed.
• Assist with annual outage planning, major maintenance activities, operating forecasts, and annual maintenance and operating budgets.
• Coordinate technical-service providers, contractors, and vendors supporting plant operations and maintenance.
• Participate in safety meetings, required training, and severe-weather or tropical-storm preparation as applicable.
• Maintain security of the treatment plant, office, tools, equipment, and fenced areas.
• Follow all Watco safety rules, environmental requirements, operating procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to work outside majority of the time and withstand extreme weather conditions.
• Must maintain regular, dependable attendance and a high level of performance.
• Must be available for shift work when applicable, overtime when required and must be available to respond during working and non-working hours as required.
• Must be able to work with a team, take direction and follow work rules, as well as take on additional job responsibilities as needed.
• Knowledge of company safety programs.
• Previous experience in industrial maintenance, plant operations, water or wastewater treatment, environmental operations, or a related field preferred.
• Experience maintaining or repairing pumps, motors, piping, chemical-feed systems, instrumentation, or similar industrial equipment preferred.
• Previous experience with environmental sampling, laboratory testing, or regulatory compliance activities preferred.
• Applicable water/wastewater operator licenses, maintenance certifications, or related technical credentials preferred, if required by the location or regulatory agency.

Education

High School or GED equivalent

Must be 18years of age or older