Plant Operator I

Liquid-Env-Solutions-of-Texa; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Liquid Environmental Solutions in Texas is seeking a Plant Operator to oversee an industrial wastewater pretreatment facility. The role requires hands-on operation of treatment processes, monitoring flow, pH, chemical dosing, and maintaining accurate records.

You'll work 10–12 hour shifts with early starts around 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM, and occasional OT. The position emphasizes safety, equipment inspections, preventative maintenance, and teamwork to ensure compliant discharge.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of wastewater treatment or related industrial experience preferred.
• Experience operating pumps, tanks, and mixing equipment preferred.
• Ability to work around wastewater and strong odors.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor industrial wastewater pretreatment processes and equipment.
• Monitor wastewater flow, tank levels, capacity, and treatment progress.
• Prepare, mix, and add treatment chemicals per procedures.
• Adjust treatment conditions, including pH and chemical dosage, within limits.
• Record plant operating data and communicate issues to management.
• Inspect pumps, piping, and other equipment for proper operation.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Reading gauges and meters

Safety-consciousness

Basic math

Independent work

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

1 year wastewater treatment/industrial operations experience preferred

Tools

Forklift operation

Skid steer operation

Pumps and valves maintenance

Chemical handling

Job description

Looking for an active, exciting career in liquid plant operations processing? Do you want to be a part of an organization that impacts the environment in a positive way? If so, Liquid Environmental Services is looking for a Plant Operator like you! As a Wastewater Plant Operator, your primary responsibility will be to treat wastewater, determine water quality, and release treated water to city publicly owned treatment works.

FULL TIME position with some OT expected

Schedule: Start times typically range between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Employees can expect to work 10-12 hour shifts, depending on workload and operational needs.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a Plant Operator, you will be responsible for the safe and effective operation of an industrial wastewater pretreatment facility. The Plant Operator monitors and operates treatment processes and equipment to ensure wastewater is properly treated prior to discharge to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW).

This position requires a hands‑on understanding of plant operations, including wastewater flow, tank levels, chemical treatment, pH control, solids and grease separation, pumps, treatment equipment, sampling, and basic preventative maintenance. Operators are expected to monitor plant conditions, recognize abnormal process or equipment conditions, maintain accurate operational records, and communicate issues requiring corrective action.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate and monitor industrial wastewater pretreatment processes and associated equipment.
• Monitor wastewater flow, tank levels, available storage capacity, and treatment progress to maintain efficient plant operation and adequate capacity for incoming material.
• Prepare, mix, and add treatment chemicals according to established procedures and process requirements.
• Monitor and adjust treatment conditions, including pH and chemical dosage, within established operating parameters.
• Operate pumps, mixers, tanks, screening/separation equipment, DAF systems, and other wastewater treatment equipment as applicable to the facility.
• Monitor equipment and process conditions for abnormal operation, including leaks, blockages, unusual pressures, changes in flow, excessive solids or grease, and other process concerns.
• Collect wastewater samples and perform or assist with basic process testing and monitoring, including pH and other required operational or compliance parameters.
• Understand the basic purpose and importance of wastewater characteristics such as pH, BOD, COD, TSS, and fats, oils, and grease (FOG).
• Record plant operating data, including tank levels, wastewater volumes, treatment information, chemical usage, equipment readings, and other required operational information.
• Maintain adequate treatment and storage capacity to support incoming wastewater and scheduled plant operations.
• Assist with wastewater receiving, transfer, treatment, and disposal activities as required.
• Inspect pumps, piping, valves, tanks, mixers, and other process equipment for proper operation.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance and minor mechanical repairs on plant equipment within the employee's training and capabilities.
• Identify equipment problems and promptly communicate maintenance or operational needs to plant management.
• Clean tanks, processing equipment, work areas, containment areas, and other plant areas as required.
• Operate forklifts, skid steers, and other facility equipment after receiving required training and authorization.
• Follow established procedures for spill prevention, containment, cleanup, and reporting.
• Follow facility wastewater discharge requirements, operating procedures, environmental requirements, and applicable safety regulations.
• Properly use required PPE and follow procedures for the safe handling and storage of treatment chemicals and wastewater materials.
• Maintain good housekeeping standards throughout the facility.
• Communicate plant conditions, equipment issues, treatment concerns, and unusual wastewater characteristics to management.
• Assist with other plant operations and cross-train in additional responsibilities as needed.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to learn the operation of pumps, valves, piping, tanks, mixers, and wastewater treatment equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow wastewater treatment procedures, operating parameters, and written work instructions.
• Ability to learn basic wastewater treatment concepts, including pH adjustment, chemical treatment, solids separation, and fats, oils, and grease removal.
• Ability to read gauges, meters, tank level indicators, and other plant instrumentation.
• Ability to recognize abnormal equipment or process conditions and communicate concerns promptly.
• Ability to accurately record operating data and complete required plant documentation.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations associated with plant operations and chemical treatment.
• Ability to safely handle treatment chemicals and wastewater materials after appropriate training.
• Ability to follow environmental, safety, and facility compliance requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and good organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently while communicating effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Ability to troubleshoot basic mechanical and operational problems.
• Ability and willingness to be cross trained in other plant functions as needed.
• Reliable transportation and dependable attendance.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One (1) year of experience in wastewater treatment, industrial pretreatment, water treatment, manufacturing, chemical processing, industrial plant operations, or a similar mechanical/process environment preferred.
• Previous experience operating or maintaining pumps, tanks, valves, piping, mixers, or other industrial process equipment preferred.
• Wastewater treatment or pretreatment experience is preferred but not required for candidates with strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to learn treatment processes.
• Forklift, skid steer, or other industrial equipment experience preferred.
• Basic preventative maintenance or mechanical troubleshooting experience preferred.
• Must be willing and able to work around wastewater, grease, treatment chemicals, and materials that may produce strong odors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in an active industrial wastewater pretreatment facility.
• Regular exposure to wastewater, grease, treatment chemicals, wet surfaces, industrial equipment, and strong odors.
• Work may be performed indoors and outdoors in hot, cold, humid, and wet conditions.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Must be able to regularly bend, climb, reach, and work around tanks and process equipment.
• Must be able to safely lift and handle materials and equipment associated with normal plant operations.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must be able to safely work around pumps, motors, piping, tanks, forklifts, skid steers, and other industrial equipment.

SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Plant Operators play an important role in protecting employees, the facility, the public wastewater system, and the environment. Operators are expected to follow established operating procedures, recognize and report abnormal conditions, and perform all work in a safe and environmentally compliant manner.

Who we are

Liquid Environmental Solutions is the nation’s leading provider of liquid, non-hazardous waste solutions. We offer services such as waste collection, transportation, processing, recycling, reclamation, and disposal. For more than a decade, Liquid Environmental Solutions has been the trusted resource for responsibly managing non-hazardous liquid waste. We back our services with a guarantee that is truly unprecedented.

We have been able to attract thousands of customers to join us in our responsibility of protecting the environment. Collectively, we are able to reduce greenhouse emissions, increase landfill diversion, and protect earth’s most precious resource – water. As we continue to grow, we innovate our services to make disposing or recycling liquid non-hazardous waste worry free. At every location, you will find team members committed to customer service, compliance and safety, the environment, and continuous improvement. We work diligently to provide best practices today for a better tomorrow. Are you ready to join our team?

Liquid Environmental Solutions is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.