PRETREATMENT COORDINATOR

City of Gastonia; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Pension

401(k)

Job summary

The City of Gastonia seeks a Pretreatment Coordinator to support its Pretreatment Program, regulating industrial discharges into the wastewater system. A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or related field is preferred, with strong communication skills and willingness to work with industrial customers on compliance.

The role emphasizes sampling, permit management, data analysis, reporting, and collaboration with the City laboratory and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology or related field necessary.
• Minimum of five years as a chemist in an industrial or municipal lab.
• Experience regulating industrial pretreatment dischargers preferred.
• Pretreatment Program Specialist certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Enforce Sewer Use and Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment Ordinance.
• Conduct sampling; maintain surveys, plans and permits; monitor program.
• Maintain relations with state/federal agencies; monitor high-strength wastewater.
• Investigate noncompliance and spills; collect samples and analyze waters.
• Train City staff and industrial contacts in procedures and regs.
• Coordinate activities with lab, operations, consultants and industry reps.
• Prepare and present technical reports; maintain safety.
• Keep work area safe and compliant.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Laboratory operations

Environmental regulations

GIS

Communication skills

Regulatory interpretation

Education

Bachelor's in chemistry/biology

5+ years in industrial/municipal lab

Tools

Laboratory instruments

GIS systems

Data analysis software

Job description

General Definition of Work

The City of Gastonia is seeking a Pretreatment Coordinator to perform complex technical work supporting the City’s Pretreatment Program and regulating industrial discharges into the wastewater collection and treatment system. We welcome candidates from a variety of professional backgrounds who possess a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a related scientific field and are interested in applying their knowledge to protect the community and environment. The position implements and communicates pretreatment requirements, evaluates the potential effects of pollutants on wastewater treatment operations, and works with industrial customers on regulatory compliance. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for explaining technical and regulatory requirements. Experience in industrial wastewater pretreatment, laboratory operations, or wastewater treatment is beneficial. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Pretreatment Supervisor.

Essential Functions/Duties

• Enforces the City of Gastonia Sewer Use and Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment Ordinance. (15%)
• Conducts sampling and maintains current Industrial Waste Surveys, Long Term Monitoring Plan, Headworks Analysis, and Industrial User Allocation Tables and Industrial User Permits; maintains an industrial monitoring program. (35%)
• Maintains positive working relationship with State and Federal Agencies; maintains surcharge monitoring program for high strength wastewater. (10%)
• Investigates causes of NPDES noncompliance and spills to the City system or receiving streams; investigates complaints, collects samples and performs analyses of surface waters. (15%)
• Trains City personnel and industrial contacts in correct sampling, preservation, and testing techniques; keeps abreast of current pretreatment regulations through participation in professional organizations. (5%)
• Coordinates activities with City laboratory, operations staff, other City staff, and outside consultants, laboratories, and industry representatives. (5%)
• Prepares and presents thorough and accurate technical reports for required activities and as assigned. (10%)
• Maintains a safe work area. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of analytical principles and techniques of chemistry and microbiology as applied in modern municipal and industrial wastewater treatment processes
• Thorough knowledge of the use and care of laboratory instrumentation and automatic flow measurement and sampling equipment
• Thorough knowledge of environmental laws and regulations pertaining to pretreatment
• Thorough knowledge of environmental laws and regulations pertaining to municipal and industrial wastewater, residuals, and hazardous materials
• Thorough knowledge of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment processes, as well as knowledge of a variety of manufacturing processes; thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in plant operation and industrial work sites
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions
• Ability to interpret laboratory analysis results; ability to perform complex mathematical calculations, keep neat accurate records, and write concise, clear business letters and technical reports
• Thorough knowledge of GIS and related computer systems; ability to interact professionally with coworkers, employees, industry representatives, State and Federal agencies, and the general public
• Ability to present a positive image as the City's representative; ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology or related field and minimal of five years of experience as a chemist in an industrial or municipal laboratory
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in regulating industrial pretreatment dischargers and Pretreatment Program Specialist certification preferred.

Special Requirements

• Possession of Pretreatment Program Specialist Grade II certification within 3 years of hire. NIMS 700 certification within 12 months of hire.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

2. The physical requirements of this position 3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision 4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:

• The physical activity of this position includes:
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
• Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: Preparing and analyzing data and figures; accounting; transcription; computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.
• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside. The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
• The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

Must possess a valid appropriate driver's license with acceptable driving history.

Drug Screening, Criminal Background, And References Checks Are Required.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H

• High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Supplemental Insurance Plans
• Pension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)
• 401(k)
• 457
• Short-term/Long-term Disability
• Dependent Care Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-Site Health Clinic
• Employee Educational Assistance Program
• Sick Leave (12 days per year)
• Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year
• Holidays (11 days per year)
• Personal Day (1 day per year)

A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at City of Gastonia Employee Benefits Handbook