Pretreatment Coordinator

NC Pretreatment Consortium, Inc.; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Gastonia is seeking a Pretreatment Coordinator to support the Pretreatment Program and regulate industrial discharges into the wastewater system. A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field is required, with at least five years of chemistry lab experience.

The role involves implementing pretreatment requirements, coordinating with state and federal agencies, and preparing technical reports. Certifications and strong communication are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or related field.
• At least five years of experience as a chemist in industrial or municipal labs.
• Experience regulating industrial pretreatment dischargers and Pretreatment Program Specialist certification preferred.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Laboratory operations

Environmental regulations

Regulatory compliance

GIS & computing

Communication skills

Interpersonal relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

GIS

Job description

Location Municipal Operations Center (1300 N Broad St), Gastonia, NC

Job Type Full Time

Department Public Utilities

Division Water & Sewer/Wastewater Treatment

Opening Date 08/06/2026

Closing Date 8/31/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

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 onregulatory 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 maintainscurrentIndustrial 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; maintainssurcharge 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/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

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
1. 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.

2. The physical requirements of this position

• 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.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision

• 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.

4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:

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.

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.