Pretreatment Specialist

City of Sumner; Sumner (WA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sumner is seeking a Pretreatment Specialist to join our wastewater operations team. This full-time role monitors discharges, inspects facilities, collects samples, and ensures compliance with state, federal, and local regulations.

You will perform field inspections, provide technical guidance to businesses, maintain regulatory records, and collaborate with City staff and regulators. The position is safety sensitive, non-exempt, and eligible for representation by the IUOE.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or related field preferred.
• Three years of Source Control Representative or pretreatment experience preferred.
• One year of wastewater treatment facility laboratory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Inspect commercial and industrial facilities for compliance with wastewater discharge regulations.
• Provide technical guidance to commercial and industrial users regarding wastewater requirements.
• Assist in development and tracking of pretreatment agreements and permits; maintain compliance records and reporting.
• Document inspections, sampling results, and enforcement actions; prepare trend reports.

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or related field

Job description

Hiring Range: $45.59 - $50.97, with growth to $53.89

The City of Sumner is recruiting a Pretreatment Specialist to join our wastewater operations team. We’re looking for someone who sees environmental compliance as both technical work and public service, someone who can move confidently between industrial inspections, wastewater sampling, laboratory analysis, regulatory requirements, and conversations with local businesses. To you, pretreatment is about more than collecting samples and checking boxes; it’s about protecting Sumner’s wastewater system, safeguarding the environment, and helping businesses be part of the solution.

We need a curious, detail-oriented professional who enjoys fieldwork and problem-solving. The ideal candidate is comfortable inspecting commercial and industrial facilities, explaining compliance requirements, helping customers with pollution prevention, maintaining accurate regulatory records, and collecting and analyzing wastewater samples. You’ll work closely with City staff, customers, consultants, and regulatory agencies while keeping safety and quality service at the forefront.

If you’re excited about work that gets you into the field, challenges you technically, and gives you a direct role in protecting public infrastructure and the environment, we’d love to meet you.

This position is a full-time, Fair Labor Standards Act overtime eligible, non-exempt position. This position is designated as a Safety Sensitive Position. Attendance at evening meetings or other off‑duty events is not anticipated. The incumbent in this position is not a Civil Service employee. This position is eligible for representation through the International Union of Operating Engineers.

General Purpose

Under general direction, monitors wastewater discharges from local business and industry through sampling and flow measurement, inspects industrial sites for compliance with state, federal, and local environmental regulations. Monitors flow conditions in sanitary, industrial and storm sewer systems.

Supervision Received

This position reports to a Chief Operator.

Supervision Exercised

This position does not supervise.

About Sumner

The City of Sumner’s vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. In working to achieve that vision, Sumner prioritizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences. The City actively seeks and encourages people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics to apply and all come together with a goal of continuing to learn and improve to better serve the residents, businesses and visitors of our community. Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 11,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. At the same time, its compact, walkable layout aligns perfectly with progressive planning trends, as its classic Main Street becomes repurposed for boutiques, independent restaurants and daily services such as legal offices, financial advisors and doctors. While Sumner retains historic neighborhoods of Craftsman houses and an active high school right on Main Street, it also offers over 16,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs for companies such as REI, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Amazon.com, and Dillanos Coffee Roasters. With a downtown Sound Transit station with buses and trains, it is well connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full‑service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails. Like the community, the city government is large enough to be professional but small enough to be creative. The City has won a variety of awards from the Governor's Smart Planning Award to recognition at the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its groundbreaking police work on victims' assistance. With a strong mayor format, the City has just over 140 employees who operate a cemetery, wastewater treatment facility, accredited police department, animal shelter, parks, senior center, full service public works and administration.

About the City of Sumner Public Works Department

The Sumner Public Works Department is responsible for maintenance, operations, and capital improvement projects for the City of Sumner facilities, rights‑of‑way, and water, sewer and stormwater utilities. Through the hard work and efforts of over 40 FTE’s, the Department simultaneously manages tens of millions of dollars of capital projects; 120 lane‑miles of roadways and adjoining sidewalks, hundreds of miles of wet utilities, well and spring water sources, over 50 stormwater outfalls; and operates the City’s 6.1 MGD (Maximum Month Design Flow) Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Check out all of the exciting projects that Public Works and other departments are working on by visiting: https://connects.sumnerwa.gov/

The Sumner WWTF is a regional facility serving both the City of Sumner and the City of Bonney Lakes sewer systems

The facility recently completed a major upgrade in 2015 increasing its rated flow capacity to 6.10 MGD and increasing its facility loading capacity for 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand to 10,900 lb. /day and Total Suspended Solids to 12,660 lb. /day. The influent headworks includes flow measuring and sampling on both city wastewater influent loadings. Flow then travels to primary clarifiers followed by aeration basins. The aeration basins have selector zones and are operated using a modified MLE process. The aeration basins are followed by secondary clarifiers and finally UV disinfection of the effluent. Wasted sludge is thickened using a Dissolved Air Flotation thickener (DAFT).The generated biosolids are processed thru anaerobic digestion with final treatment through an indirect dryer producing Exceptional Quality Class "A" Biosolids. Biosolids are given away to the public from on‑site locations within the plant or delivered in bulk to sites throughout the region. The WWTF is located between the Puyallup and White Rivers and due to the flood potential is surrounded by a floodwall to protect the facility.

In addition to the WWTF, the staff also service sixteen sewage lift stations throughout the City of Sumner. Fourteen of the lift stations are submersible pump stations and two are drywell wetwell stations. The City of Bonney Lake services its own lift stations. Most sewage lift stations have flow measuring devices and generators and have been upgraded or replaced within the past 10 years. The sewer system is supported by a SCADA operating system as is the WWTF.

The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by a supervisor. While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

In addition to the responsibilities listed in the Pretreatment Technician job description, duties may include:

Inspection & Compliance

• Conduct inspections of commercial and industrial facilities for compliance with wastewater discharge regulations.
• Identify non‑compliance issues and document findings in accordance with regulatory requirements
• Communicate compliance requirements and corrective actions to customers and stakeholders.
• Verify inspection of grease traps, interceptors, and oil‑water separators by customer/contractors.
• Investigate the source of toxic or non‑compatible discharges.

Technical Assistance & Customer Support

• Provide technical guidance to commercial and industrial users regarding wastewater discharge requirements.
• Perform specialized field analysis on a routine basis throughout the wastewater, and collection systems.
• Assist customers with pollution prevention and best management practices (BMPs).
• Respond to inquiries related to wastewater regulations and compliance.

Pretreatment Program Administration

• Assist in the development, implementation, and tracking of pretreatment agreements and permits.
• Maintain compliance schedules, records, and documentation for all pretreatment customers.
• Track and report monitoring data and compliance status.
• Support regulatory reporting requirements.
• Participate in grouping customers or other strength‑based users to identify waste loads classifications

Data Management & Reporting

• Accurately document inspections, sampling results, and enforcement actions.
• Maintain organized records in accordance with regulatory and City requirements.
• Prepare reports summarizing findings, trends, and compliance status.

Sampling and Lab duties

• Perform wastewater sampling and flow monitoring activities.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain field equipment including:
• Automatic samplers
• Flow meters
• pH meters
• Dissolved oxygen meters
• Other analytical instruments
• Collect, preserve, and document samples in accordance with standard method procedures.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative laboratory analysis of wastewater, sediments for chemical and microbiological contaminants according to state and federal standards.
• Perform quality control (QA/QC) procedures including calibration of instruments, analyzing standards, keeping logs and performing statistical analysis of data.
• Record, calculate and compile data utilizing computerized software including spreadsheet, word processing applications, and HACH (WIMS) laboratory management software
• Assist in the operation and development of lab standards used in the WWTF laboratory

General

• Coordinate with internal staff, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Maintain productive working relationships with all staff, customers and consultants.
• Follow all safety procedures and maintain awareness of field hazards.
• Participates in special projects as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the listed necessary knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or related field.
• Three (3) years as a Source Control Representative, pre-treatment experienceor equivalent experience.
• One (1) year experience in a wastewater treatment facility laboratory or similar laboratory

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must hold a possess and maintain Washington State driver's license with driving record free from serious or frequent violations at time of appointment;
• Must obtain a 24-hour HAZWOPER certificate prior to completion of probation and maintain it thereafter.
• Must possess or obtain a Basic First Aid/CPR Certificate
• Must complete training for fall arrest, confined space entry, and competent person certification
• Must acquire WWTP Operator Certification Level 1 as a requirement of the probationary period
• Must attain successful completion of training requirements prescribed by the Department.

Desired Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes and regulations related to assigned activities.
• Modern office practices, methods, procedures and equipment.
• Record-keeping principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Applicable health and safety policy, procedures and practices.
• Basic wastewater treatment and collection practices and procedures.
• Basic understanding of wastewater lab practices including testing for BOD, TSS, nutrients and metals

Ability to

• Use meters and samplers appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Read collection system prints;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Follow health and safety regulations;
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices;
• Communicate effective both orally and in writing; comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communications in a clear, concise and understandable manner to intended audiences;
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; work independently with little or no direction, set priorities and meet deadlines;
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines;
• Establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Operate a variety of modern office equipment and personal computers in a windows-based computing environment, using standard or customized software application programs appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Provide continuous effort to improve operations and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Maintain reliable, dependable attendance.
• Contribute to the City's Mission, Vision and Values.

Physical Requirements

Requirements outlined in this position description may be subject to modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment in this position. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

Description of Work Environment:

While performing duties of this job, the employee works both in an office environment (25%), and in the field in outside weather conditions (75%). The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places, and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibrations.

Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, mobility, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Heavy Work: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required.

Background checks will include

• Social Security Verification: validates the applicant's Social Security number, date of birth and former addresses.
• Prior Employment Verification: confirms applicant's employment with the listed companies, including dates of employment, position held and additional information available pertaining to performance rating, reason for departure and eligibility for rehire. This verification will be run on the past three employers or the previous five years, whichever comes first.
• Personal and Professional References: calls will be placed to individuals listed as references by the applicant.
• Educational Verification: confirms the applicant's claimed educational institution, including the years attended and the degree/diploma received.
• Criminal History: includes review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history:

• The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position.
• The time since the conviction.
• The number (if more than one) of convictions.
• Whether hiring, transferring or promoting the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors.

The following additional background searches will be required if applicable to the position:

Motor Vehicle Records: provides a report on an individual's driving history in the state requested. This search will be run when driving is an essential requirement of the position.

Credit History: confirms candidate's credit history. This search will be run for positions that involve management of City of Sumner funds and/or handling of cash or credit cards.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Communication from the City of Sumner

We primarily communicate via e‑mail during the application process. E‑mails from sumnerwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e‑mail folders.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, terminates and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants on the basis of job‑related qualifications and competence. These policies shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, sensory, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation including gender expression and identity, genetic information, domestic violence victim or other basis prohibited by law.

Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 253-299-5595 or email [e-mail]. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

Drug Free Workplace

The City of Sumner is a drug free workplace. The City is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, free from employees whose job performance may be impaired by the use of prescription, nonprescription, over‑the‑counter drugs, illegal controlled substances, marijuana and alcohol.