Process Control Specialist – Varied Shift - Water Resource Recovery Facility

City of East Lansing; East Lansing (MI); On-site; Full time

Job summary

The City of East Lansing is seeking a Process Control Specialist for its Water Resource Recovery Facility. This role involves overseeing technical operations and ensuring compliance with environmental standards, contributing to the management of a state-of-the-art facility while promoting equity and inclusion along with other city initiatives.

Benefits

Competitive salary with annual cost of living increases

Retirement programs including a hybrid pension

13 paid holidays

Union position (MAPE)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Qualifications

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations preferred.
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead, oversee, and perform technical tasks in wastewater operations.
• Conduct laboratory analysis and ensure compliance with quality standards.
• Monitor and maintain WRRF facilities and related pump stations.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Education

Associate’s degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology or related field

Tools

SCADA

Job description

The City of East Lansing occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

Career Opportunities

The City of East Lansing occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

East Lansing is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City of East Lansing is committed to becoming a fully inclusive place to live work, visit and do business. We believe an organization functions at its highest ability when a shared culture that promotes accepting, respecting, and valuing differences that include attributes such as age, income, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances and cultural backgrounds is fostered. We are seeking individuals who share our commitment to equity, inclusion and reflects the community we serve.

Process Control Specialist – Varied Shift - Water Resource Recovery Facility

Are you a wastewater professional looking to take the next step in your career? Does the idea of being involved in a state-of-the-art Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) appeal to you? Then join the City of East Lansing as our Process Control Specialist and be part of an innovative team that will shape the future of this wastewater treatment industry.

SUMMARY:
Working as part of the WRRF team, this skilled position is responsible for leading, overseeing and performing technical tasks in the operation of the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), the Retention Treatment Basin (RTB) and pump stations, hereafter referred to as WRRF Facilities. This work includes a variety of laboratory analysis, to record and process data results as appropriate, ensure compliance with federal and state lows regarding standards of quality, purity and safety; and to provide responsible support for Plant Management. All facilities operated and maintained by WRRF staff operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

ABOUT US:
The City of East Lansing is committed to becoming a fully inclusive anti-racist place to live, work, visit and do business. We believe an organization functions at its highest ability when a shared culture that promotes accepting, respecting, and valuing differences that include attributes such as age, income, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances and cultural backgrounds is fostered. We are seeking individuals who share our commitment to equity and inclusion and reflect the community we serve.

East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, is a dynamic community of nearly 50,000 people with historic neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown, and you will be part of the team that helps make East Lansing a great place to live, study and work. The Department of Public Works & Environmental Services (DPW) WRRF team manages a facility that process 14 MGD of sewage, a 2.6 MG Retention Treatment Basin (RTB) that stores combined sewage during heavy rain events and three pump stations.

*WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?

• Competitive salary with annual cost of living increases
• Retirement programs including a hybrid pension (10% of salary) and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• $1,000 annual employer contribution to post-employment Health Care Savings Plan
• 13 paid holidays
• Union position (MAPE)
• Personal Leave
• No-Premium health coverage (or receive a $150 monthly buy-out if you have coverage from another source), with family dental and vision plan premiums fully covered by the City
• Life insurance $50,000 with optional supplemental coverage, and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to use pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket health and daycare expenses
• An Employee Assistance Program, offering free confidential counseling and support for employees and families
• Qualify for “Public Service Loan Forgiveness” which forgives eligible student loans for borrowers who work at least ten years in public service!
• An ever-changing work environment! In the dynamic work of Public Works, each day presents new and exciting challenges that keep your work fresh, engaging and stimulating

*Benefits are subject to change.

LOCATION:
The WRRF facility is located at 1700 Trowbridge Road in East Lansing. The facility is located southwest of downtown off the west end of Trowbridge Road which is the main access point from US-127 to Michigan State University.

ON-GOING AND UP-COMING PROJECTS:
The WRRF facility has just completed over $110 million dollars of improvements including UV disinfection, headworks reconstruction, solids handling upgrades with anaerobic digester producing methane which operates a combined heat and power unit, clarifier rehabilitation and additions, and aeration tank rehabilitation. Administration building improvements including office, control room, and laboratory upgrades slated to begin in 2025.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation: Michigan Association of Public Employees (MAPE)

Qualifications

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. Associate’s degree from accredited college or university with major course work in environmental science, chemistry, biology or related field is preferred. One to three years of responsible experience in wastewater treatment plant operations or education equivalent preferred.

Knowledge of basic computer skills. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) program preferred.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license or valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain a Michigan driver’s license within 6 months of hire. Possession of a Michigan Class “D” Wastewater Plant Operators license required within two years of eligibility. Higher licensing preferred.

Download General Employment Application (PDF)

The materials are in PDF form and may be filled out electronically and saved and e-mailed as an attachment to Human Resources. Or, the application may be printed out, completed and mailed to:

City of East Lansing:
Att: Human Resources
410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823:
Email: [e-mail]

In addition to the General Employment Application, please submit the following: copies of degrees, copies of applicable certifications and one professional reference.

Posted: May 22, 2025

Category Full-Time Employment Status Open Salary $24.2296/hour to $33.8846/hour

Work Schedule: 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., (15:00 hrs. – 23:00 hrs.)
5 days per week, rotating from Sunday-Thursday and Tuesday-Saturday
Emergency OT as required
.May be assigned to other shifts with advanced notice Posted May 22, 2025 8:30 AM Closing Open Until Filled Attached Files General Employment Application (PDF)