Regional Training & Operations Technician

Veolia | Water Tech; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

401(k) Plan – 3% default contribution

Job summary

Veolia operates multiple client water and wastewater facilities, covering vacations and absences while training local operations teams and supporting new account startups. This role travels regionally to maintain and improve plant performance, troubleshoot processes, and ensure compliance.

The position requires hands-on operation, data collection, and proactive problem solving, with a focus on safety, recordkeeping, and continuous improvement across facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
• Strong mechanical aptitude for operating plant equipment.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Willingness to learn and follow instructions on wastewater processes.
• Operational experience with site-specific equipment preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations or related field; traveling work preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain complete operational coverage of Veolia operated facilities in the region, covering vacations and unplanned absences on day and night shifts.
• Assist in operational development and training of local technicians through hands-on mentoring and training material development.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, recordkeeping, lab testing, and preventive maintenance.
• Support new account start-up projects by developing tasks, procedures, and goals with senior teams.
• Provide troubleshooting support and proactive decisions to address process issues.
• Operate pumps, valves, and motors to regulate wastewater flow and collect samples for testing.
• Maintain accurate client data records and ensure safety programs are followed.
• Collaborate with management to optimize operations and coordinate maintenance.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Strong communication skills

Willingness to learn

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Position Summary

This position is responsible for operating multiple Veolia contracted client water and wastewater facilities. The primary purpose of this position is to cover vacations & absences at existing facilities, assist in the training and development of local operations teams, and to serve in a support role at new account start‑ups. This position will be responsible for assisting with the overall operation and maintenance of accounts in its area, including process changes to meet compliance, troubleshooting processes & equipment, maintenance (routine, reactive, and preventive), process & compliance sampling, laboratory testing, and writing and distributing a daily shift report. In between time at designated accounts, this position will develop training resources for general water and wastewater industry knowledge, as well as site‑specific treatment training for all technicians in the region. The role requires significant travel, sometimes for extended periods – ranging from 1–2 weeks away from home at a time up to a month for extenuating circumstances.

Essential Operational Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain complete operational coverage of the Veolia operated facilities in the designated region, covering vacations and unplanned absences on both day and night shifts.
• Assist in the operational development of all local technicians, providing in‑person hands‑on training, developing electronic training materials, and directing training efforts.
• Ensure industry standards and best practices are used at all Veolia operated facilities, including recordkeeping, lab testing, operational practices, and preventive maintenance.
• Support new account start‑up projects by working with the Senior Wastewater Operational Technician team to develop operational tasks, procedures, and goals.
• Provide knowledgeable support to local technicians for troubleshooting process issues, ensuring proactive decisions are made regularly.
• Operate and control electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow into the wastewater treatment plant.
• Collect and test wastewater samples to determine concentration levels and impurities at the scheduled testing frequency.
• Maintain accurate record‑keeping of client data such as residual chemical content, water turbidity, and water pressure.
• Comply with all Veolia and multi‑party safety parameters/programs.
• Analyze lab data to identify potential treatment issues and implement process changes to prevent non‑compliance.
• Compile data for the Environmental Protection Agency or state regulatory bodies.
• Coordinate with other operators and multiple’s management to maintain plant equipment.
• Consult with multiples and Veolia management on wastewater plant operations to determine optimal treatment.

Essential Maintenance Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with multiples to schedule third‑party maintenance support for projects outside Veolia’s scope of work.
• Complete all preventive maintenance defined by Veolia and multiple management at the designated frequency, documenting each task (e.g., changing filters, oil, greasing bearings, operating temperatures, exercising valves).
• Complete or assist with minor maintenance projects to keep the facility operating effectively (e.g., chemical pump repair, small PVC piping installation, valve replacement).
• Complete or assist with intermediate maintenance projects (e.g., replacing mechanical pump seals, packing seals, impellers, full PVC line replacements, centrifugal pump replacements, displacement pump replacements).

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Work with fellow operators on off‑shifts when problems arise or assistance is needed.
• Maintain 24/7 availability to wastewater operators and multiple management.
• Communicate regularly with the Veolia Account Manager regarding plant operation, compliance, maintenance, and personnel issues.
• Provide supervision and leadership, exemplifying hard work, attention to detail, fair treatment, and responsibility for results.
• Define daily operation and maintenance duties to ensure compliance (process changes, chemical feed rates, maintenance activities, additional sampling).
• Provide training and facilitate operator training for all facets of plant operation and management.
• Issue clear verbal and written instructions for proper operation and maintenance; create and maintain facility‑specific SOPs.
• Continuously optimize operations, chemistry, and equipment to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Innovation, Planning, and Budget

• Develop creative and/or innovative ideas related to process improvements.
• Schedule workload independently.
• Manage inventories of lab supplies, consumables, and equipment parts; no budget administration responsibilities.
• Develop innovative ideas to improve WWTP operation and management.
• Maintain maintenance program inventories, consumables, and equipment parts.

Decision Making

• Receive assignments with expected results, due dates, and procedures.
• Make process changes based on lab data and general knowledge to correct compliance issues or improve treatment.
• Handle common problems independently; refer unusual cases to supervisor.
• Discuss significant issues with the account manager to ensure reasonable actions in compliance with the contract.
• Evaluate operator skills to assign/delegate tasks such as lab analyses, preventive maintenance, chemical inventory management, and waste disposal.
• Determine required external support for maintenance projects and coordinate with client teams or contractors.
• Participate in team meetings and collaborate regularly.
• Cover each other’s absences to maintain unbroken contracted coverage.
• Maintain continuous communication with clients and Veolia management.
• Communicate with Veolia management on training progress and overall site operation status.

Qualifications

General Education and Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google equivalent required.
• Strong mechanical aptitude preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, required.
• Willingness to learn and take instructions on wastewater treatment processes.
• Operational experience with site‑specific equipment preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations or related field required; ability and desire to build and maintain a team mentality.
• Prior experience in a traveling work role preferred.

Working Conditions

The work environment includes a wastewater treatment plant and outdoor settings. Exposure to extreme weather, burns, chemicals, dangerous systems, dirt, dust, electrical hazards, grease, oil, loud noises, vibrations, steam, and high moisture levels. The position requires lifting and carrying up to 75 pounds, climbing a vertical ladder up to 30 feet, standing for long periods, walking on uneven surfaces, bending, climbing onto and exiting a forklift safely, daily extension ladder use, and maneuvering in tight spaces. Day and night shifts and 12‑hour shifts may be required, along with emergency call‑in or phone support availability.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance starting Day 1
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Plan – 3% default contribution plus matching
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

EEO Statement

All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Veolia is an equal opportunity workplace and commits to diversity and inclusion.

Legal and Application Disclaimers

Applicants must be eligible to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately; employer will not sponsor work authorization. Veolia does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting firms.