Senior Environmental Specialist Wastewater

Conagra Brands; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 82,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Stock purchase plan

Career development

Job summary

Conagra Brands is seeking a Senior Environmental Specialist to optimize wastewater treatment across its manufacturing network. You will lead lagoon, dissolved air flotation, neutralization and equalization processes, analyze data, and guide operator training to ensure best-in-class operations.

The role requires a BS in environmental/engineering, 5+ years in industrial wastewater, SCADA and lab experience, and strong communication skills. Travel ~50% to various sites nationwide is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental/chemical/civil engineering or related field.
• 5+ years experience in operation and optimization of industrial or municipal wastewater systems.
• Experience with lagoon treatment, dissolved air flotation, neutralization and equalization processes.
• Experience interpreting operational data, identifying trends, and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience with SCADA systems, laboratory testing, and process control strategies.
• Strong communication skills to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Wastewater solids management and agricultural land application preferred.
• Wastewater operator certification or Engineer in Training or Professional Engineer designation preferred.
• Willing to travel 50%.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME on wastewater treatment process design, control, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and EHS teams to evaluate system modifications and upgrades.
• Lead monitoring and optimization of lagoon treatment, DAF, equalization, and neutralization systems.
• Evaluate biological and chemical treatment performance through sampling, lab analysis, and data trending.
• Develop operational playbooks and standardized procedures across the network.
• Travel to multiple sites to identify and implement process improvements that optimize treatment efficiency, energy use, and chemical consumption.
• Support daily operation of pumps, aerators, clarifiers, and other treatment infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with all wastewater permits and environmental regulations.
• Establish standards for logs, sampling records, and performance reporting.
• Support permit applications, renewals, and regulatory inspections.
• Develop and deliver training for operators and plant personnel on system operation, safety, and best practices.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Leadership experience

Education

Bachelor's degree (ENV/CHEM/CIVIL/Environmental Science)

Tools

SCADA systems

Laboratory analysis tools

Wastewater treatment equipment

Job description

Reporting to the Senior Director of Environmental, you will serve as the Sr. Environmental Specialist responsible for optimizing the daily performance of wastewater treatment systems across Conagra's manufacturing network. You will lead initiatives to improve reliability and efficiency of lagoon treatment, dissolved air flotation, neutralization, and equalization systems while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. You will provide technical guidance, analyze system data, and support operator training to maintain best-in-class wastewater operations.

This position can be based in: Fayetteville AR, Russellville AR, Fort Madison IA Imlay City, MI, Archbold OH, Council Bluffs IA, Marshall MO, Troy OH or Darien WI

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert on wastewater treatment process design, control, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and environmental health and safety teams to evaluate system modifications and upgrades.
• Lead process monitoring and optimization of lagoon treatment, dissolved air flotation, equalization, and neutralization systems.
• Evaluate biological and chemical treatment performance through sampling, laboratory analysis, and data trending.
• Develop operational playbooks and standardized procedures across the manufacturing network.
• Travel to multiple sites to identify and implement process improvements that optimize treatment efficiency, energy use, and chemical consumption.
• Support daily operation of pumps, aerators, clarifiers, and other treatment infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local wastewater discharge permits and environmental regulations.
• Establish standards for operational logs, sampling records, and performance reporting.
• Support preparation of permit applications, renewals, and regulatory inspections.
• Develop and deliver training for operators and plant personnel on treatment system operation, safety, and best practices.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, environmental science, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in operation and optimization of industrial or municipal wastewater treatment systems.
• Experience with lagoon treatment systems, dissolved air flotation units, neutralization, and equalization processes.
• Experience interpreting operational data, identifying trends, and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience with supervisory control and data acquisition systems, laboratory testing, and process control strategies.
• Strong communication skills to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Experience with wastewater solids management and agricultural land application preferred.
• Wastewater operator certification or Engineer in Training or Professional Engineer designation preferred.
• Willing to travel 50%

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:
You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination.
You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.
This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

#LI-Onsite
#LI-PM2
#LI-MSL

Compensation

Pay Range:$82,000-$120,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi-Wip.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.