Wastewater Operator

3M Company; Cottage Grove (MN); On-site; USD 51,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

3M Company is seeking a Wastewater Operator to oversee Cottage Grove, MN wastewater and water quality plants, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. You will operate, monitor, and troubleshoot treatment processes, perform preventive maintenance, and manage chemical dosing and safety practices.

The role requires a high school diploma, ability to obtain a Class D wastewater license within 12-15 months, and comfort with rotating shifts and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Ability to obtain Wastewater license (Class D) within 12-15 months of hire.
• Preferred certification: Minnesota Wastewater Operator Class D or higher.
• Ability to read and apply training manuals, safety regulations and procedures.
• Basic mathematics and ability to perform calculations for permits and dosages.
• Computer skills to use standard and customized software.

Responsibilities

• Operate process controls and equipment, including pumps, screens, blowers, tanks and filtration systems.
• Monitor plant functions and adjust parameters to maintain proper operation.
• Perform preventive maintenance and inspect equipment for issues.
• Handle hazardous waste according to guidelines and maintain records.
• Maintain logs, logbooks, and process summaries; respond to spills and upsets.
• Work rotating shifts and participate in safety meetings; ensure compliance with permits.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Wastewater license (Class D) within 12-15 months

Minnesota Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Class D or higher (preferred)

Computer skills

Basic mathematics

Ability to read training manuals and safety regulations

Experience collaborating in diverse environments

Job description

Job Description:

Wastewater Operator

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a diversity of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

Responsible for overall operation of the Cottage Grove Wastewater and Water Quality Plants, and the meeting of all requirements of State and Federal agencies. As a(n) Wastewater Operator you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

++Operations and Equipment++ :

• Ensure coordination between all shifts on operating conditions.
• Operate process controls (i.e., start/stop and control speed and flow rates) on equipment including, but not limited to, various types of pumps, bar screens, compressors, blowers, generators, tanks, sludge thickening belts, thermal oxidizer, rotating equipment, activated sludge, sewer systems and inspections, ponds, activated carbon systems, ion exchange resin systems, ultra‑filtration, reverse osmosis, distillation systems, regeneration systems, instrumentation, etc.
• Monitors and controls plant functions through computer information, automatic controllers, or manual controls to ensure proper process operations are maintained, (i.e., pressure, temperature, tank levels, current- and other various parameters).
• Operate, control, and monitor treatment process equipment (including, but not limited to, wastewater phases 1, 2, and 3, Water Quality buildings, and regeneration systems)
• Monitor wastewater, process water conditions, and add and adjusts chemicals accordingly.
• Responds to spills, stoppage, and cleanup of upsets by taking appropriate corrective actions.

++Support++:

• Perform some preventive maintenance on equipment to ensure efficient operation and accurate instrument readings. Cleans tanks, weirs, pumps, and other process control equipment utilizing hand tools and power tools.
• Inspects and monitors equipment. Troubleshoots operational and equipment issues.
• Maintain facility by cleaning, sweeping, and hosing down equipment, piping, and valves. This also includes office and laboratory janitorial.
• Perform all hazardous waste management duties according to 3M waste management guidelines. This may include handling, mixing, disposing, storing, shipping or preparing labels/container and documentation for handling hazardous waste.
• Change out filters and resin as needed in the water filtration systems: reverse osmosis, ultra‑filtration, cartridge filters, and other process filters.

++Safety:++

• Perform maintenance checks and service on safety equipment and stations, including fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, and other safety equipment as needed.
• Use appropriate safety equipment (respirator equipment, toxic/explosive monitoring equipment meters) necessary to complete work in hazardous atmospheres
• Apply proper safety precautions, rules and regulations, and practices of a wastewater plant. Must follow standard safety protocol and standards including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and respirators as needed.
• Identify safe work practices to properly use safety equipment.
• Adhere to all safety procedures including lock-out/tag-out, confined space entries, line openings, spark, and open flame permits, etc.
• Attend and participate in all department and safety meetings.
• Must be able to work under conditions such as confined spaces, loud work environments, heights, obnoxious smells, heat, cold, rain, and potentially hazardous areas. Uses common hand and power tools to operate and maintain plant equipment.

++Technical:++

• Perform troubleshooting functions. Make routine adjustments to motors pumps and other equipment.
• Use computers to track work orders, maintenance activities, tank readings, logbooks, and process summaries.
• Maintain all operational logs, calibration records, analytical operation, and preventive maintenance records (in readily accessible order for inspection by MPCA, EPA, and OSHA).
• Knowledge of permit requirements under which the 3M Wastewater plan is operated under.
• Communicate with Supervisors, Process Engineers, and Management in the identification of problem areas with operational parameters and activities.
• Collaborate with others and work in teams. Knowledge of plant and building contacts.
• Able to perform mathematical calculations to determine compliance with permits, parameter, chemical feed rates, chemical dosages, chemical analysis.
• Maintain proper operational records and data logs.
• Initiate SWO’s when necessary to keep operation of treatment plant in good running order and meeting State and Federal guidelines.
• Operation of computer control systems at Plant.

++Laboratory Test:++

• Knowledge and ability to conduct various process control tests, collect and test samples and analyze samples.
• Maintain records and documents on operations and equipment.

++Additional responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:++

• Attend meetings, workshops and training sessions, review documents and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Other duties assigned or apparent.
• Regular job attendance is required
• Overtime may be required, including more than 8 hours/day and more than 40 hours/week.
• Mandatory rotating shift work.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to obtain a Wastewater license requirement of Class “D” within 12-15 months of hire.

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Ability to read and understand training manuals, safety regulations, federal and state regulations, and other regulations sufficiently. Ability to comprehend, understand, and apply written and verbal directions and standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics; ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Must have computer skills to use standard and customized software.
• Preferred certification: State of Minnesota Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Class D or higher.
• Experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environments.

Work location:

• Cottage Grove, MN

The starting rate of pay for this position is $45.19. The range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences, and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Relocation Assistance: May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life — both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only:The starting rate of pay for this position is $44.84, with the potential to reach $47.24 . This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.