Wastewater Operator

Cambrian; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A water treatment company is seeking a Field Service Representative to operate and maintain its Wastewater Treatment Facility in Denver, CO. This role involves ensuring compliance with water quality standards, providing hands-on system operation, and resolving operational issues promptly. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in water/wastewater facilities and a thorough understanding of regulatory compliance, along with skills in troubleshooting and equipment maintenance. Occasional travel to support other U.S. sites is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years operating industrial or municipal water/wastewater facilities.
• Possess a wastewater license in Colorado or ability to obtain one.
• Knowledge of PLC/SCADA programming and industrial process automation.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the full treatment system for optimal performance.
• Use control systems to monitor and operate the system.
• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical and control system issues.

Skills

Wastewater treatment processes

Mechanical and electrical basics

Strong organization and communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Ignition control systems

Allen-Bradley

Job description

Location: The Denver, CO area is the required location for this role. Qualified candidates outside the listed area may be considered.

Basic Function

The Field Service Representative is responsible for operating and maintaining Cambrian’s Wastewater Treatment Facility in Denver, CO, ensuring compliance with water quality standards, supporting project execution, and contributing to system commissioning. The role involves hands‑on system operation, assisting with plant start‑up and commissioning activities, resolving operational issues within 24 hours, and helping to manage small‑scale upgrades and retrofits in coordination with engineers and contractors. The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience with wastewater treatment processes such as Anaerobic Treatment, MBRs, and Reverse Osmosis (RO), and a solid understanding of EPA, OSHA, and Colorado state regulations. The role requires frequent communication with customers and Cambrian’s Field Operations leadership, and occasional travel to support other U.S. sites.

Key Responsibilities

These are the key items that employees are accountable for. They represent the outcomes and goals that the employee is expected to achieve.

• Operate and maintain the full treatment system and all ancillary equipment to ensure optimal performance and compliance with design specifications.
• Use Ignition and Allen‑Bradley control systems to monitor and operate the system, including remote access and timely alarm response.
• Perform regular calibration and preventive maintenance on pumps, valves, chemical systems, field instruments, and other critical equipment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical, electrical, and control system issues to minimize downtime and ensure continuous operation.
• Monitor and adjust process parameters such as MLSS, pH, sludge age, solids retention time, COD/BOD removal efficiency, flow, dissolved oxygen, and temperature.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment, ensuring OSHA compliance and collaborating with the Safety Team as needed.
• Analyze operational data to evaluate system trends, identify disruptions, and ensure regulatory and performance compliance.
• Communicate regularly with clients and project teams to share operational insights, provide technical summaries, and support system optimization.
• Read and interpret engineering plans, P&IDs, PFDs, O&M manuals, and installation details; verify that installations align with design documents.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and revising operational protocols for both new and existing sites.
• Support project management by tracking tasks, updating schedules, and assisting with site upgrades and retrofits.
• Assist with pre‑commissioning and commissioning activities, executing assigned tasks on schedule with a minimum 95% completion rate.
• Lead punch‑list development and resolution before plant handover; verify systems meet specifications before final sign‑off.
• Support and perform functional and performance testing during the commissioning phase.
• Maintain accurate records, document work completed, and contribute to regular operational reporting.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development as determined by the Senior Director of Site Operations; complete required continuing education hours annually.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• 5+ years operating industrial or municipal water/wastewater facilities.
• Possess a wastewater license in the state of Colorado, or the ability to obtain an equivalent one.
• Operated and optimized WWTPs in food/beverage or municipal sectors.
• Managed digestor systems: phosphorus removal, suspended growth, anaerobic treatment, solids separation.
• Maintained and operated MBR and RO units.
• Hands‑on experience with anaerobic/aerobic treatment, RO, UF‑MBR, MBBR, filtration, chemical dosing, biogas reactors.
• Operated and maintained skidded/process equipment, process controls, and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with mechanical and electrical basics: pumps, valves, piping, dewatering, solids handling.
• Applied basic industrial electrical and instrumentation knowledge.
• Performed regular lab testing, water quality analysis, and data collection (TSS, MLSS, conductivity).
• Read and applied P&IDs and PFDs for system operations.
• Knowledge of PLC/SCADA programming, control sequences, and industrial process automation.
• Used Ignition, Siemens, Allen‑Bradley, or similar automation/control platforms.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Worked independently in the field, managing multiple priorities.
• Available for travel 1–2 times per quarter.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Lives within 30 minutes of Denver plant site.

Desired Skills/Qualities

• Degree in Science, Engineering, or technical certificate.
• Experience with MBR, biomass management, membrane cleaning, and related safety practices.