Wastewater & Recycling Technician

First Solar; Perrysburg (OH); On-site; USD 24,796 - 30,307; Full time

Job summary

A leading renewable energy company in Perrysburg, Ohio, is hiring for a process technician to operate and maintain recycling and water treatment systems. Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent and experience in technical operations. The role offers a starting hourly rate of $18.00 - $22.00 and requires adherence to safety standards and processes.

Qualifications

• Must have one or more years of FS technical experience.
• Experience in equipment maintenance and process troubleshooting preferred.
• Industrial liquid chemical handling experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain understanding of installed systems and ensure processes run on target.
• Collect and analyze process data.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process and equipment issues.

Skills

Safety-first mindset

General understanding of wet chemical processes

Good written and oral communications skills in English

Self-directed and problem-solving

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Forklift

PLC controlled equipment

Word processing software

Excel

Job description

Overview

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Responsibilities

• Develop a complete operational understanding of installed recycling and water treatment systems and equipment.
• Ensure recycling, wastewater treatment and ultra-pure water generation processes are running on target as per the process plan.
• Respond to process control alarms through basic course correction and escalation through communication.
• Collect data relating to process control parameters and make adjustments as necessary.
• Analyze process data on a regular basis and implement course correction as needed throughout the shift.
• Respond to process control alarms by evaluating immediate and previous process trends.
• Troubleshoot and solve day-to-day recycling and water treatment process and equipment problems and escalate the process upsets to engineer and supervisor.
• Perform standard tests to ensure proper operation of recycling, wastewater, and ultra-pure water systems.
• Perform minor maintenance and repairs including troubleshooting and replacement of pumps.
• Calibrate instrumentation per ISO work instructions.
• Perform routine analysis on samples using laboratory equipment.
• Maintain accurate records using databases, spreadsheets, and other computer-based programs.
• Properly collect, label, and store hazardous waste within the manufacturing plant and assist with shipment of hazardous waste from the plant per documented hazardous waste work instructions.
• Respond to accidental hazardous material spills by containing and cleaning of the spills through HAZMAT standards.
• Provide training to production associates.
• Develop and update internal documentation including drawings, standard operating procedures, and process specifications.
• Interface with internal associates and supplier representatives, as required, to complete assigned projects.
• Develop a complete understanding of area processes, equipment, and support systems.
• Maintain effective communication with area associates and engineers.
• Escalate major repairs to maintenance department through coordination with supervisor and engineer.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
• Ensure waste materials are discarded in their designated containers.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean and orderly work environment following the 5S standard guidelines.
• Use powered industrial equipment (fork trucks, etc.) for moving various materials and chemicals.
• Responsible for verbal and written shift pass-down communications.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience: High School diploma or GED is required.
• Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to qualify:
• One or more years FS technical experience
• One or more years of experience in an industrial/commercial operation or a technical setting
• Associate degree in a technical discipline
• Experience in equipment maintenance and process troubleshooting will be preferred.
• Prior industrial wastewater treatment experience will be preferred.
• Required Skills/Competencies: Safety-first mindset.
• General understanding of wet chemical processes is essential.
• General understanding of chemical compatibilities is essential.
• General electrical/electronic and mechanical knowledge.
• Self-directed, ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Able to troubleshoot and solve problems within the process.
• Good written and oral communications skills in English.
• Ability to deal with administrative as well as technical tasks.
• Industrial liquid chemical handling experience preferred, including strong acids, strong bases, and concentrated hydrogen peroxide.
• Solid mechanical aptitude with emphasis on hands-on experience.
• Forklift experience is preferred.
• Ability to operate computerized (PLC controlled) and mechanical equipment.
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel).
• Responsible for ensuring safe operations and escalate up if needed.
• Valid driver’s license.

Essential Responsibilities

• Maintain complete understanding of installed systems and ensure processes run on target per the process plan.
• Respond to alarms with appropriate course corrections and escalation.
• Collect and analyze process data, performing course corrections as needed.
• Troubleshoot and resolve day-to-day process and equipment issues; escalate upsets as required.
• Perform standard tests and routine maintenance on recycling, wastewater, and ultra-pure water systems.
• Calibrate instrumentation per ISO procedures and maintain compliant records.
• Perform routine laboratory analyses and maintain records in databases/spreadsheets.
• Properly collect, label, and store hazardous waste; assist with shipments per procedures.
• Contain and clean up hazardous material spills following HAZMAT standards.
• Provide training to production associates and develop/update internal documentation.
• Interface with internal and supplier personnel to complete projects.
• Understand area processes, equipment, and support systems; communicate with area engineers.
• Escalate major repairs to maintenance through supervisor/engineer.
• Follow safety and housekeeping standards; ensure waste materials are discarded properly.
• Maintain a clean, organized work environment per 5S guidelines.
• Operate and manage equipment, including forklifts, as required.
• Contribute to shift pass-down communications and perform other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships

• This position will report to the Supervisor – Recycling & Wastewater.
• This position will have no direct reports.

Travel

• No travel is required.

Estimated Hourly Range

• $18.00 - $22.00

US Physical Requirements

• Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day.
• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
• Will lift up to 51 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction.
• Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis.
• Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
• Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis.
• 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow and green is required.
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toe shoes, cut resistant gloves, jackets, aprons and/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection).
• All associates on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time; the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment (requires little or no facial hair).

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.