Wastewater Treatment Plant Pretreatment Technician

Pierce County; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County is seeking a dedicated environmental scientist to monitor compliance with wastewater regulations. The role involves field inspections, laboratory testing, and collaboration with industrial users to ensure environmental safety. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and experience in environmental sampling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with specific coursework in Chemistry required.
• 1+ years of experience in environmental sampling/testing preferred.
• Possession of Wastewater Treatment Operator I Certificate desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field inspections and monitor industrial discharges.
• Ensure compliance with wastewater discharge regulations.
• Review permit applications and advise industries on compliance.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Customer Service

Laboratory Methods

Database Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a natural or physical science discipline

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity:This is a great opportunity to take your natural or physical science education coupled with your lab and testing experience to make a difference in the community in which you live. You will spend a large amount of time out in the field doing inspections of businesses that have wastewater discharged into sewer service systems. That means taking samples, testing those samples, and making sure they are within limits for pollutants.

You will be responsible for one of 3 pretreatment districts to ensure industrial users comply with relevant federal, state, and local pretreatment regulations. You will perform a pretreatment review, issue an industrial wastewater discharge permit, conduct field inspection and sampling, develop local limits, and carry out enforcement activities following the Enforcement Response Plan (ERP).

Why It's a Great Department:PPW is a diverse and fast-moving department filled with motivated professionals working to ensure Pierce County is positioned to handle growth while building, operating, and maintaining reliable infrastructure to support livable communities. PPW is responsible for a broad and complex portfolio of services that provides unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. We are responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works at www.piercecountywa.org/ppw

How to be Successful in the Role: Your success will come from having skills in teamwork, exceptional communication, customer service, precise laboratory methods, and database management. The desire to learn and be an integral part of the team will further your success.

Your Future in this Role: You will grow professionally in analytical science, chemical, biological, and physical treatment of wastewater. You will also gain a solid understanding of engineering design and the operations of various wastewater treatment systems. Pierce County offers professional development through the Leadership Certification program, robust online learning, and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Correspond with customers, engineers, contractors, and other agencies in matters of pretreatment/spill prevention/surface water.
• Act as the County's representative to industries discharging to the sewers, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local pretreatment regulations.
• Respond to spills or illegal discharges into the sanitary sewers or to surface water and take appropriate action.
• Perform on-site industrial inspections and conduct sampling and monitoring of industrial discharges, municipal sewers, surface water, manholes, and confined spaces.
• Review permit applications, engineering reports, plans and specifications, and discharge monitoring reports to ensure compliance with applicable regulations; pursue enforcement actions against violating industries.
• Write and administer industrial pretreatment permits, advise industries on matters concerning discharges to the sewers, and investigate reports and incidents of discharge violations.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• Bachelors Degree in a natural or physical science discipline with at least 18 quarter-hours (12 semester hours) of laboratory theory and laboratory course work in Chemistry, AND
• Additional related experience may substitute for up to two years of the required education provided that the required Chemistry course work has been completed.
• Additional scientific education at the graduate level may substitute for the required experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One or more years of related experience in either environmental sampling and testing, environmental regulation or water/wastewater treatment is preferred.
• Possession of a current State of Washington Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I Certificate is desirable.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at [e-mail] and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at [phone], at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?