WWTP Operator (Area Metro)

Mentor Technical Group; Puerto Rico; On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Mentor Technical Group is seeking an operator to manage wastewater and potable water treatment facilities at our Puerto Rico site. The role involves daily rounds, SCADA monitoring, chemical handling, and ensuring compliance with environmental permits.

The candidate will perform sampling, data logging, and troubleshooting, while coordinating with maintenance, quality, and environmental personnel to uphold safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in environmental science or related field is required or equivalent.
• Experience with industrial water/wastewater systems is preferred.
• Familiarity with environmental regulations and safety practices is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Operate wastewater and potable water treatment facilities safely and in compliance with permits.
• Perform daily rounds and monitor equipment for proper operation.
• Conduct routine chemical handling and inventory management.
• Carry out sampling and testing to verify regulatory compliance.
• Troubleshoot upsets and coordinate with maintenance and QA teams.

Skills

Wastewater treatment

SCADA

PLCs

Chemical handling

Education

Associate degree in environmental science or related field

Tools

SCADA

PLC

Job description

Mentor Technical Group (MTG) provides a comprehensive portfolio of technical support and solutions for the FDA-regulated industry. As a world leader in life science engineering and technical solutions, MTG has the knowledge and experience to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device safety and efficacy guidelines. With offices in Caguas, PR, Boston, MA & San Francisco, CA and we serve life sciences clients in six global markets: United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Germany, Canada, and South America.

Essential Functions

• Operate, monitor, and control wastewater treatment systems and potable water treatment processes to ensure compliance with facility requirements and applicable environmental regulations.
• Perform routine inspections of treatment plant equipment, including pumps, filters, tanks, valves, blowers, chemical feed systems, instrumentation, and control panels.
• Monitor system parameters through SCADA, PLCs, gauges, meters, and laboratory testing to maintain optimal plant performance.
• Collect, analyze, and document water and wastewater samples in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Adjust chemical dosing, flow rates, aeration systems, and other treatment processes based on operational data and process demands.
• Respond to alarms, equipment malfunctions, utility interruptions, and process deviations, taking immediate corrective actions to minimize operational impact.
• Maintain accurate operational logs, maintenance records, laboratory results, and compliance documentation.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance activities on treatment systems and associated utilities.
• Ensure continuous supply and quality of potable water for facility operations while maintaining wastewater discharge within permit limits.
• Participate in investigations, root cause analyses, deviations, and corrective actions related to utility system performance.
• Follow all Environmental, Health, Safety (EHS), GMP, and facility operating procedures at all times.
• Coordinate with maintenance, engineering, quality, and environmental personnel to support facility operations and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Operate wastewater and potable water treatment facilities in a safe, efficient, and compliant manner.
• Conduct daily rounds of treatment systems to verify proper operation and identify potential issues before they impact performance.
• Perform routine chemical handling, chemical inventory management, and replenishment activities while adhering to safety requirements.
• Execute operational testing, sampling, and monitoring activities to verify compliance with internal specifications and environmental permits.
• Troubleshoot process upsets, equipment failures, and utility system abnormalities and implement corrective measures as required.
• Assist in startup, shutdown, commissioning, and qualification activities for new or modified treatment equipment.
• Coordinate with external laboratories, contractors, regulatory inspectors, and service providers when required.
• Maintain housekeeping standards in all treatment plant and utility areas.
• Review, update, and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and maintenance procedures.
• Participate in environmental compliance audits, inspections, and regulatory reporting activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, efficiency, sustainability, water conservation, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure all operational activities comply with federal, state, local, and facility-specific environmental regulations and permit requirements.
• Provide technical support during environmental incidents, emergency responses, and contingency situations.
• Participate in training programs and maintain required operator certifications and qualifications.
• Promote a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance throughout the facility.

Qualifications Requirements/Knowledge/Education/Skills:

• Associate degree in a relevant science, biology, chemistry, environmental discipline or related field.

• Technical degree with years of equivalent industrial/commercial experience in boiler operation or wastewater treatment facility where water softeners and chemical treatments were used. Any combination of experience motors and pumps.

• Must possess a valid Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP) License, Type IV is highly preferred issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or have the ability to obtain the required certification within a specified period after hire, as permitted by facility and regulatory requirements. The operator is responsible for maintaining the license in good standing and complying with all continuing education and renewal requirements.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment:

• Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and respond to emergency call-ins as required.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to work in outdoor environments and varying weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform activities such as climbing ladders, walking, standing for extended periods, and working in confined spaces when authorized.
• Exposure to chemicals, wastewater streams, treatment processes, and industrial utility equipment in accordance with established safety procedures.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate equipments, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, talk, or hear; sit; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and smell. The employee may lift and/or move up to 25-35 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• He/she may frequently work inside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts, exposed to wet and or humid conditions, and an odorous atmosphere, may be exposed to fumes and the risk of electrical shock, and occasionally work on ladders in high places, in small spaces, such as lift/metering stations, manholes, tanks and wet wells. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud.

Mentor Technical Group es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades y todos los solicitantes calificados recibirán consideración para el empleo sin importar raza, color, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, información genética, origen nacional, estado de veterano protegido, estado de discapacidad o cualquier otro grupo protegido por ley.

Mentor Technical Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.