Lead Operator

Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.

Position Purpose: 

Account for operation of the wastewater treatment plant processes, laboratory, and biosolids management operations and perform various other assigned operations responsibilities.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Provide continuous effective treatment of collected wastewater, manage biosolids processing and distribution, and provide the analytical examination of water, wastewater, and biosolids in compliance with United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) regulations, and in accordance with standard operating procedures and approved methods; assure availability of sufficient liquid biosolids storage capacity as to cause no interference or interruption to the wastewater treatment process operations; secure the procurement of materials and supplies in accordance with established policies as required to accomplish the same; maintain records as required.
• Communicate specific instructions to, direct, and review the work of other operators assigned to perform water/wastewater treatment process, laboratory, and biosolids processing/distribution operations; refer any personnel matters to the Assistant Project Manager or Project Manager.
• Implement and maintain standard wastewater treatment process control, laboratory, and biosolids management operations procedures.
• Account for all assigned materials, tools, and equipment; perform specific maintenance and inspections in accordance with established procedures; maintain records as required to accomplish the same.
• Coordinate wastewater treatment process operations with the biosolids and laboratory operations; coordinate and perform preventive and corrective maintenance and repair of assigned equipment to assure the continuous effective treatment of collected wastewater, and sufficient biosolids processing.
• Assure the scheduling, analysis, and the performance of sample collections in accordance with EPA and PADEP regulations; coordinate required performance of analytical examinations with any private laboratories in order to meet established deadlines.
• Confer on a regular basis as determined by Project Management and as circumstances warrant with other operators and the Utility Operations Supervisor.
• Monitor vehicle inventory and condition.
• Provides proper documentation and reports as required.
• Must be able to work extended hours as needed.
• Complete work orders and daily activity reports accurately.
• Operate mobile and heavy equipment such as but not limited to backhoes, dump trucks, utility trucks, jackhammers, Belt Press, air compressors and power-driven equipment.
• Perform other work activities related to specific job responsibilities listed above.
• Assist in the development of policies and procedures; review the work of other operators to assure established procedures are followed.
• Complies with all organization safety procedures.
• Participates in continuous improvement programs.
• Participates on cross-functional teams.
• Performs other projects / tasks/ duties as assigned.

Education/Experience/Background: 

• High School Diploma/GED is required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in operations and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants, including 1 year experience in process control operations.
• Requires the knowledge necessary to understand basic operation, technical, or office processes and 1-2 years of experience repairing and installing water distribution and collection systems preferred.
• Experience using closed caption television (CCTV) and other sewer inspection equipment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Ability to read work orders, city maps, and general correspondence.
• Ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Ability to write work orders, time sheets, customer contact forms, log books, bench sheets.
• Ability to troubleshoot, prioritize and make decisions on job site.
• Ability to utilize technology, computer programs and/or smartphone or tablet apps associated with the company or position (HachWIMS, CMMS, Outlook, Teams, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to direct helpers, assistants, or new hires (crews).
• Problem Solving (operational, network, plumbing).
• Demonstrated ability to choose an appropriate course of action within limits set by standard practices and procedures.
• Technical knowledge of the Wastewater Treatment Facility and Collection System Network.
• Professional judgment required to apply the proper course of action under various circumstances.
• Computer applications as they relate to area assigned.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Proven skill in the operation of the wastewater treatment processes.
• Proven skill in the accurate performance of analytical laboratory procedures.
• Ability to deal effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment such as front loaders, forklift, skid-steer, dump trucks and Jet-Vac Truck.
• Must be able to respond to emergency calls as needed and work extended hours.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training: 

• Hold valid PADEP Class A Wastewater License.
• Hold valid PA Class B Endorsement N (Tank) with no air brake restriction Commercial Driver’s License.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform manual labor, climb high structures.
• Ability to perform lifting of objects weighing as much as 50 lbs.
• Ability to remain on one’s feet while working for periods as long as 5 hours.
• Ability to perform work on elevated structures and in confined spaces.
• Ability to bend, reach, and squat to perform operations and maintenance tasks.
• Ability to hear and communicate on the telephone, two-way radio, and in person.
• Ability to view operations and maintenance reports and documents.

Benefits: Our employees are covered by comprehensive benefits packages including paid time off policies; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans, savings accounts; tuition reimbursement; paid volunteering and more.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.