Operations & Maintenance Technician

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: 

Responsible for the operation, routine servicing and care of a wide variety of specialized equipment and apparatus in a plant/treatment facility including pumps, motors, chemical preparation and feeding; physical, chemical treatment and/or water treatment processes; control equipment and monitoring equipment. Maintains records of operations, completes and submits routine and special reports as assigned. Inspects all mechanical equipment for proper operation, performs technical duties and skilled work in preventive/corrective maintenance and repairs. Provides safe and efficient execution of work as scheduled, providing problem analysis for equipment history, and appropriate action in response to emergencies. Performs related field and laboratory tests, which are necessary to monitor and control the facilities, and makes necessary adjustments to equipment, processes and chemical feeders, as test results may indicate and as instructed by the Supervisor. Operates and assists in repairs to water systems and plants. Trains other employees in the operation and maintenance of the facilities including maintenance, repairs, laboratory work and safety as required.

Duties will also include system distribution activities to include however not limited to: mark outs, meter reading, customer service field activities, and distribution system maintenance and repairs. Must be able to work night, weekends, holidays and overtime as required. Must maintain ability to work flexible schedules as to provide shift coverage for short and long term shift vacancies within the operation. Shift and schedule are subject to change at management’s discretion as to maintain operational efficiencies.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Operates, maintains, repairs and inspects water treatment systems to provide compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations maintaining optimum plant operations.
• Monitors all charts, gauges and other operating equipment via manual and electronic means such as a SCADA system.
• Ensures water quality meets minimum regulatory requirements. Calculates chemical feed rates required, calibrates chemical feed equipment and adjusts chemical feed rate to maintain consistent water quality.
• Maintains good housekeeping procedures at the plant.  Performs routine housekeeping chores and special housekeeping as required.
• Conducts safety inspections and follows all safety rules and procedures.
• Ensures that pumping combinations are accomplished in the most economical manner or as directed by supervisor.
• Responsible for start-up, shutdown, operation and periodic checks of water treatment processes, components and equipment.
• Adjustments of plant equipment such as pumping systems, chemical feeders, auxiliary equipment and control system storage tanks levels and pump stations indicators.
• Performs operations in accordance with established SOPs and job safety standards.
• Develops, assists, and revises operations and maintenance related procedures.
• Performs routine preventative/corrective maintenance.
• Load and unloads chemicals used at the treatment plants.
• Maintains accuracy of shift operating logs, records, time sheets, work orders and other administrative documents.
• Responds to abnormalities and takes appropriate corrective action consistent with established operating procedures and good engineering practices.
• Performs other duties necessary to fulfill facility operation.
• Assists in the development, utilization and effectiveness of the preventative maintenance system;
• Completes accurate reporting of all work execution activities;
• Assists in ordering, delivery and inventory of materials and supplies;
• Provides assistance, guidance and training to other operations personnel;
• Documents results through completed work orders based on schedule and priority or as required;
• Availability for first response calls and problem solving, during and after hours;
• Must maintain ability to work flexible schedules as to provide shift coverage for all short and long term shift vacancies in the operation;
• Shift and schedule subject to change at management’s discretion as to maintain operational efficiencies;
• Performs other job-related tasks as required or requested.

Education/Experience/Background:

• High School Diploma or GED required, preferably supplemented by course work in chemistry, biology, mechanics, mathematics and/or technical school training.
• Upon completion of training, must have a strong technical knowledge of, and hands-on experience working in the operation of advanced water treatment plant facilities on an assigned shift.
• Thorough knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of water treatment plants: knowledge of electrical and electronic systems: knowledge of hydraulic, chemical and mechanical principles pertinent to water treatment plant operations; thorough knowledge of occupational hazards of the work and the necessary safety precautions; ability to operate a computer and other electronic devises relative to the operation of the plants, troubleshooting malfunctions and recording data; ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures; ability to conduct water quality testing, validations and all other necessary water quality instrumentation use/maintenance; ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions; ability to work in adverse conditions; skill in the proper operation and care of a variety of specialized water equipment/materials/tools.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, chemical principles.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must be flexible and enjoy a diversity of responsibilities.
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety regulations, practices, procedures and water quality monitoring practices.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, layouts, wiring diagrams, logic drawings, P&ID’s, technical manuals and specifications.
• Capable of completing written operating procedures, work requests and other documentation completion.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Ability to diagnose abnormalities in complex controls, interlocked control schemes and other operating systems.
• Experience performing maintenance and operational tasks of substantial variety and complexity without close technical supervision.
• Must demonstrate and apply thorough knowledge of mechanical and/or electrical principles and practices and/or instrumentation and controls logics and diagnostics including troubleshooting skills.
• Experience interfacing with SCADA, Computer Maintenance Management Systems and GIS systems.
• Strong communications (written/verbal).
• Ability to prepare/communicate orally and in writing and interact effectively and diplomatically with management and/or bargaining unit employees as well as regulators, consultants, municipal officials, health officers, customers, contractors, and the general public.
• Computer and software usage as required by the position.
• Ability to work with peers as a team player.
• Ability to work alone and without direct supervision.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training:

• Must obtain/maintain New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection licenses as defined within the CBA.
• Possession of valid New Jersey driver’s license.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform work which requires strenuous physical exertion for such activities as climbing, lifting objects weighing over 50 pounds, crouching or crawling in restricted areas.
•  Ability to sit, stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Must be physically able to complete necessary tasks wearing an approved respirator as required, as some required work may have potential for exposure to harmful environments, noise, etc.
• Sensory: Ability to be able to speak, see clearly and hear.
• Mental: Must be able to read and write. Ability to learn and apply new water industry technology.

Pay Range: $35.76 per hour.

Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.

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.