Operator in Training

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: 

Under the direction and guidance of a licensed operator, Superintendent, Supervisor, or other designated management representative, the Operator in Training (OIT) performs a broad range of wastewater treatment plant and sanitary sewer collection system operational, maintenance, inspection, sampling, laboratory-support, customer-service, and emergency-response duties.

This is a developmental position designed to provide progressively responsible hands-on experience in the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of the Princeton Meadows Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), lift stations, and associated collection system. While the OIT begins by performing routine assignments and working under appropriate supervision, the position is not limited to entry-level activities. As knowledge, demonstrated competency, training, and licensing progress, the OIT may perform increasingly complex operational and maintenance duties within the scope of the position and consistent with NJDEP licensing requirements, Company procedures, and management direction.

The OIT is expected to develop the technical knowledge, practical field experience, safety awareness, and professional judgment necessary for advancement within the Princeton Meadows Operations staffing structure. The position includes participation in a documented training and development program, qualifying wastewater-treatment and collection-system work experience, and assigned duties intended to support the employee’s timely attainment and maintenance of NJDEP S-1 wastewater-treatment and C-1 collection-system operator licenses.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Facility Inspections: Perform routine inspections of treatment-process equipment, pumps, blowers, aerators, chemical-feed systems, clarifiers, ultraviolet-disinfection equipment, lift stations, and related facilities. Observe and report leaks, unusual noises, odors, vibrations, alarms, abnormal operating conditions, and equipment deficiencies to a licensed operator or supervisor.
• Basic Maintenance: Perform preventive and corrective maintenance activities, including basic mechanical repairs, lubrication, valve exercising, equipment cleaning, and minor repairs using hand and power tools.
• Sampling & Compliance: Collect wastewater, sludge, influent, effluent, and other process samples in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety requirements, and NJDEP/NJPDES permit requirements. Perform routine field and laboratory testing, including sample preparation, settleability testing, sludge blanket measurements, and other assigned analyses.
• Data Logging: Accurately record plant operating data, sample information, chemical-use data, equipment runtimes, flows, meter readings, and inspection findings in written logs and designated digital systems. Maintain accurate records and promptly notify supervision of missing, inaccurate, or abnormal information.
• Grounds & Tank Upkeep: Perform general housekeeping and facility-upkeep activities, including cleaning process areas, wash-downs, painting, mowing, landscaping, snow removal, and grounds maintenance. Clean clarifier weirs, scum troughs, channels, tanks, screens, and other process equipment.
• Safety Adherence: Comply with all Veolia policies, environmental health and safety requirements, OSHA standards, confined-space-entry requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements. Consistently use required personal protective equipment (PPE), including fall-protection equipment, respiratory protection, chemical-handling PPE, and traffic-control devices, as applicable.
• Teamwork and Worksite Readiness: Perform all work in a manner that supports Veolia’s commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, reliability, teamwork, and customer service. Maintain work areas, tools, vehicles, and equipment in a clean, organized, and safe condition.

Work Environment:

• Must be able to wear required PPE and safely work around moving equipment, wet or slippery surfaces, elevated work areas, chemical-storage and chemical-handling areas, traffic conditions, and wastewater-process environments.

Education/Experience/Background: 

• High School Diploma/GED is required.
• Coursework or demonstrated aptitude in mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, electrical systems, or related skilled trades is preferred.
• Entry-level position; prior wastewater-treatment, collection-system, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, utility, laboratory, or construction experience is preferred but not required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Ability to learn wastewater-treatment-plant processes and sanitary-sewer-collection-system operations.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, SOPs, safety procedures, and technical training materials.
• Ability to identify and promptly report unsafe conditions, equipment abnormalities, and process concerns.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to safely use common hand and power tools.
• Ability to perform basic job-related mathematics and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work independently on assigned routine tasks and effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with coworkers, supervisors, customers, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to learn and use Veolia systems and technology, including Chromebook devices and Google Workspace applications, such as Gmail, Sheets, and Docs.
• Ability to learn and use SCADA, GIS, asset-management systems, computerized maintenance-management systems (CMMS), New Jersey One-Call systems, and other operational software, as assigned.
• Ability to participate in emergency and on-call activities following appropriate training and authorization.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training: 

• Must actively pursue and obtain NJDEP S-1 wastewater-treatment operator and C-1 collection-system operator licenses within two and one-half (2.5) years of hire.
• Obtaining and maintaining both the NJDEP S-1 and C-1 licenses within two and one-half (2.5) years of hire is a condition of employment for the Operator in Training classification.
• The employee is responsible for timely completion of all required coursework, applications, examinations, continuing education, renewals, and other NJDEP licensing requirements.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods; walk on uneven terrain; climb stairs, ladders, and platforms; and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to enter confined spaces when trained, authorized, and properly equipped.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull, and move tools, equipment, and materials consistent with job requirements, commonly up to fifty (50) pounds, with assistance or mechanical aids when required.
• Must be able to see, hear, speak, smell, and otherwise recognize alarms, abnormal operating conditions, equipment issues, customer concerns, and potential safety hazards.

Pay Range: $24.00 to $27.00 per hour.

Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.

Sick leave –  56 hours; Observed Holidays – 11 days; Vacation – 15 days

Eligible for up to 3.5% Annual Performance Bonus

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.