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: 

Leads assigned team in operating and maintaining water/wastewater treatment, processing, disposal, and testing equipment to consistently purify water and meet all permit and operational requirements. Serves as Primary Operator with full responsibility for state reporting and regulatory compliance. Demonstrates advanced expertise in complex treatment functions and provides technical guidance to team members. Ensures facility operations maintain the highest standards of water quality and environmental stewardship.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities: 

• In conjunction with supervisor, or in his/her absence, reviews daily team requirements. Overseas work assignments to ensure that schedules are met. May recommend changes to schedule to optimize production and/or reduce costs. Ensures that labor reporting is accurate and balances with labor tracking system. Provides feedback to Supervisor on labor, material and equipment demands needed to achieve schedule.
• Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control and vacuum filters used to decontaminate wastewater by settling aeration and sludge digestion.
• Monitors control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow.
• Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned area.
• Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
• Provides proactive technical guidance and troubleshoots operational issues, implementing cost-effective solutions while ensuring strict adherence to process specifications. Diagnoses equipment malfunctions and variances, taking immediate corrective action per established procedures and reporting findings to supervisors. Models best practices in problem-solving and mentors team members in identifying efficient, sustainable solutions. Performs routine and preventative maintenance to optimize equipment performance and minimize downtime.
• Prepares work orders either manually or from a Computer Maintenance Management System as required and prepares work related reports, procurement requisitions, charts, graphs and data submittal requirements in an accurate and timely manner.
• Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes.
• Samples wastewater, sludge and gases (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
• Prepares chemical solutions and services automatic samplers.
• Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder.
• Performs lab tests applicable to permit testing and related reports per procedure.
• Performs instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen, lower explosive limit.
• Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required.
• Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
• Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Practices good housekeeping in assigned area and properly disposes of waste according to safety and environmental policies.
• Assigns, monitors & reviews accuracy of work, no authority for personnel actions, work time is spent performing many of the same duties of those in group.
• Models and enforces compliance with all work practices, policies, and procedures, fostering a culture of safety and accountability across the team. Demonstrates exemplary safe work practices and provides active leadership in achieving facility safety goals and regulatory requirements. Conducts or assists with safety training and ensures ongoing safety awareness through proactive communication and environmental stewardship. Maintains rigorous housekeeping standards and promptly reports potential safety or compliance issues to supervisors for timely resolution.
• Must follow established operational, process control, safety and emergency response procedures. Must adhere to specifications and production schedule.
• May recommend or adapt procedures, techniques, tools, materials and/or equipment to meet special needs. Is expected to suggest process improvements.
• Frequent contact with plant operators and other personnel in order to understand issues.
• Frequent contact with less experienced maintenance personnel, training, coaching.
• Frequent contact with equipment suppliers to obtain operations and maintenance instructions.
• Assists in other areas of plant as needed. May assist with orienting or training new or less experienced Operators.

Work Environment:

• Spends 100% of the time in an operations environment.
• May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicles to perform duties.
• Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work environment temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards and electrical equipment.

Education/Experience/Background: 

• High School Diploma or GED with the ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
• Associate’s degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
• Over five years of experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Must have the ability to perform basic math equations.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.)
• Must consistently demonstrate the ability to operate all machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets under general supervision.
• Must demonstrate ability to efficiently operate all equipment in the facility which may include pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses and measuring/control devices, testing equipment, and material handling equipment.
• Must have the ability to diagnose process problems regardless of complexity, troubleshoot equipment and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
• Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Must be able to serve rotational 24-hour emergency on call if required by site.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training: 

• Must be licensed at a minimum as a Florida Class B Water Operator and a Florida Class B Wastewater operator (Requires minimum water/wastewater license as required by regulatory agencies at site).
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.

Physical Requirements:

• Amount of time spent – Standing 25%, Walking 75% for as many as five miles per shift.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces.
• May be required to use ladders or stairs.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.

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.

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.