Associate Wastewater Treatment Technician

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America's largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms, Bison, Milk for Life, and Intense Milk. Here, you'll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Job Summary:

The Associate Wastewater Technician supports the daily operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment System (WWTS) for the North Country Dairy, LLC (NCD) facility. This role assists in maintaining regulatory compliance with occupational health, safety, and environmental requirements under the guidance of the Wastewater Technician and EH&S Manager. The Associate Wastewater Technician supports plant leadership, operations, maintenance, safety, and quality teams to help ensure safe, clean, and compliant operation of the WWTS.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support facility compliance efforts with environmental laws and regulations (EPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, etc.) under Wastewater Technician/EH&S Manager direction
• Assist with environmental permit compliance tracking for air, wastewater, stormwater, and waste management
• Participate in routine site inspections and support environmental audits
• Support environmental programs including spill prevention, waste reduction, and recycling initiatives
• Oversee daily WWTS operations including general housekeeping, routine sampling, and PM task tracking
• Operate wastewater treatment equipment (aeration system, blowers) under established procedures
• Monitor wastewater treatment processes and escalate deviations from discharge permit or operating requirements
• Perform basic inspection, testing, and maintenance tasks requiring mechanical aptitude, including: blower repairs, air piping inspection, mowing/brush hog operation, lagoon vegetation removal, tree/brush removal, and annual barley straw application
• Obtain wastewater samples and run lab analysis; complete chain of custody documentation for grab and composite sampling
• Maintain accurate operational records, laboratory results, and compliance documentation
• Support coordination of maintenance and repair activities with Engineering, Maintenance, and external service providers
• Assist in analyzing WWTS performance data and flag anomalies for Wastewater Technician review
• Participate in daily huddle meetings to support safety presence
• Conduct walkthroughs focused on safe work practice adherence
• Support near-miss and hazard recognition follow-up
• Assist with Open Action Item tracking and status updates
• Support new employee safety orientations
• Perform proactive safety functions as directed

Qualifications:

Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to develop a science/compliance background required. Work within a union environment among a cross-disciplinary population. Ability to work individually and in a team setting. Flexibility to train and meet with staff overnight or afternoon shifts. On-call rotation shared among coworkers.

Education and experience:

• BS in Sciences, EHS, or related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 1-3 years of experience in wastewater treatment, industrial, or manufacturing environment; or demonstrated mechanical/technical aptitude
• Basic laboratory skills preferred
• Familiarity with environmental regulations a plus, not required at entry

Certifications (preferred but not required):

• WWTS-related certifications (preferred but not required)

Confidentiality:

The Associate Wastewater Technician may be exposed to and entrusted with confidential information relative to production methods, customers, and company strategy.

Management Responsibility:

The Associate Wastewater Technician is a support function role that operates under the general direction of the Wastewater Technician and EH&S Manager / Plant Manager.

Work Environment:

The Associate Wastewater Technician will support all facets of EHS at the facility but will focus on the WWTS. Must be capable of operating standard office equipment and seeing, grasping hold, walking, climbing, bending, stretching, and lifting up to 40 lbs. At times immersed in the plant production environment working near moving mechanical parts, corrosive chemicals, high-speed conveyors, and processing equipment where temperatures fluctuate, floors may be wet, and noise is a constant factor.

Pay: $23.27-$29.12/hr.*

• The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position's qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.