Wastewater Specialist

Job Summary:

Under direction of the Maintenance Supervisor and/or Maintenance Manager, the Wastewater Specialist will follow all established procedures and policies, while producing a product that meets or exceeds available standards while prioritizing safety, quality and efficiency to meet the goals of the company.

Schedule: 8am to 4.30pm; Wednesday and Sunday off.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate and maintain the on-site wastewater pretreatment facility.
• Be the facility subject matter expert and make decisions with little guidance.
• Evaluate water and wastewater stream characteristics and be able to communicate observations verbally and in writing.  Be able to discriminate between normal and abnormal conditions by being familiar with the normal characteristics of the systems.
• Monitor and evaluate the treatment process.  Have a good understanding of the chemical and biological sciences involved in the process.
• Collect samples, perform laboratory analyses and interpret results for a variety of measurements following good lab practices.
• Maintain detailed logs and records of system performance, testing results, and rounds.
• Ensure effective and efficient wastewater plant performanceby performing adjustments based on data driven decisions.
• Ensure compliance with all wastewater treatment plant permit standards. Respond accordingly if trends threaten these standards.
• Perform required state/local permit reporting.
• Regulate the flow of wastewater through the plant by controlling pumps, valves, blowers and other equipment; reads meters, gauges, and other recording devices and keeps a daily log of plant operations.
• Develop required Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and routinely update procedures.
• Maintain, order and receive inventory including chemicals.
• Monitor and schedule sludge hauling.
• Schedule / perform service and care for mechanical equipment according to preventive maintenance scheduling; Perform all PM's in a timely manner according to the PM schedule.
• Operate a variety of tools and equipment; performs general plant cleaning and grounds maintenance.
• Continuously improve the operation of the facility. Assist in finding and implementing water savings and chemical reduction measures.
• Establish and maintain working relationships both internal and external (production, regulatory agencies and equipment vendors, etc)
• Perform assigned duties following Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Maintain records and logs as required.
• Various tasks involving the responsibility of the food safety and quality of company products.
• Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
• Available for call-ins and required over-time to support critical situations.
• Perform assigned duties in a timely manner, including follow-up to ensure work was completed satisfactorily.
• Assist operators in routine maintenance procedures & training on minor trouble-shooting & repairs.
• Conduct general repairs & maintenance to facility and grounds as assigned.

Education and Experience: 

• GED or High School Diploma.
• At least 5-7 years' experience as a Maintenance Mechanic or Technician in a manufacturing environment.
• Must possess a wastewater certification or license.
• Familiar with a variety of wastewater treatment processes including biological, chemical and dissolved air flotation (DAF)

Skills and Competencies:

• Intermediate computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, etc)
• Excellent troubleshooting experience.
• Ability to work well with people.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to Multi-task.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.

Working Conditions:

• Factory and outdoor wastewater environment.
• Varying noise and heat levels.
• Schedule may vary.
• Responsibilities allow occasional opportunity for varying work routine.

Physical Demands:

• Standing: long periods (up to 8 hours)
• Sitting: occasionally for short periods.
• Walking: long periods.
• Bending & Twisting: frequently.
• Lifting: Heavy (50+ lbs) frequently.
• Carrying: Heavy (40-60 lbs) frequently.
• Pushing/Pulling: under 75 lbs without assistance frequently.

SQF Requirements/Responsibilities

• Maintaining food safety and food quality through completing job tasks and maintaining the work area in a sanitary manner.
• Maintaining the master list of documents.
• Report food safety problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
• Notify Maintenance Manager and/or QA Manager of a food quality and safety issue in the event a supervisor is unavailable.
• Back up: Other Mechanical Technician.

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