Wastewater Treatment and Utilities Systems Technician

Role overview

Operate and maintain industrial utility systems—wastewater treatment, steam and high-temperature hot water boilers, and water filtration—while monitoring process performance and executing corrective actions that keep production safe, stable, and compliant.

Core responsibilities

• Run equipment via local controls, instrumentation panels, computer terminals, and PLCs per established procedures.
• Track operating conditions; log data and observations; diagnose deviations and apply procedural fixes.
• Lead safe operations for chemical deliveries and applications, solids handling, hazardous waste generation, housekeeping, sampling, routine lab testing, inventory management, and maintenance on pipes, pumps, valves, motors, mixers, tanks, and related equipment.
• Perform predictive and corrective maintenance across pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, instrumentation, PLC logic, and mechanical systems.
• Complete precision alignments, lubrication, fluid changes; replace seals, bearings, gaskets, and similar components.
• Troubleshoot failures; perform technical repairs to restore function.
• Inspect flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, and pressure controls; investigate abnormal conditions and report variances to supervision.
• Calibrate and maintain lab/field instruments: pH and specific ion meters, analytical balances, furnaces, ovens, pipettes, titrators, and automatic samplers.
• Collect scheduled samples (water, wastewater, industrial waste, groundwater, sludge/residuals, gases); run field tests to pace chemical dosing for process and odor control units.
• Monitor bulk chemical inventories and recommend reorders; prepare required solutions.
• Operate vehicles, mobile equipment, and material-handling equipment safely.
• Coordinate contractor work while safeguarding process continuity.

Documentation, quality, and communication

• Use process control software and a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to manage operations, maintenance, and pretreatment QA/QC activities.
• Create and control Utilities documentation; draft, review, and update procedures.
• Respond to client concerns for Utilities and keep management informed.
• Report department performance and quality improvements to the Operations & Maintenance Manager.

Work conditions

• Environment: approximately 75% operations floor, 25% office.
• Potential exposures: fumes; toxic/caustic chemicals; heavy machinery; high pressure; temperature extremes; slippery surfaces; water hazards; electrical equipment.
• Schedule: 12-hour rotating days/nights (4-on, 4-off). Day-shift opportunities are available.

Physical demands

• Time on feet: Standing 50%, Walking 50%.
• Regular hand use; occasional stooping, kneeling, or crouching; ladder/stair access.
• Visual requirements: close, distance, color vision, and focus adjustment; close observation to detect non-conformances and equipment malfunctions.

Minimum qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Skilled trade training and/or 2–4 years of equivalent on-the-job experience in industrial utilities operations, mechanical maintenance, electrical/instrumentation, or PLC functions.
• Applicants with strong hands-on mechanical, electrical, and programming backgrounds are encouraged—formal degrees/certifications are not mandatory.

Technical strengths

• Preventive and corrective maintenance proficiency across facility systems.
• Process control software, CMMS, and lab/industrial pretreatment QA/QC competency.
• PPE mastery (respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.).
• Maintenance/repair of hydraulic systems and pumps (centrifugal, dosing, submersible) and mechanical agitators.
• Ability to interpret exploded views and assembly drawings; perform precision alignment.
• English literacy (operational/safety/quality instructions) and basic math.
• Team-first approach; able to learn quickly and work independently.
• Knowledge of applicable utilities standards and federal/state/local codes and regulations.
• Willing to serve rotational 24-hour on-call, respond to emergencies, and work extended hours as needed.

Licenses and progression

• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Pursuit of the highest site-required certification/license (or current holder).

Required Certification/Licenses/Training:

Must be able to pass a drug test and a criminal background check.

Benefits

Veolia offers a comprehensive package: paid time off; health, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; savings accounts; tuition reimbursement; paid volunteering; and a 401(k) with employer sponsorship. Where applicable, union-represented pay and benefits are defined by the collective bargaining agreement.

Who thrives here

Seasoned wastewater operators and mechanically/electrically inclined junior candidates who want to build their utilities careers are both encouraged to apply.