Wastewater Chief Plant Operator

About Veolia North America

A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) 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. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has approximately 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. Please visit our website www.veolianorthamerica.com.

Pay Rate: $140000 to $200000 per year.

BENEFITS 

Veolia's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement. 

Position Purpose: 

Chief Plant Operator shall supervise the day-to-day operations of the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility (ECLWRF), three (3) satellite plants and Hyperion Pump Station. This position is the primary decision maker for the Title 22 (conventional Tertiary for re-use), Barrier (groundwater injection), Nitrification (cooling water), High Pressure and Low-Pressure Boiler Feed Water Treatment plant processes. Must have detailed and comprehensive knowledge of various treatment processes and associated equipment including conventional and advanced water and/or wastewater treatment, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, ozone, uv, nitrification, solids handling and all supporting processes. The incumbent manages two Supervisors who in turn supervise approximately nineteen (19) operators on four (4) shifts at the ECLWRF and the shifts at the Satellite Facilities to ensure compliance with regulatory and client-specific quality requirements. Works jointly with other departments to ensure that the facilities are operated in the most optimum and efficient way, in line with set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and budget. Ensures that all operations staff strictly follow all safety instructions and use the required and appropriate PPE at all times. Ensures growth and development of existing staff and proper onboarding of new operations staff.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Knowledge of wastewater treatment and/or water treatment, engineering, principles and methods of scientific research, current advances in the field of water reclamation and groundwater replenishment, computer hardware and software applications for the operation of an advanced water reclamation facility, general administrative principles and practices, and methods of supervision.
• Interface with state regulatory agencies, fill out necessary forms and assure correctness. Ultimately be accountable for compliance and the efficient and effective operations of the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, three (3) satellite facilities and the Hyperion Pumping Station.
• Must be readily accessible to supervisors and their direct reports during all shifts.
• Must have detailed and comprehensive knowledge of various treatment processes and associated equipment including conventional and advanced water and/or wastewater treatment, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, ozone, uv, nitrification, solids handling and all supporting processes.
• Routinely monitors and assesses the treatment process operating parameters including their manual and automatic control functions and validates or supervises necessary adjustments ensuring the treatment processes operate in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Provides support and guidance in capital projects, Research & Development projects, plant improvement projects.
• Ensures equipment is maintained in proper operational conditions and supervises work order entry into CMMS to ensure proper triggering of maintenance activities. Keeps a log of OOS (out-of-service) critical equipment status.
• Oversees and ensures the prompt diagnosis of operational issues, the maintaining of operational and compliance records, reports and log sheets and the proper storage thereof.
• Drives and oversees the updating and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and reviews existing SOPs on a regular basis.
• Interacts with, coordinates with, and supports Operations/Maintenance staff, Laboratory staff, Engineering staff, Administrative staff and the Client to perform related responsibilities.

Education/Experience/Background: 

• High School Diploma/GED is required.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in water or wastewater of which 5 years in management or supervisory capacity.
• Prefer experience as Chief Plant Operator or Plant Manager.
• Experience should include working with Clarifiers/media filters and Microfiltration/Reverse Osmosis systems.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of wastewater treatment and/or water treatment plant operations.
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to wastewater system operations.
• Knowledge and ability to analyze data and maintain computer records.
• Knowledge of and ability to perform standard laboratory sampling and testing.
• Available for standby duty and emergencies as needed. Must be accessible to support operations at all times and hours.
• Proficient in MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Computerized Maintenance Management System, DCS (Distributed Control System) and other software used in plant operations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good problem-solving skills including the ability to quickly interpret an extensive variety of technical information/data to make critical operational decisions.
• Positive can-do attitude that perseveres.
• Well organized.
• Ability to adapt to change quickly.
• Team Player.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training: 

• Valid California Driver's license is required.
• California Grade V Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.

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.