Chemist - Lab Director at Wastewater Treatment Plant

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: $41.49 per hour.

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: 

Responsible for all activities related to the collection and analysis of samples of streams, raw and treated wastewater, sludge, and other byproducts of wastewater treatment process to determine efficiency of plant processes and to assist Operations staff to ensure that plant effluent meets necessary NPDES permit requirements and client standards. Maintain accurate and thorough records of laboratory procedures and results; ensure compliance with government regulations; prepare analytical work sheets and reports. Assess laboratory equipment needs and train laboratory personnel in new equipment operation and ensure that all lab workers meet federal and state certification requirements. Coordinate the activities and operations of the laboratory and overseeing lower-level staff. Collect samples from the wastewater treatment plant, collection system and receiving waters. Maintain the lab’s inventory of chemicals and supplies. Troubleshoot, clean and maintain laboratory equipment and notify is new lab equipment is required. Provides advice, training, and assistance in the solution of new, difficult, unusual or emergency laboratory problems in all aspects of chemical analyses. Coordinates with Laboratory Technician to plan and schedule scientific investigations, unscheduled sampling and research. Evaluates, interprets, and reports all findings of tests and analyses into computer database. Performs related duties as assigned by Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Initiates changes in laboratory procedures and equipment in order to increase efficiency of laboratory and adhere to present and future State and Federal provisions.
• Directs laboratory personnel in prescribed laboratory techniques and routine tests.
• Provides lab training to plant personnel on proper lab methods, procedures, and techniques
• Managed, perform and submit results for quality assurance/control program; Analyze laboratory data and recommend treatment modifications.
• Responsible for the collection and analysis of samples for NPDES and SDWA permit and quality monitoring and plant process control.
• Using standard laboratory equipment: Conducts tests for settleable solids, suspended solids, total solids, volatile solids, alkalinity, pH, biochemical oxygen demand, turbidity, and other analyses as required.
• Prepare reagents and glassware including general housekeeping duties.
• Undertakes quality control analysis by producing duplicate analysis; analysis standards, blanks and spike recovery.
• Ensures appropriate reagents and equipment are available and orders same in accordance with company procedures.
• Ensures compliance with all procedures for Laboratory accreditation including participation in regulatory inspections.
• Prepare reports and provide data in a form suitable for routine process review.
• Prepare Regulatory/ Commission reports in the absence of the Project Manager.
• Immediately reports analytical results to Operations team when abnormal results are found.
• Undertakes laboratory analysis to permit the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission to comply with its regulatory and financial requirements.
• Provides training and assistance in all aspects of laboratory analysis, and in the solution of new or emergency laboratory problems.
• Coordinates with Laboratory Technician to plan and schedule scientific investigations and research with internal and external entities. Evaluates, interprets and reports all findings.
• Other related duties are necessary.

Work Environment:

• While performing duties the employee will be expected to work regularly in outside weather conditions.
• In the working environment there will be automatically starting mechanical and electrical with the associated risks. Odors and airborne particles are generated in the wastewater treatment process.
• Dangerous atmospheres can be encountered, and company/ regulatory precautions must be used in appropriate circumstances.
• Sampling outside the Springfield Regional WWTF as required is a duty of the post.
• There is a requirement to wear appropriate safety equipment.
  • Safety shoes
  • High visibility tunic outside plant buildings
  • Protective clothing and/or gloves
  • Hard Hat
  • Eye protection / Ear protection
  • Appropriate protective laboratory clothing

Education/Experience/Background: 

• B.S. Degree Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Microbiology or related scientific field.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• The Chemist/ Laboratory Supervisor requires practical and technical skills to collect, test and evaluate samples. Must possess knowledge of city and department policies and procedures, knowledge of federal and state wastewater treatment regulations.
• Have understanding how to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as possessing good math and computer skills. Must also understand the procedures, techniques and equipment used in wastewater treatment laboratory. Understand the bacteriological and physical processes undertaken in a wastewater treatment plant and associated systems
• Have the ability to supervise personnel and manage a department through careful planning, organizing and prioritizing of work. One needs to liaise, coordinate and communicate his/ her findings with operations, maintenance and management personnel.
• Distinguish standard methods of analysis in official documentation.
• Perform duties in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations and safe laboratory procedures.
• Possess knowledge of safe handling and disposal of materials.
• Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, and operating procedure manuals. Ability to read, understand and follow laboratory operating procedures and laboratory analysis Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to read and comprehend instructions and memos, Ability to communicate information to senior management both orally and/ or in writing. Ability to provide and enter computer data onto systems
• Mathematical Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to calculate and interpret mathematical data. Ability to enter data onto computer systems and interpret results. Ability to apply mathematical calculations to required situations.
• Reasoning Ability - Ability to understand, interpret and carry out instructions and information. Ability to communicate effectively such information to members of the team. Ability to interpret and act on information provided.
• Practical Skills - Use equipment, Chemical reagents and materials in the correct fashion. Communicate safe and correct use of equipment and chemical reagents to others.
• Needs skills to plan and prioritize.
• Requires computer skills for data entry, analysis and records.
• Must be accurate and precise in performance of duties.
• Must be reliable and punctual and set a positive example at all times.
• Must be mentally alert at all times.
• Must be a self-starter and self-motivated.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training: 

• Possession of, or ability to obtain State certified Wastewater Operator License, Grade 4 or higher.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, valid NEWEA Laboratory Analyst II certification.
• Valid driver’s License is required.

Physical Requirements: 

• While performing the duties if this job an employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms: talk or hear; and smell.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and I or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and I or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/ or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include; close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

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.