Wastewater Technician Lead
Sarpi Thinktech, Hemlock, MI, United States
Wastewater Technician Lead
Veolia is a global leader in environmental services, operating across all five continents with nearly 218,000 employees. Specializing in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia designs and implements innovative solutions for decarbonization, depollution, and resource regeneration, supporting communities and industries in their ecological transformation. Within this framework, Water Tech brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to tackling the world's most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, and energy. Together, we pursue a shared mission to create a more sustainable future.
Job Description
Job Summary
This position is responsible for operating and maintaining the Industrial Wastewater plant located in Hemlock, Michigan, and providing leadership and direction to operators on other shifts. The Lead Wastewater Technician will control the wastewater treatment plant's systems and equipment to purify and clarify water for permitted industrial discharge. Leadership responsibilities include delegating day-to-day tasks and projects, providing direction on operational changes, continued training of the operations team, ensuring proper direction is maintained for compliance sampling, and supporting the team in maintaining a positive relationship with the client. The Lead Technician will communicate with Facility and Veolia management on a routine basis.
Key Characteristics
Strong mechanical aptitude
Willingness to learn and ability to take instructions on Wastewater treatment processes
Ability and desire to build and maintain a "team mentality"
Strong communication skills, both verbally and written
Independent decision-making and judgment for commonly encountered problems
Ability to develop creative and innovative ideas to improve processes
Highly effective report creation skills, including narrative and data presentation through the use of tables and graphs
Ability to support a 24/7 operation
Ability to provide guidance and leadership by exemplifying hard work, attention to detail, fair treatment of team members, and taking responsibility for results
Duties & Responsibilities
Maintain complete operational coverage of the Industrial Wastewater facility throughout all scheduled shifts (primarily 12-hour Day/Night shifts & Weekends); provide leadership and direction to operators on other shifts
Operate and control electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate water flow; collect and test wastewater samples to determine concentration levels and impurities at designated testing frequency
Analyze lab data to identify potential treatment issues and implement process changes to prevent non-compliance; maintain accurate record keeping of client data such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity, and water pressure
Coordinate with other operators, Industrial facility personnel, and Veolia management to maintain wastewater treatment equipment and determine optimal treatment methods; advise clients on appropriate methods for hazardous waste spill cleanups, recycle programs, energy savings programs, and water usage reduction
Complete all preventative maintenance at designated frequencies and assist with minor and intermediate maintenance projects including chemical pump repair, valve replacement, piping installation, mechanical pump seal replacement, and impeller replacement
Compile data for daily, weekly, or monthly operating reports to Veolia and Industrial management; may compile data for EPA or state regulatory bodies
Coordinate with Veolia purchasing department to order wastewater treatment supplies (equipment, lab reagents, chemicals) and with Industrial facility to schedule third-party maintenance support for projects outside Veolia's scope of work
Other Duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google equivalent
Strong communication skills, both verbally and written
Ability to make process changes based on lab data and general process knowledge to correct compliance issues or improve treatment processes
Ability to evaluate skills and abilities of other operators to properly assign/delegate tasks such as lab analyses, maintenance, preventive maintenance, chemical inventory management, and waste disposal
Ability to evaluate maintenance projects and determine what outside support is needed, then coordinate and schedule with client maintenance teams or contractors
Independent scheduling of work load and management of inventories including lab supplies, consumable items, and equipment parts
Willingness and availability to work with fellow operators on off-shifts when problems arise or if the operator needs assistance
Ability to access customer site
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Required:
High school diploma or equivalent required
Operational experience of site specific equipment preferred, including: ROs, Clarification, UFs
Preferred (if applicable):
Wastewater entry level licensing or certification preferred but not required
Obtain all state required wastewater licensure for the Industrial - Whitehall, MI facility within 2 years of working at Industrial - Whitehall, MI
Working Conditions (Specify % of travel involved if applicable, physical conditions, interaction with any hazardous material, work environment, etc.)
Typical working conditions include a wastewater treatment plant and outdoors
Exposure to extreme weather conditions (extreme heat and cold)
Potential exposure to burns, chemicals, dangerous systems, dirt and dust, electrical hazards, grease and oil, loud noises, vibrations, steam and high levels of moisture, and other hazardous conditions
Physical requirements: lift and/or carry up to 75 pounds, climb a vertical ladder up to 30 feet, stand for long periods of time, walk on uneven surfaces, regular bending, climb onto and exit a forklift in a safe manner, use of extension ladders on a daily basis, ability to climb into and maneuver body in tight spaces
Ability to work both day and night shifts as needed, with primary shift designation being 12-hour Day/Night shifts & Weekends
Ability to work 12-hour shifts if needed
Available for emergency call-ins or phone support
Veolia is a global leader in environmental services, operating across all five continents with nearly 218,000 employees. Specializing in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia designs and implements innovative solutions for decarbonization, depollution, and resource regeneration, supporting communities and industries in their ecological transformation. Within this framework, Water Tech brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to tackling the world's most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, and energy. Together, we pursue a shared mission to create a more sustainable future.
Job Description
Job Summary
This position is responsible for operating and maintaining the Industrial Wastewater plant located in Hemlock, Michigan, and providing leadership and direction to operators on other shifts. The Lead Wastewater Technician will control the wastewater treatment plant's systems and equipment to purify and clarify water for permitted industrial discharge. Leadership responsibilities include delegating day-to-day tasks and projects, providing direction on operational changes, continued training of the operations team, ensuring proper direction is maintained for compliance sampling, and supporting the team in maintaining a positive relationship with the client. The Lead Technician will communicate with Facility and Veolia management on a routine basis.
Key Characteristics
Strong mechanical aptitude
Willingness to learn and ability to take instructions on Wastewater treatment processes
Ability and desire to build and maintain a "team mentality"
Strong communication skills, both verbally and written
Independent decision-making and judgment for commonly encountered problems
Ability to develop creative and innovative ideas to improve processes
Highly effective report creation skills, including narrative and data presentation through the use of tables and graphs
Ability to support a 24/7 operation
Ability to provide guidance and leadership by exemplifying hard work, attention to detail, fair treatment of team members, and taking responsibility for results
Duties & Responsibilities
Maintain complete operational coverage of the Industrial Wastewater facility throughout all scheduled shifts (primarily 12-hour Day/Night shifts & Weekends); provide leadership and direction to operators on other shifts
Operate and control electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate water flow; collect and test wastewater samples to determine concentration levels and impurities at designated testing frequency
Analyze lab data to identify potential treatment issues and implement process changes to prevent non-compliance; maintain accurate record keeping of client data such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity, and water pressure
Coordinate with other operators, Industrial facility personnel, and Veolia management to maintain wastewater treatment equipment and determine optimal treatment methods; advise clients on appropriate methods for hazardous waste spill cleanups, recycle programs, energy savings programs, and water usage reduction
Complete all preventative maintenance at designated frequencies and assist with minor and intermediate maintenance projects including chemical pump repair, valve replacement, piping installation, mechanical pump seal replacement, and impeller replacement
Compile data for daily, weekly, or monthly operating reports to Veolia and Industrial management; may compile data for EPA or state regulatory bodies
Coordinate with Veolia purchasing department to order wastewater treatment supplies (equipment, lab reagents, chemicals) and with Industrial facility to schedule third-party maintenance support for projects outside Veolia's scope of work
Other Duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google equivalent
Strong communication skills, both verbally and written
Ability to make process changes based on lab data and general process knowledge to correct compliance issues or improve treatment processes
Ability to evaluate skills and abilities of other operators to properly assign/delegate tasks such as lab analyses, maintenance, preventive maintenance, chemical inventory management, and waste disposal
Ability to evaluate maintenance projects and determine what outside support is needed, then coordinate and schedule with client maintenance teams or contractors
Independent scheduling of work load and management of inventories including lab supplies, consumable items, and equipment parts
Willingness and availability to work with fellow operators on off-shifts when problems arise or if the operator needs assistance
Ability to access customer site
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Required:
High school diploma or equivalent required
Operational experience of site specific equipment preferred, including: ROs, Clarification, UFs
Preferred (if applicable):
Wastewater entry level licensing or certification preferred but not required
Obtain all state required wastewater licensure for the Industrial - Whitehall, MI facility within 2 years of working at Industrial - Whitehall, MI
Working Conditions (Specify % of travel involved if applicable, physical conditions, interaction with any hazardous material, work environment, etc.)
Typical working conditions include a wastewater treatment plant and outdoors
Exposure to extreme weather conditions (extreme heat and cold)
Potential exposure to burns, chemicals, dangerous systems, dirt and dust, electrical hazards, grease and oil, loud noises, vibrations, steam and high levels of moisture, and other hazardous conditions
Physical requirements: lift and/or carry up to 75 pounds, climb a vertical ladder up to 30 feet, stand for long periods of time, walk on uneven surfaces, regular bending, climb onto and exit a forklift in a safe manner, use of extension ladders on a daily basis, ability to climb into and maneuver body in tight spaces
Ability to work both day and night shifts as needed, with primary shift designation being 12-hour Day/Night shifts & Weekends
Ability to work 12-hour shifts if needed
Available for emergency call-ins or phone support