Position Purpose:
Under the direction and guidance of a licensed operator, Superintendent, Supervisor, or other designated management representative, the Operator in Training (OIT) performs a broad range of wastewater treatment plant and sanitary sewer collection system operational, maintenance, inspection, sampling, laboratory-support, customer-service, and emergency-response duties.
This is a developmental position designed to provide progressively responsible hands-on experience in the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of the Princeton Meadows Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), lift stations, and associated collection system. While the OIT begins by performing routine assignments and working under appropriate supervision, the position is not limited to entry-level activities. As knowledge, demonstrated competency, training, and licensing progress, the OIT may perform increasingly complex operational and maintenance duties within the scope of the position and consistent with NJDEP licensing requirements, Company procedures, and management direction.
The OIT is expected to develop the technical knowledge, practical field experience, safety awareness, and professional judgment necessary for advancement within the Princeton Meadows Operations staffing structure. The position includes participation in a documented training and development program, qualifying wastewater-treatment and collection-system work experience, and assigned duties intended to support the employee’s timely attainment and maintenance of NJDEP S-1 wastewater-treatment and C-1 collection-system operator licenses.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Facility Inspections: Perform routine inspections of treatment-process equipment, pumps, blowers, aerators, chemical-feed systems, clarifiers, ultraviolet-disinfection equipment, lift stations, and related facilities. Observe and report leaks, unusual noises, odors, vibrations, alarms, abnormal operating conditions, and equipment deficiencies to a licensed operator or supervisor.
- Basic Maintenance: Perform preventive and corrective maintenance activities, including basic mechanical repairs, lubrication, valve exercising, equipment cleaning, and minor repairs using hand and power tools.
- Sampling & Compliance: Collect wastewater, sludge, influent, effluent, and other process samples in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety requirements, and NJDEP/NJPDES permit requirements. Perform routine field and laboratory testing, including sample preparation, settleability testing, sludge blanket measurements, and other assigned analyses.
- Data Logging: Accurately record plant operating data, sample information, chemical-use data, equipment runtimes, flows, meter readings, and inspection findings in written logs and designated digital systems. Maintain accurate records and promptly notify supervision of missing, inaccurate, or abnormal information.
- Grounds & Tank Upkeep: Perform general housekeeping and facility-upkeep activities, including cleaning process areas, wash-downs, painting, mowing, landscaping, snow removal, and grounds maintenance. Clean clarifier weirs, scum troughs, channels, tanks, screens, and other process equipment.
- Safety Adherence: Comply with all Veolia policies, environmental health and safety requirements, OSHA standards, confined-space-entry requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements. Consistently use required personal protective equipment (PPE), including fall-protection equipment, respiratory protection, chemical-handling PPE, and traffic-control devices, as applicable.
- Teamwork and Worksite Readiness: Perform all work in a manner that supports Veolia’s commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, reliability, teamwork, and customer service. Maintain work areas, tools, vehicles, and equipment in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
Work Environment:
- Must be able to wear required PPE and safely work around moving equipment, wet or slippery surfaces, elevated work areas, chemical-storage and chemical-handling areas, traffic conditions, and wastewater-process environments.