Job Title
Licensed Wastewater Treatment & Collection Operator (Grade II) / Operator in Responsible Charge
Position Summary
The Licensed Wastewater Treatment & Collection Operator is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the Tanner Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (TCWWTP) and associated pumping stations. The operator shall ensure all operations comply with federal, state, and local regulations (including ORDEQ NPDES Permit), perform required sampling and reporting, coordinate with the USACE COR/ECC, and act as the Contractor’s lead technical operator for the facility.
This role functions as the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) when on duty, and must provide backup coverage as part of the operator team to maintain continuous compliance.
Duties & Responsibilities
The following are typical duties (not exhaustive):
- Operate and monitor all treatment processes (primary, secondary, tertiary, disinfection, sludge handling) and pumping stations.
- Monitor flow, basin levels, aeration systems, chemical feed systems, pumps, valves, blowers, and ancillary equipment.
- Perform daily, weekly, and periodic sampling and testing (BOD₅, TSS, pH, nutrients, etc.) and ensure data quality.
- Maintain logs, records, and reports consistent with PWS requirements and ORDEQ Schedule B.
- Make operational adjustments (e.g., chemical dosing, recirculation, aeration rates) to meet permit limits.
- Perform routine preventive and corrective maintenance on process equipment (pumps, motors, valves, actuators, instrumentation).
- Calibrate and maintain instrumentation and sensors.
- Respond to alarms, equipment failures, and emergency events (e.g. bypass, power outage, hydraulic surges).
- Coordinate inspections with regulatory agencies, accompany inspectors, document observations, and facilitate corrective actions.
- Support or supervise subcontracted laboratory services, ensure proper sample handling.
- Adhere to all safety, security, and environmental protocols (EM 385-1-1, lockout/tagout, confined space, etc.).
- Participate in development of SOPs, APP, AHA, and Quality Control / Quality Assurance (QA/QC) activities.
- Liaise with Contractor’s management, COR, ECC, and other parties.
- Provide lead direction (informally or formally) to other operator staff or support personnel, as needed.
Required Qualifications
- Oregon Grade II Wastewater Treatment Operator license (or equivalent recognized by Oregon)
- Oregon Grade II Collection (sewer) Operator license
- Minimum 3 years’ operational experience in a Class II wastewater treatment system (or equivalent)
- Strong working knowledge of EPA / NPDES regulations, state / local wastewater rules, and wastewater process theory
- Experience in laboratory sampling and analysis protocols, QA/QC
- Mechanical aptitude—knowledge of pumps, motors, valves, instrumentation, chemical feed systems
- Ability to read and interpret process data, charts, instrumentation, SCADA systems
- Excellent recordkeeping, report-writing, and communication skills
- Ability to respond to emergencies and off-hours events
- Familiarity with safety practices (confined space, lockout/tagout, PPE)
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with USACE / government contracts or federal facilities
- Prior experience in Corps or military environmental compliance settings
- Experience in preparing SOPs, safety plans, and process improvement
- Supervisory or lead experience
- Training or certification in safety, environmental compliance, or related fields
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Work in outdoor and indoor plant environments; exposure to weather, chemicals, noise, and confined spaces
- Climbing, walking on uneven terrain, ladders, platform heights
- Lifting and moving equipment, tools, or sample containers
- Being on-call for emergency response
- Possible overtime, weekend, and holiday duty
