Sr. Wastewater Treatment Operator

The Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator performs and oversees day-to-day operational work in the monitoring, control and adjustment of treatment processes and its ancillary support systems to maintain safe, reliable, and compliant plant performance of an Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF). This role is responsible for the operations of the AWPF's treatment, and chemical feed system to meet operational compliance. This work directly affects the stable operation and performance of the membrane bioreactor units, pressurized microfiltration (MF) system, high-pressure pumping and chemical feeds systems, reverse osmosis (RO), UV trains and final polishing for the production on in-plant reuse water, and process controls governing alarms, interlocks, and operating setpoints.

Key duties include monitoring process performance and responding to alarms and abnormal conditions; making operational adjustments to meet treatment goals and meet product water quality requirements; This role will also coordinate maintenance activities and operational clearances for mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation and controls. Responds to process upsets or emergencies. The Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, safety standards, helps develop the O&M team through training and keeping standard operating procedures updated to support continuous, safe, and efficient AWPF operations.

Detailed Description:

This is a senior operational assignment responsible for stable AWPF performance under variable conditions and coordinating the operational response during process upsets and equipment issues. This Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator provides technical direction to other O&M staff to ensure adherence to operating procedures and safety practices. This position collaborates closely with maintenance, engineering, vendor technicians to sustain continuous operations during the shift, protect equipment, and meet water quality requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operations & Process Control

• Lead daily facility operations, monitoring and controlling advanced treatment processes to ensure consistent production of water that meets permit, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Oversee, monitor, and control the operation of advanced treatment systems such as biological nutrient reduction (BNR), membrane bioreactors (MBR), reverse osmosis (RO), ultraviolet advanced oxidation processes (UV/AOP), chemical systems, and finished water conveyance.
• Make operational adjustments to maintain process targets, to protect the equipment, and in-plant reuse water quality requirements including chemical feed adjustments as applicable to the process.
• Analyze process data, trends, and alarms using SCADA and other monitoring systems to identify deviations, diagnose issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate response to process upsets, equipment failures, and emergency conditions, including after-hours support as required.
• Coordinate process start-ups, shutdowns, process transitions, and planned outages; verify readiness and operational control for safe resolution
• Optimize plant operations to improve reliability, energy efficiency, chemical usage, and membrane life.

Leadership & Supervision

• Serve as the lead technical resource for operators on shift, providing direction, mentorship, and on-the-job training.
• Assign daily work activities, coordinate shift handoffs, and ensure effective communication between shifts.
• Support onboarding and qualifications of new operators, ensuring understanding of advanced treatment processes, SOPs, and safety procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across the operations team.

Maintenance Coordination

• Coordinate with maintenance staff and contractors to schedule preventive and corrective maintenance activities.
• Participate in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control system issues related to biological and advanced treatment equipment.
• Ensure proper lockout/tagout, confined space, and other safety procedures are followed during maintenance activities.
• Provide operational input on equipment performance, reliability concerns, and asset condition.

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure facility operations comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, permits, and operating requirements.
• Complete, review, and maintain accurate operational logs, reports, and compliance documentation.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and reporting requirements.
• Assist with development, review, and updates to standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency response plans, and process control strategies.

Safety & Risk Management

• Enforce facility safety policies and procedures, including chemical handling, process safety, and emergency response.
• Identify operational hazards and participate in risk assessments, job safety analyses, and corrective action planning.
• Respond to emergencies such as chemical releases, power failures, and equipment malfunctions in accordance with established protocols.

Continuous Improvement & Support Functions

• Participate in process optimization studies, pilot testing, and implementation of operational improvements.
• Provide operational system upgrades, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Support public outreach, tours, or demonstrations as needed to communicate advanced water treatment concepts.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of full-time paid experience in a class at the level of Wastewater Treatment Operator functioning as a lead worker in directing and instructing a crew in the maintenance and operation of wastewater treatment, sludge treatment and sludge processing equipment.
• A grade III Wastewater Treatment Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Several years of progressive experience in water treatment operations, including hands-on experience with advanced treatment technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and train operators in a complex treatment environment.
• One year of full-time paid experience in a class at the level of Wastewater Treatment Operator functioning as a lead worker in directing and instructing a crew in the maintenance and operation of wastewater or recycled water treatment.

Certifications & Licensing

• Grade III Wastewater Treatment Operator License issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Advanced Water Treatment Operator (AWTO) Certification preferred

Operations Experience

• Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in water or wastewater treatment operations, including advanced water treatment, non-potable and/or potable reuse facilities.
• Hands-on operational experience with advanced treatment processes, such as:
  
  
  
  • Biological nutrient reduction (BNR)
  • Membrane bioreactors (MBR)
  • Reverse osmoses (RO) or membrane biological reactor (MBR)
  • Advanced oxidation processes (UV/AOP)
  • Disinfection and finished water stabilization
  
  
  
  
• Ability to evaluate feed water quality impacts on treatment performance and finished water quality.

Leadership & Supervisory Skills

• Demonstrated experience serving in a lead, senior, or shift lead operator role, including assigning work, overseeing daily operations, and mentoring operators.
• Ability to provide technical direction during routine operations, process upsets, startups, shutdowns, and emergency conditions.
• Experience training staff in advanced treatment processes, SOPs, safety practices, and regulatory requirements.

Monitoring, Controls & Data Management

• Proficiency in SCADA systems, process instrumentation, and automated control systems used in wastewater and advanced water purification facilities.
• Strong skills in process monitoring, trend analysis, alarm response, and operational decision-making based on real-time data.
• Experience reviewing, validating, and documenting operational data, logs, and reports.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• Working knowledge of drinking water, recycled water, and non-potable and potable reuse regulations, permits, and monitoring requirements.
• Experience preparing or supporting regulatory reports, compliance documentation, and inspections.
• Ability to coordinate with supervisors, engineers, and regulatory agencies to maintain permit compliance.

Laboratory & Water Quality Expertise

• Experience collecting samples and performing or overseeing water quality testing, including interpretation of analytical results.
• Understanding laboratory QA/QC practices and their relationship to treatment process control.

Safety & Risk Management

• Strong commitment to facility safety programs, including confined space, lockout/tagout, chemical handling, and emergency response.
• Experience leading safety briefings, job hazard analyses, and promoting a culture of safe operations in advanced treatment environments.

Communication & Collaboration

• Effective written and verbal communication skills for shift logs, incident reports, technical documentation, and coordination across O&M teams.
• Ability to work collaboratively with maintenance staff, engineers, laboratory personnel, and management to optimize facility performance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of advanced water purification processes, membrane systems, and process control principles.
• Proficiency with SCADA systems, data trending, and operational reporting tools.
• Ability to interpret water quality data, process instrumentation, and technical documentation.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to respond effectively to emergency and after-hours operational needs.
• Commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

Work Conditions and Expectations:

• Work is performed in an active industrial plant environment and may involve exposure to noise, weather, odors, chemicals, and process areas.
• Position may require participation in on-call rotation and response to after-hour maintenance or urgent operational issues.
• Physical work typical of industrial maintenance environment is required, including climbing, bending, and handling tools/materials.

Salary Range: The anticipated starting pay range for this position is based on the employee's primary work location and may be more or less depending upon skills, experience, and education. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Location A: $80,000 - $109,000

Location B: $88,000 - $120,000

You can view which BC location applies to you here. If you have any questions, please speak with your Recruiter.

Benefits and Other Compensation: We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee health, performance, and success which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off and parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, performance-based bonus eligibility, employee referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance and long-term care insurance. Click here to see our full list of benefits.

About Brown and Caldwell Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction firm with 50 offices and 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For 75 years, we have created leading-edge environmental solutions for municipalities, private industry, and government agencies. We strive to be the company of choice-to our clients, who benefit from our passion for delivering exceptional quality, and to our employees, present and future, who share our commitment to client service, collaboration, and innovation. Join us, and you will find a home where you can do your best work, reach new levels of expertise, and enjoy exceptional development opportunities. For more information, visit www.brownandcaldwell.com

This position is subject to a pre-employment background check and a pre-employment drug test.

Notice to Third Party Agencies: Brown and Caldwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with Brown and Caldwell, Brown and Caldwell reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.

Brown and Caldwell is proud to be an EEO/AAP Employer. Minorities/Women/Disabled and Protected Veterans are encouraged to apply. Brown and Caldwell ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.