Wastewater Treatment Plant Technician

At Horizon Organic, we're growing a culture of passionate people driven to do good for the horizon we all share. We're building the tomorrow we want to see. Every single day.

Joining our team means being part of a dynamic environment where your skills are valued, and your contributions make a real difference. We offer diverse opportunities for career growth and development. Embark on a rewarding journey with us in shaping the future of organic dairy!

Two generations of families-and counting-have grown up on Horizon Organic® milk. From the start, as the leading organic milk producer in the U.S., Horizon has been committed to delivering innovative, nourishing dairy that growing families can rely on. In 2023, Horizon Organic became a brand of Platinum Equity. Today, Horizon works with more than 500 farmers across the U.S. to bring high-quality, certified organic milk to consumers. For more information on Horizon's full portfolio of organic dairy products, visit Horizon.com.

About the Job:

We are currently looking to hire a Wastewater Treatment Plant Technician!

The role is an on-site position at our Salt Lake City plant. Hours for the position are 7:00am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Add chemicals: coagulants, polymers, acids, caustic, sodium permanganate and deodorizers to disinfect water or other liquids
• Inspect equipment on a regular basis
• Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges, and make any adjustments as necessary
• Collect daily process samples (COD) and conducted associated lab work and reporting requirements.
• Record meter and gauge readings and operational data
• Work in collaboration with site EHS Manager to document and report test results to regulatory agencies and maintain compliance with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Work in collaboration with site EHS Manager to handle regulated and non-regulated waste activities. This includes controlling inventory of RCRA empty containers for the facility designated for pickup from 3rd party hauler.
• Document daily operations and prepare internal and external reports as necessary.
• Provide local site team of daily updates regarding WWTP operation.
• Report to the local site team of any actions necessary to avoid regulatory non-compliance or operational interruption.
• Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of process wastewater
• Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas
• Follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations
• Ensure all safety standards are met

• Achieving the operational expectations for the wastewater system

• Utilizing practical continuous improvement tools to identify and address process improvement needs, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies
• Capacity Analysis
• Develop generic profiles of the wastewater during the plant production of certain products and their impact on the COD, BOD, and TSS loading.
• Maintain WWTP chemical inventory and place replenishment orders as needed. Work in conjunction with multiple chemical vendors and facility purchase order use for these chemicals.
• Maintain, develop and support the creation of WWTP PM's and SOP's.
• Work closely with the Reliability Leader and Maint. team to schedule PM activities/corrective work orders
• Work with the Parts Room Clerk to maintain the WWTP spare parts stock management
• Coordinate with 3rd party wastewater treatments resources, contractors, haulers, etc.
• Responsible for the WWTP cleanliness, 5S, housekeeping, tools/parts organization
• Be available 24/7 by phone when not scheduled off
• Perform other duties or project(s) work as required

Education and Experience:

• 1-3+ years of experience in wastewater treatment operations
• Excellent analytical, mathematical, and mechanical skills and be detail oriented
• Leadership, interpersonal and communication skills required to interact with all levels of plant personnel and be comfortable working with minimal supervision.
• Ability to balance daily "tactical" needs along with allocating time to "strategic" long-term, continuous improvement initiatives.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules as needed to support 7-day per week, 24-hour per day production facilities. Work schedules could include occasional off-shift or weekend work.

Preferred:

• Wastewater Treatment Certification
• Experience with DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) operation and chemical treatment to achieve optimum TSS levels
• Experience with Ignition software applications and work order management system (MVP)
• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or Wastewater Treatment Technology or equivalent demonstrated experience
• Experience in the Dairy/Food/Beverage Manufacturing industry and Wastewater Treatment Operations
• Forklift (sit-down rider style) operation experience
• Regulated Waste experience (RCRA)
• Experience in Utility processes (Air Compressors, Boilers, Ammonia Systems, Evaporative Coolers, etc.)

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit, talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; crouch; crawl; taste and/or smell
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Requires normal range of hearing and vision (including colors) to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports and laboratory results

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and may be exposed to loud noises in the plant. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to extreme cold, risk of electrical shock and vibration