Dairy Farmers of America

Wastewater Specialist

Dairy Farmers of America  •  $80k/yr  •  Michigan (Onsite)  •  6 hours ago
Apply
AI can make mistakes so check important info. Chat history is never stored.

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE

Ensure that the wastewater treatment facility is operating effectively and efficiently in full compliance with the facility’s wastewater permit by conducting required environmental tests, analysis, and observations, and maintaining a positive working relationship with regulatory agencies. Ensure the facility complies with applicable local, state and federal environmental regulations. Provide operation and maintenance supervision and support for the wastewater treatment plant, performing tasks in a safe manner and following safety and environmental regulations.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Supervise wastewater plant operations by ensuring proper adjustment of plant processes; coordinate sampling operations to assure proper balance of treatment steps and meet all local and state permit requirements
  • Collect wastewater compliance samples for analysis
  • Ensure proper laboratory testing protocols are followed by operations staff
  • Read gauges and meters and accurately record findings
  • Accurately prepare and submit required environmental reporting, permit renewals, inspections, training and corrective actions in a timely manner; interact with state and local regulators as needed regarding regulation changes, on-site regulatory inspections, and permit renewals/modifications
  • Gather technical data and results for reports to be submitted to regulatory agencies
  • Maintain standard operating procedures and preventive maintenance schedules for wastewater treatment activities; work with vendors to align with best practices
  • Lead communication between plant operations and wastewater treatment plant to ensure that operational impacts to wastewater treatment are managed daily
  • Maintain communications with plant operations staff and identified DFA personnel to understand production conditions, changes, and challenges and ensure effective treatment
  • Respond to emergency situations at the plant and provide input and guidance on wastewater treatment impacts
  • Prepare, review, and maintain accurate documentation such as records, logs, orders, surveys and routine reports
  • Perform standardized water process control, monitoring, and compliance sampling and testing including, but not limited to, COD, BOD, TSS, ammonia, total phosphorus, total residual chlorine, temperature and total dissolved solids; interpret daily results for operational trends and make informed adjustments based on daily data collection
  • Monitor wastewater data and treatment system for indications treatment is not performing adequately prior to non- compliance events. Troubleshoot and solve treatment issues
  • Prepare and distribute daily operations reports to identified DFA personnel
  • Assist with maintenance, repair, and lubrication of wastewater equipment using hand tools and power tools
  • Ensure equipment is stored in ready state to allow placement directly from inventory to functioning in the plant
  • Request maintenance repair work appropriate system/process and ensure scheduled maintenance is accomplished in a timely fashion
  • Participate in budget preparation and prepare cost estimates for budget items; monitor expenditures
  • Proactively identify opportunities for continuous improvement, implement CI programs including Lean, Kaizen, 5S and DMS
  • Keep inventory of all waste streams in the facility and implement ways for reducing waste
  • Follow all DFA GMP’s and work in a manner consistent with all corporate and regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements
  • Ensure that all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) policies and procedures reflect current federal, state, and local regulations (i.e. OSHA, EPA, and NMED) and align with DFA standardized procedures.
  • Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
  • Attend required training, including but not limited to Safety, GMP, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Safe Quality Foods (SQF).
  • The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Undergraduate degree in related field (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
  • 2 to 5 years of wastewater related experience with a wastewater system similar to the one onsite
  • Experience in light duty electrical power systems and instrumentation calibration and use preferred
  • Working knowledge of state and federal air emissions regulations preferred
  • Experience withasystembasedonamembranebioreactor(MBR)preferred
  • Experience in supervisory or lead operations role preferred
  • Certification and/or License – Water/Wastewater System Operator (specific for location requirements – Class B-2aChemical Clarification and C-3a Activated Sludge Facility License) or the ability to achieve any appropriate license(s) within 2 cycles, to the extent required by state regulations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Solid knowledge of wastewater treatment systems
  • General microbiological and chemistry skills
  • General maintenanceskills
  • Working knowledge using mechanical skills for making minor repairs to process equipment, piping, and motors
  • Knowledge of pneumatics, solenoid valves, and air cylinders
  • Strong troubleshootingandproblem-solvingskills
  • Able to follow process control computer variables, schematics, and diagnose system problems
  • Able to perform electrical work (e.g., change pump motors, diagnose motor control problems, )
  • Able to perform minor projects from planning to installation (e.g., non-sanitary piping, drain lines, vacuum lines)
  • Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
  • Able to perform accurate mathematical calculations related to this position
  • Able to operate and maintain handheld analytical instruments related to this position (DO, pH, temperature, ammonia, etc.)
  • Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
  • Able to interact positively and work effectively with others (interpersonal skills)
  • Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
  • Able to multi-task and organize own work activities
  • Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

Pay Range


$80000 / year

Dairy Farmers of America

About Dairy Farmers of America

At Dairy Farmers of America, our 19,000 employees work with one goal in mind – to bring value to our family farm-owners.

As a farmer-owned cooperative, DFA offers rewarding jobs across the nation in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, accounting, communications, marketing, economics, on-farm field services, and more.

We value our employees and reward them with competitive benefits, a supportive working environment, and growth opportunities. We capitalize on the strengths of each individual and ensure that each employee is challenged in their role. Through Dairy University, employees receive online training and job enhancement, classes. Employees also have the opportunity to grow within DFA.

We also want our employees to live a healthy lifestyle and offer a health and wellness program that provides access to online classes and materials tailored to help our employees make healthier choices, as well as an Employee Assistance Program that helps employees with legal and health issues, such as advice on parenting or stress management, and free counseling sessions.

At DFA, we understand that our employees provide value within our organization and in our community. We cultivate a culture of openness, transparency, and integrity where employees are encouraged to voice their opinions and share their ideas. We also believe we have a responsibility to give back the communities in which we operate and work to do so through the DFA Cares Foundation.

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. is an equal employment employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, females, veterans, and disabled individuals.

Industry
Food & Beverage
Company Size
5,001-10,000 employees
Headquarters
Kansas City, KS
Year Founded
1998
Social Media