Lead Wastewater Operations & Maintenance Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Woodard & Curran is a national engineering, science and operations firm with a simple vision for clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities and happy people. As an employee-owned company, we strive to cultivate teams that encourage collaboration in an inclusive culture. We seek talented individuals from all backgrounds to help us address a broad range of water and environmental issues. We prioritize our people, offering opportunities for professional growth, ownership and flexibility. This commitment enables us to make a meaningful impact on our clients, communities and the planet. 

Woodard & Curran draws on the experience of hundreds of certified operators across the country, backed by the knowledge and skills of hundreds more engineers, scientists, and regulatory experts, to quickly tackle the most challenging operational issues and keep treatment plants running efficiently and in full compliance.  Woodard & Curran also reimburse employees in earning, upgrading, and keeping their licenses and certifications within the industry.

 

The Wastewater Treatment Facility Lead O&M Technician regularly participates in the daily operations and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Facility as directed by the Plant Manager and Environmental Compliance Manager. This position will be located at the Wright City WWTF, which utilizes a highly automated, 4-stage Bardenpho (w/Side stream Treatment) Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) process. If you enjoy working outdoors protecting nature’s precious resource, water, then you will find this position challenging and rewarding. This position comes with the opportunity for upward mobility to advance your career in the wastewater field. Woodard & Curran is dedicated to our employees’ growth and development and wants to help you on your career path!

What will you be doing at Woodard & Curran?

• Oversee/Perform monitoring of wastewater treatment plant processes and equipment both manually and via SCADA automation, adjusting as necessary to control the operation.
• Perform water quality sampling, testing, and analysis to determine compliance with federal, state, and EPA standards.
• Oversee/ensure Woodard & Curran safety procedures are followed in accordance with best practices.
• Oversee operators/technicians in the operation, maintenance, and control of plant equipment, including preventive maintenance duties.
• Oversee and utilize software programs for maintenance work orders and maintain all necessary records.
• Oversee or perform general maintenance duties of plant and other assigned duties.
• Monitor and evaluate the operations of the wastewater treatment facility and its auxiliary systems; maintains plant log.
• Lead and train subordinate operational and maintenance staff assigned; advise and instruct on methods and techniques for improving efficiency of duties and operations.
• Reviews trends, records, and reports to maintain proper procedure and standards; collects and tabulates operational log data for regulatory agencies.
• Recognize deviations or irregularities in the plant operation and maintenance; adjust the treatment plant process and equipment to maintain the required quality standards of the federal, state, and county regulatory agencies.
• Sample, measure, and test plant values such as pH, temperature, solids concentration, levels, and others; make corrections and adjustments; collect required samples for on and offsite analysis.
• Oversee and collaborate with operators/technicians on specific projects; adjust or bypass job specific areas, processes, or equipment to ensure consistent wastewater treatment, plant integrity, and safety.
• Assist contractors and consultants with specific tasks.
• Assist in preparing standard operating procedures.
• Oversee Plant operations to remain in compliance with all Federal, State, County and City regulatory standards when a manager is not onsite.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and standard operating procedures.
• Work around high voltage and rotating equipment.
• May assist Federal, State, and local regulators during plant compliance inspections.
• Performs related work as required.

Schedule:

• Monday – Friday, 7:00am- 3:30pm. Flexibility and extended shifts to meet the demands of the wastewater system.  Reliable and dependable attendance is an essential function of the position. Availability for standby duty and the ability to be “on-call,” working evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.  Response to emergency events and alarm callouts required as scheduled or required.  Lead position is the first contact for on-call operator/technicians.

What will you need to succeed?

• High School Degree or Equivalent.

• Valid Missouri Driver's License required.

• Must possess at least a valid State of Missouri Class “D” or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license, “B” preferred.

• Being able to make sound decisions in process control and follow instructions, as well as following safety procedures.

• Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check, pre-placement physical and drug screen before employment.

• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Wastewater Plant operations. 

Depending on qualifications and experience.

 

• Annual Project bonuses are awarded each year.
• Annual Safety bonuses are awarded each year. 

Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR)

 

As part of our commitment to a fair and respectful workplace, Woodard & Curran uses a  Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR)to help resolve most employment-related concerns efficiently and consistently.

 

What this means:

• MDR applies to both you and the Company
• Most workplace-related disputes are resolved through  binding arbitration , rather than court proceedings
• Certain exceptions are outlined in the full agreement

 

If you are offered a position with Woodard & Curran, you will be asked to review and sign the MDR as part of your offer packet.

 

\uD83D\uDD17  Review the full agreement here: Mutual Dispute Resolution Agreement

 

 

Employee Support & Benefits

 

Retirement Savings:

• 401(k) Pre-tax or Roth Contributions: The company matches 100% of the first 3% of salary contributed

 

Time away from work:

• Observed holidays: Choose up to 8 holidays to observe annually
• Vacation: Accrued based on years of experience and calculated on hours worked
• Sick time: Paid sick time for non-work-related illness or injury.
• Parental leave : Up to 80 hours of Paid Parental Leave for child bonding

 

Coverage and support for your needs and well-being:

• Disability: Paid short- and long-term disability
• Health : Medical plan options; plus dental and vision plans.
• Life : Basic employee group life insurance and AD&D benefits; additional voluntary life insurance for employees and families is available through Sun Life.
• Wellbeing: DarioMind assistance program combined with personalized mental health and wellbeing resources.

 

Workplace Information

 

E-Verify Participation

Woodard & Curran participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. As part of this process, we display the required Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters. 

\uD83D\uDD17 View required Right to Work and E-Verify posters here.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility

Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non-discrimination and make employment decisions based on job-related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

\uD83D\uDD17 View our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
\uD83D\uDD17 View the "Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster 

 

Inclusion & Belonging

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and believe diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to serve clients and communities.

As an employee-owned company, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment where employees can grow, contribute fully, and deliver meaningful impact.

 

Recruitment Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Submissions without a signed agreement in place will be considered unsolicited and not eligible for referral fees.

 

Text Message Communication Notice:

To support an efficient hiring process, we may send brief SMS updates or reminders. You may opt out at any time by replying “STOP.”

 

Terms, Privacy & Use of AI in Hiring 

\uD83D\uDD17 Woodard & Curran Terms of Use

\uD83D\uDD17 Woodard & Curran Privacy Statement

 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the hiring process (e.g., application review or resume screening). These tools assist our team but do not replace human decision-making. All final hiring decisions are made by people.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.