Lead Wastewater Operator

Lead Operator

At Natural Systems Utilities, we are dedicated to providing sustainable, innovative solutions in the water and wastewater services industry. Specializing in the design, operation, and maintenance of utility systems, we prioritize environmental responsibility, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Join our team and be part of an organization that values teamwork, integrity, and a commitment to a sustainable future.

The Lead Operator, based in NSU's Santa Cruz, CA office, supports wastewater operations across the Santa Cruz service area. This role provides technical direction, field coordination, advanced operations and maintenance support, training, troubleshooting, alarm and emergency response, recordkeeping, and timely communication of facility status, risks, and client needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide daily technical direction, work coordination, and field support to operators and assigned staff.
• Plan, assign, and review operations, maintenance, sampling, inspections, and site coverage to ensure safe, accurate, timely work.
• Perform process testing, including pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorine residual, flow, and other control parameters, to support permit compliance.
• Review data, lab results, alarms, trends, and field observations; make or recommend process adjustments to maintain compliance and optimize performance.
• Complete and review operating logs, maintenance records, sampling documentation, Discharge Monitoring Reports, and other required reports.
• Perform and coordinate preventive maintenance on treatment equipment, including blowers, pumps, filters, belts, valves, UV systems, generators, controls, and related equipment. See Addendum A.
• Train and mentor operators on procedures, safety, sampling, process control, recordkeeping, alarm response, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain accurate records for operations, equipment status, maintenance, work orders, fuel, mileage, timesheets, expenses, and required documentation.
• Promptly inform the Supervisor and operations management of plant issues, compliance risks, safety or client concerns, repairs, expansion needs, and resource needs.
• Coordinate with maintenance, vendors, laboratories, clients, engineers, regulators, and internal teams to support safe, compliant operations.
• Collect samples, complete chain-of-custody documentation, submit samples, review results, and escalate compliance concerns.
• Operate facilities in accordance with regulatory requirements, permits, client expectations, and NSU standards.
• Participate in and help coordinate 24-hour on-call coverage, including alarms, emergencies, after-hours work, weekends, and holidays.
• Model and enforce EH&S policies, report hazards, and ensure assigned staff use required PPE and safe work practices.
• Professionally discuss operations, maintenance, compliance, and corrective actions with management, clients, visitors, engineers, and regulators.
• Assist with monthly operating reports for clients, NSU, or regulatory agencies.
• Represent NSU professionally with operators, clients, regulators, engineers, vendors, and the public.
• Enter confined spaces as needed after NSU training.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• High school diploma or GED required; related coursework or training in wastewater, water, collections, maintenance, supervision, or a technical field preferred.
• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible water/wastewater operations experience preferred, including troubleshooting, field coordination, and compliance support.
• Lead, senior operator, trainer, or crew coordination experience preferred.
• Standard schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., with a 30-minute lunch and adjustments based on operational needs.
• Must participate in the on-call roster, including after-hours, weekend, and holiday work as needed.
• Overtime as required.
• Certificates, licenses, and registrations as required.
  • Driver's License
  • CA Wastewater Treatment Grade 2 License minimum required

What We Offer:

• Top-Tier Benefits: We offer comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance to keep you and your family healthy.
• Employer-Paid Basic Life Insurance: Your peace of mind matters, and we provide employer-paid life insurance to protect you and your loved ones.
• Disability Coverage: With both short-term and long-term disability coverage, you can feel secure knowing you're supported during difficult times.
• Tuition Reimbursement: We are committed to helping you enhance your career. NSU offers tuition reimbursement to support your ongoing education and professional development.
• Mentorship: At NSU, you're not alone. Our team includes experienced mentors who have been in the business for years, offering guidance and support every step of the way.
• Motivated Team: Join a team of passionate, driven individuals who are dedicated to making a real impact on the environment and the communities we serve.

Pay range: $33.33–$38.33 per hour, based on certifications, licenses, and relevant experience.