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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wastewater Specialist

💰 $ - $

EnvironmentalEngineeringWater ResourcesOperations

🎯 Role Definition

A Wastewater Specialist is a technical operations and compliance professional responsible for the safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operation, maintenance, and optimization of wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment systems. This role focuses on process control, laboratory sampling and analysis, permit-driven reporting (e.g., NPDES), preventative maintenance of mechanical and electrical assets, troubleshooting process upset conditions, and implementing improvements to ensure effluent quality, environmental protection, and public health. The Wastewater Specialist works closely with operations teams, engineers, regulatory agencies, and contractors to maintain continuous plant performance and support capital and operational projects.

Key SEO/LLM keywords: wastewater treatment, effluent quality, NPDES, biological nutrient removal (BNR), activated sludge, membrane bioreactor (MBR), sequencing batch reactor (SBR), SCADA, process optimization, collection system maintenance, inflow and infiltration (I/I), permit compliance, laboratory QA/QC.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Wastewater Operator I / Plant Operator Trainee
  • Environmental Technician / Laboratory Technician
  • Civil or Environmental Engineering recent graduate (entry-level process roles)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Wastewater Specialist / Lead Operator
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor or Manager
  • Process Engineer / Water Resources Engineer
  • Regulatory Compliance Manager or Environmental Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Water Quality Specialist
  • Collection System / Pump Station Supervisor
  • Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate, monitor, and optimize wastewater treatment processes (including activated sludge, biological nutrient removal (BNR), sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membrane bioreactors (MBR), trickling filters, and tertiary filtration) to meet permit effluent limits and maintain system stability.
  • Manage daily process control and adjustments (aeration, RAS/ WAS rates, sidestream return, chemical dosing for phosphorus removal or pH adjustment) based on process performance indicators and lab results to ensure consistent compliance with NPDES and local discharge permits.
  • Conduct routine and event-driven field sampling and laboratory analyses (BOD, COD, TSS, ammonia-N, nitrate-nitrite, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, pH, dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform/E. coli, and toxicity testing) following standard methods and QA/QC protocols, and interpret results to guide operational decisions.
  • Prepare, review, and submit regulatory reports including NPDES discharge monitoring reports (DMRs), biosolids management records, and incident reports; maintain accurate logs and documentation for inspections and audits.
  • Troubleshoot process upset conditions (bulking, foaming, nitrification/denitrification failure, chlorination issues, membrane fouling) and implement corrective actions such as process parameter changes, chemical feed adjustments, or targeted cleanings.
  • Monitor and operate SCADA and distributed control systems to track real-time plant performance, alarms, trends, and remote assets; tune alarms and recommend setpoint or logic changes to improve reliability and response.
  • Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic equipment including pumps, blowers, clarifiers, mixers, valves, chemical feed systems, and instrumentation; coordinate with maintenance staff and contractors for major repairs.
  • Inspect and maintain collection system components and pump stations: respond to blockages, pump failures, odor complaints, and bypass events; implement emergency containment and corrective measures to protect public health and the environment.
  • Oversee biosolids handling and management activities including thickening, digestion, dewatering, stabilization, testing, storage, transport, and land application or disposal to ensure regulatory and safety requirements are met.
  • Implement and support process optimization initiatives and pilot studies (e.g., support MBR pilots, chemical optimization, sidestream treatment) to reduce energy use, chemical consumption, sludge production, and overall operating cost while improving effluent quality.
  • Lead or participate in root-cause analyses for recurring compliance issues, prepare corrective action plans, and track effectiveness of implemented solutions.
  • Coordinate and supervise contractors and vendor technicians for specialized maintenance, calibration, and capital improvement projects; review scopes of work and verify contract deliverables.
  • Maintain and calibrate field instrumentation and laboratory equipment (DO probes, pH meters, conductivity sensors, turbidity meters, flow meters) following manufacturer recommendations and laboratory standards to ensure data integrity.
  • Ensure safe work practices for confined space entry, lockout/tagout, hot work, fall protection, and chemical handling; lead or participate in safety meetings, trainings, and incident investigations.
  • Manage chemical inventory, storage, handling, and feeding systems; ensure SDS compliance, safe mixing and dosing procedures, and accurate cost tracking.
  • Participate in budget planning and cost control for operations and maintenance activities; provide input on replacement schedules, lifecycle costs, and process improvement investments.
  • Support emergency preparedness and response for spills, bypasses, extreme weather events, or contaminant influxes; execute containment, notification, and remedial actions per emergency plans and regulatory requirements.
  • Provide technical support and mentorship to junior operators and technicians; develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), operating logs, and training materials to build team capability.
  • Maintain accurate asset and maintenance records in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS); prioritize work orders and assist in spare parts and inventory management.
  • Liaise with regulatory agencies during inspections, compliance reviews, and permit negotiations; present technical findings, corrective actions, and performance trends clearly and professionally.
  • Conduct process and safety audits; recommend upgrades or capital project scope changes to improve reliability, compliance, and operational efficiency.
  • Evaluate and implement innovations in treatment technologies, energy recovery, nutrient recovery, and sustainability practices that align with organizational goals and regulatory trends.
  • Collect, analyze, and report operational KPIs (effluent limits exceedances, mean cell residence time, sludge age, energy kWh per MGD) and present actionable insights to plant management and stakeholders.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional projects including GIS mapping of collection systems, odor control initiatives, and watershed protection programs.
  • Participate in pilot testing for new chemicals, membranes, or biological processes; document pilot outcomes and recommend scale-up plans.
  • Assist environmental compliance and permitting teams with data collection, permit application preparation, and responses to public or regulatory inquiries.
  • Develop and update SOPs, emergency response plans, and training documents to reflect process improvements and regulatory changes.
  • Contribute to community outreach and education efforts (plant tours, school visits, public hearings) to explain treatment processes and environmental benefits.
  • Support grant writing and capital funding requests by providing technical justification, cost estimates, and operational impact assessments.
  • Maintain professional certifications and attend industry conferences and technical trainings to stay current on best practices, technologies, and regulatory developments.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Wastewater treatment operations and process control (activated sludge, BNR, MBR, SBR, tertiary treatment).
  • NPDES permit interpretation, discharge monitoring, DMR preparation, and regulatory reporting.
  • Laboratory sampling and analysis: BOD, COD, TSS, ammonia, nitrate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, coliforms, pH, DO; strong QA/QC practices.
  • SCADA/DCS operation and trending, alarm management, and basic control logic troubleshooting.
  • Instrumentation calibration and maintenance (DO probes, pH sensors, turbidity, flow meters, analyzers).
  • Mechanical and electromechanical knowledge for pumps, blowers, mixers, clarifiers, valves, and conveyors.
  • Confined space entry procedures, lockout/tagout, and industrial safety regulations (OSHA).
  • CMMS usage for work orders, preventive maintenance scheduling, and asset management.
  • Chemical handling and dosing system operation (coagulants, flocculants, pH adjusters, disinfectants).
  • Process troubleshooting (bulking, foaming, nitrification failure, membrane fouling) and root-cause analysis.
  • Data analysis and trend interpretation using Excel or process analysis tools; KPI development and reporting.
  • Laboratory information management and documentation (chain-of-custody, SOPs).
  • Familiarity with EPA, state environmental agencies, and local permit frameworks.
  • Basic piping, valve, and electrical troubleshooting skills; experience with motor controls and VFDs.
  • Experience with GIS, pump curves, lift station design concepts, and collection system inspection tools (e.g., CCTV).

Soft Skills

  • Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking to diagnose process upsets and optimize treatment performance.
  • Clear written and verbal communication for regulatory reporting, SOPs, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Team collaboration and the ability to mentor junior staff and coordinate cross-discipline teams.
  • Attention to detail and strong organizational skills for accurate recordkeeping and data integrity.
  • Adaptability and calm decision-making during emergency responses and unplanned outages.
  • Time management and the ability to prioritize competing operational tasks.
  • Ethical judgment and commitment to environmental protection and public safety.
  • Customer-service orientation when liaising with the public, contractors, and regulatory agencies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Environmental Technology, Water/Wastewater Technology, Process Technology, or related technical field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or Water Resources Engineering.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Water/Wastewater Technology
  • Environmental Science
  • Chemical Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of direct wastewater operations or maintenance experience for mid-level Wastewater Specialist roles; entry-level may start at 0–2 years with appropriate technical training.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of progressively responsible wastewater treatment experience including hands-on operation of biological treatment processes and NPDES compliance.
  • State/operator certification (e.g., Wastewater Treatment Operator Class I–IV), and/or professional certifications such as CWEA, AWWA, WEF courses, or similar.
  • Experience with SCADA systems, CMMS, and laboratory QA/QC programs is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in process optimization projects, pilot studies, or capital improvement support.
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