Wastewater Operator

Position Summary: MSC is seeking an experienced Wastewater Operator to oversee the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of our industrial wastewater treatment and pretreatment systems. This position leads daily wastewater operations, including process control, chemical feed, sampling and laboratory testing, equipment maintenance, regulatory compliance, recordkeeping, and emergency response. The Wastewater Operator works closely with the Operator of Responsible Charge (ORC), Plant Management, Environmental/Quality, Maintenance, and Production.

Essential Responsibilities: Lead daily wastewater treatment operations, including start-up, shutdown, process adjustments, flow control, and chemical feed. Monitor pH, flow, treatment conditions, equipment, alarms, and effluent quality; identify trends and take corrective action. Perform or oversee required wastewater sampling, pH testing, and zinc analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy or an approved method. Maintain and troubleshoot pumps, valves, piping, sensors, flow meters, instrumentation, and related equipment. Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, calibrations, and equipment outages with Maintenance and Production. Manage treatment chemical inventory, deliveries, storage, labeling, and safe handling. Maintain accurate operating, laboratory, maintenance, and compliance records. Support environmental reporting, inspections, audits, investigations, and corrective actions. Respond to spills, equipment failures, treatment upsets, alarms, and other emergency conditions. Stop or limit wastewater flow or discharge when necessary to protect employees, the environment, or permit compliance, and immediately notify the ORC and management. Provide daily direction, coaching, and work assignments to wastewater personnel. Work with Production to manage wastewater loading and process changes that may affect treatment performance. Identify opportunities to improve safety, compliance, reliability, chemical efficiency, and operating costs.

Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.3+ years of industrial wastewater, pretreatment, environmental operations, or related experience. At least 1 year of lead, supervisory, or team-coordination experience. Working knowledge of pH adjustment, chemical feed, metals removal, pumps, valves, flow control, sampling, laboratory testing, and process troubleshooting. Ability to follow environmental permits, operating procedures, SDS requirements, and regulatory requirements. Strong communication, documentation, organizational, and computer skills.

Required Certifications & Training: Current wastewater operator certification, industrial pretreatment credential, or other certification required by the facility permit and applicable Indiana requirements, or ability to obtain the required credential within the company-established timeframe. Required safety training, including chemical safety, Hazard Communication, LOTO, spill response, emergency procedures, and PPE.Valid driver's license if required for assigned duties.

Preferred Qualifications: Associate degree or technical coursework in wastewater treatment, environmental science, chemistry, industrial technology, maintenance, or a related field. Experience with industrial metals treatment, zinc analysis, environmental reporting, maintenance systems, or root-cause/corrective-action processes. Experience working in a continuous manufacturing environment.

Physical & Work Environment: Work is performed in an industrial wastewater treatment environment with potential exposure to chemicals, wet surfaces, odors, noise, temperature changes, moving equipment, and outdoor conditions. The position requires standing, walking, climbing stairs/ladders, bending, reaching, using hand tools, and lifting or moving up to 50 pounds with assistance when required. Required PPE and procedures apply, including those for chemical handling, respirators, confined spaces, and fall protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable law.

Job Description: Disclaimer This description outlines the general nature of the position and is not intended to include every duty or qualification. MSC may modify responsibilities based on operational, regulatory, organizational, or business needs.