What is the role of a water treatment operator?
Water treatment operators play a vital role in the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants, where they are responsible for ensuring the effective treatment and safe disposal of wastewater. By removing harmful pathogens and pollutants from the water, they make it safe to release back into the environment or reuse for other purposes.
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Senior Principal Engineer - Water Treatment Process
Location: Phoenix
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Research & Development
Experience: 5 years
In this role you will join our client's Water Management Solutions Team as a senior technical leader driving sustainable water strategies across global mining operations. This key role focuses on innovative solutions to reduce freshwater use, increase water reuse and recycling, and support environmental stewardship through advanced water treatment technologies. Key Responsibilities:* Lead the development and review of advanced engineering deliverables, including process models, mass balances, and treatment system designs.* Serve as a subject matter expert for large-scale industrial water treatment projects, guiding process design, equipment selection, and operational optimization.* Collaborate with mine sites and project teams to align treatment solutions with business and sustainability goals.* Advise on pilot testing, applied research, and data interpretation to inform engineering decisions.* Contribute to innovation and continuous improvement by participating in industry forums and internal knowledge sharing.* Manage budgets for consulting, vendor support, and design services, supporting long-term planning and execution.
Principal Engineer II - Water Treatment Process Design
Location: Phoenix
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Research & Development
Experience: 5 years
Shape the Future of Sustainable Water Use in MiningJoin our mining client as a senior leader on their Water Management Solutions team. In this role, you'll spearhead innovative strategies to reduce freshwater use, enhance recycling and recovery, and support clean, sustainable mining operations around the globe.What You'll Do:* Lead the development and review of complex water treatment designs, including process models, mass balances, and technical documentation.* Serve as a subject matter expert for large-scale water treatment projects and system troubleshooting.* Guide internal teams on selecting cost-effective water treatment technologies and equipment.* Align engineering strategies with site-level goals and collaborate with cross-functional leaders.* Support applied research and testing for process design and innovation.* Represent our client at industry events and help drive continuous improvement.* Manage project planning, consulting budgets, and vendor services.Preferred Requirements:* MBA or financial evaluation experience* Professional Engineer (PE) license* Background in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering* Hands-on experience in mining, hydrometallurgy, or industrial water systems* Strong project management skills including cost estimation and scheduling* Fluency in Spanish or Bahasa Indonesian
Final Trim & Scraper Operators
Location: Brisbane
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 0 years
Brunel is seeking skilled Final Trim Operators and Scraper Operators for an immediate start on a major mining project in Weipa, QLD. FIFO from Brisbane or Cairns on a 2/1 roster. Final Trim Operators: Precision work with Dozer, Graders and excavators to achieve perfect surface tolerances Scraper Operators: Bulk earthmoving with motor scrapers for efficient cut/fill operations Dayshifts only Long-term contract Paid FIFO from Brisbane and Cairns
Production Operator
Location: Perth
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 4 years
As part of the Production Operator Team, your responsibilities will include: Operate a range of heavy mobile equipment in a safe and efficient manner to support mining operations. Work within a production team to ensure daily targets and productivity metrics are met. Conduct pre-start inspections and report faults or safety concerns immediately. Maintain a strong commitment to safety and follow Rio Tinto's HSE standards and procedures. Communicate effectively with supervisors, dispatch, and maintenance teams to ensure efficient operations. Accurately complete daily production records and documentation. Maintain housekeeping of machines and work areas.
Manager - Water Management Solutions
Location: Phoenix
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Research & Development
Experience: 5 years
In this role you will work to provide strategic planning, definition, implementation in supporting operations with projects that will achieve short, medium and long-term goals in Water Management Solutions. These projects will focus on reducing dependency on fresh water by enhancing water reuse and recycling and reducing environmental impacts. You will collaborate with subject matter experts across multiple platforms to select, scope and seek financial approval on opportunities for treatment improvements.Duties include:* Lead strategic planning and hands-on execution of water management projects to meet short-, mid-, and long-term goals, leveraging data from subject matter experts and site operators to identify and prioritize water reuse, treatment, and conservation opportunities.* Scope and oversee projects-or collaborate with project managers-to design, plan, and construct new water systems or optimize existing ones, ensuring strong operational involvement, effective change management, and reliable performance.* Support the implementation of new solutions and troubleshoot existing systems, driving performance improvements, standardization, and documentation of best practices.* Mentor and guide multidisciplinary engineering teams, acting as the internal expert for water solutions and engaging with external specialists and vendors to drive innovation and best-in-class practices.* Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to align practical, fit-for-purpose solutions; deliver project updates to sponsors and external partners.* Build strong business cases, incorporating lifecycle and operational cost analysis; lead funding approval processes and secure stakeholder buy-in.* Stay ahead of emerging technologies and innovations to improve water efficiency, recovery, and safety performance.* Contribute to strategic plans and manage budgets related to engineering services, consulting, and vendor contracts.* Support additional responsibilities as assigned.Why Join?* Purpose with impact - cut fresh water draw, capture value from "waste" streams, and set new ESG benchmarks for one of the largest copper portfolios on the planet.* Resources & runway - lead large-scale innovation budget with executive backing.* Career scale - global projects, complex problems, visible results.Ready to engineer water solutions that matter? Let's talk.
Deep Water Installation Engineer - Structures and tie-ins
Location: Milan
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Quality Management
Experience: 5 years
Oversee installation engineering for subsea structures (e.g., manifolds, UTAs, SDUs) and tie-ins (e.g., umbilicals, rigid jumpers) within a dynamic EPCI scope. Ensure safe, timely, and budget-friendly delivery of all project elements adhering to stringent quality standards. Coordinate interface management between contractors and stakeholders to mitigate risks and resolve issues effectively. Monitor marine spread readiness and ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental policies. Contribute to engineering workstreams, monitoring key milestones during preparation, installation, and execution phases.
Production Operator
Location: Dubbo
Branche: Life Sciences
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 2 years
You will be working in one of four different verticals within the business (conditioning, processing, warehousing and yard operations) with the ability to learn and grow within the business. Seed and grain processing Quality Control Equipment operation and maintenance Prepare and apply seed treatments Bag and present finished products Monitor seed quality and collect samples for quality testing Operate forklift Manage stock using Inventory Management System (including scanners)
Crane Operator
Location: West Bank Demerara
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Transport & Logistics
Experience: 0 years
We are seeking a Certified Crane Operator to safely operate heavy lift equipment, including cranes with capacities of up to 200 tons, at their oil and gas port facility. The ideal candidate will have experience with heavy lifting operations in industrial or marine environments, a strong commitment to safety, and a valid crane operator certification. Key Responsibilities: Operate mobile, crawler, or fixed cranes (up to 200 tons) to lift, move, and position heavy materials and equipment on site. Perform daily inspections and routine maintenance of the crane to ensure safe and efficient operation. Follow lift plans, load charts, and instructions from the lifting supervisor or signal person. Participate in the setup and dismantling of crane equipment as needed. Coordinate lifts with riggers, signalers, and ground crew to ensure safe operations. Adhere strictly to all safety regulations, site policies, and lifting procedures, including compliance with hot work and heavy lift permits. Maintain accurate records of lifts, inspections, and any incidents or maintenance performed. Ensure that all lifting activities comply with relevant local laws, international safety standards, and company procedures. Assist with other yard and facility operations when not engaged in lifting activities.
Production Operator
Location: Eastern Ontario
Branche: Food Production
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 2 years
Responsibilities Operate and monitor food processing equipment such as extraction systems, evaporators, spray dryers, and packaging machinery. Set up, adjust, and troubleshoot machinery and equipment to support efficient production runs. Perform general maintenance and repairs, resolving mechanical issues to minimize downtime. Monitor and control processing conditions (temperatures, pressures, flow rates, etc.) to ensure consistency and product quality. Conduct regular quality checks on raw materials, in-process product, and finished goods to meet specifications. Maintain accurate records of production, maintenance, machine settings, and inventory. Follow strict hygiene, workplace safety, food safety, and environmental protocols. Collaborate with production, maintenance, and quality assurance teams to troubleshoot and improve processes. Support waste management processes and ensure compliance with environmental and food safety standards. Stay updated on industry best practices, regulations, and equipment requirements.
DCS Operator
Location: Bangalore
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 3 years
Position: DCS Operator.Contract: On Contract Role. Operate DCS console to regulate process variables and manage within operating window with knowledge of IOW and DOW.Work 24/7 shift schedule and perform shift handover/takeover using ESP procedures and maintain accurate shift logs.Collaborate effectively with colleagues and team members to ensure safe and continuous operations.Coordinate leave planning within the team to avoid shift coverage gaps and ensure the control room is never left unmanned.Support team morale and operational discipline through transparent communication and mutual accountability.Prepare and monitor safety overrides and ensure completion of associated tasks.Analyze processing schedules, test results, and technology recommendations to adjust controls.Instruct field operators and adjust process variables (flows, levels, temperatures, pressures).Record and report operating data; prepare shift reports as per ESP documentation.Coordinate start-up, shutdown (normal/emergency) and abnormal operations with field staff.Perform basic calculations for process parameters and material balances.Prepare for maintenance activities: energy isolation, P&ID markup, PJL.Use systems like RAMS, Fit4, MTO, PTW,SPHERA and basic office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BIMaintenance of operational registers: override, LOTO, PTW, valve status, MOC overdue, alarms.Monitoring of F&G system and Emergency response coordination.Safe isolation, decontamination & handover of utilities/systems.Permit issuer responsibility and single point focal for safety-related activities in shift.
What do water treatment operators do?
Water treatment operators are entrusted with overseeing the entire treatment process, which involves the removal of contaminants, pollutants, and harmful substances from wastewater. They skillfully operate and adjust a range of treatment equipment, such as pumps, valves, filters, and chemical dosing systems, to facilitate efficient purification. As part of their responsibilities, they routinely collect samples of incoming wastewater and treated water to conduct rigorous water quality analyses. Through the use of specialized testing equipment, they assess pollutant levels, bacterial content, and other harmful components to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and the safety of the water for discharge or reuse.
Water treatment operators proactively conduct regular maintenance on treatment equipment to ensure its optimal functioning. They perform inspections, clean components, and promptly repair or replace parts whenever necessary to prevent operational disruptions. Constant monitoring of the plant's processes, gauges, meters, and computer systems is integral to their role, as it allows them to promptly detect any irregularities or malfunctions. Should any issues arise, they quickly troubleshoot and take corrective actions to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment process.
Maintaining accurate records is crucial in water treatment operations. Water treatment operators diligently log operational data, water quality readings, maintenance activities, and any incidents or adjustments made during their shifts. These records are essential for regulatory compliance and process optimization. Water treatment operators must adhere to strict environmental and safety regulations to protect public health and the environment, and they consistently stay updated on the latest regulations, implementing necessary measures to maintain compliance.
What are the required skills for a water treatment operator?
Water treatment operators need to possess a unique set of skills, particularly strong problem-solving abilities. These skills are essential for diagnosing and addressing challenges in the treatment process, with a focus on minimizing environmental impacts.
Attention to detail is also critical for conducting precise tests, monitoring data, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Effective communication skills are necessary for coordinating with interdisciplinary teams and reporting on treatment process efficiency and outcomes.
Where do water treatment operators work?
Water treatment operators can find employment opportunities working with local governments, water treatment plants, or utility companies specializing in water treatment.
Common water treatment operator responsibilities
Operate and maintain water treatment systems;
Utilize eco-friendly cleaning and treatment substances to purify water with minimal environmental impact within the plant's systems;
Collect and analyze water samples using standard testing equipment to assess water quality and treatment efficiency;
Implement sustainable practices for the reuse and recycling of treated water;
Adjust equipment controls to effectively purify and process water while disposing of waste appropriately;
Conduct regular inspections of machinery and monitor operating conditions, gauges, and meters to ensure efficient operations and identify potential malfunctions;
Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and implement corrective actions promptly;
Maintain comprehensive records of plant and equipment operational data, including meter and gauge readings, and adhere to a scheduled maintenance plan to prevent system breakdowns;
Skillfully repair and maintain plant equipment using a variety of hand tools and power tools to ensure optimal functioning;
Collaborate with management and interdisciplinary teams to identify best practices, equipment upgrades, and other operational strategies aimed at promoting environmentally friendly and cost-effective impacts of the water treatment facility;
Ensure compliance with all necessary environmental regulations.
Qualifications for water treatment operators
To become a water treatment operator, candidates should possess a high school diploma or equivalent. An Associate or Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, chemical or biological sciences, math, or a related field is advantageous.
Other essential qualifications include:
- 1-3+ years of experience in water treatment or related fields, preferably in the context of renewable energy;
- Proficiency in handling advanced computerized systems commonly used in water treatment facilities;
- Demonstrated expertise in mechanical and electrical troubleshooting;
- Problem-solving skills with a focus on minimizing environmental impacts;
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities;
- Attention to detail and record-keeping skills;
- Physical stamina to handle the demands of the job in diverse environmental conditions;
- A commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.