Treatment System Operator/Environmental Technician

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AECOM is currently seeking an experienced Environmental Technician/Treatment System Operator for employment in Richmond, VA. In this full-time role as an AECOM Field Services (AFS) employee, you will primarily work with the Site Manager to support remedial operations, maintenance, and monitoring projects at client facilities.

The successful candidate will ideally have experience in general operations and environmental remediation/sampling. Hands-on mechanical experience and interests are preferred (e.g., construction, pump maintenance, pipe assembly, and instrumentation calibrations). The successful candidate will be part of a team operating a groundwater extraction and treatment system. The groundwater extraction and treatment system is designed to capture groundwater, remove organic chemicals by treatment on-site, and discharge the treated water. The process starts with the collection of the groundwater utilizing extraction wells. The water is then transferred to a central treatment system. Treatment by precipitation, settling, particulate filtration, and granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration takes place prior to effluent discharge.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Routine fieldwork (such as environmental multi-media sampling, operations, maintenance, and inspection of groundwater treatment equipment) working under close supervision and at times alone.
• Sampling groundwater Influent and Effluent from groundwater treatment systems primarily for volatile organic compounds. Preparing chains-of-custody and sample cooler loading in preparation for transport to contracted analytical laboratories.
• Performing various operations and maintenance activities associated with remediation systems involving extraction of organics, performing recovery system maintenance as needed, groundwater monitoring, and compilation of field data.
• Assisting with calculations, setting up and operating equipment (sampling devices and pumps), inspecting equipment and installations for compliance with specifications and maintaining proper project documentation.
• Driving AECOM-leased site vehicles.
• Control treatment plant machines and equipment to treat water for industrial use: Operates and controls electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow of raw water into treating plant.
• Monitor that specified amounts of chemicals are being supplied as required such as polymer into water or adjusts automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into tanks to treat the water.
• Operate valves to regulate water through filter beds to remove impurities.
• Monitor the pumping of treated water through the effluent / outfall.
• Monitors panelboard and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates, loss of head pressure and water elevation, and distribution of water.
• Cleans tanks and filter beds, using backwashing.
• Repairs and lubricates machines and equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
• Tests water samples to determine acidity, color, and impurities, using colorimeter, turbidimeter, and conductivity meter.
• Operate centrifuge as required to process solids.
• Participate in amending / developing procedures (as needed) for the operation of the treatment facility.
• Adhere to the site’s General Site Conditions.
• Adhering to the plant’s O&M, Waste Management and Health and Safety Plan
• Oversee contractors as directed.
• Capable of functioning with spreadsheet, word processing and standard office software.

Minimum Requirements

• Must possess a High School Diploma (or GED).
• Must have 2+ years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency.
• Must pass a State and Federal criminal history/security pre-employment background check; many projects/ clients are security sensitive and require periodic post-employment background checks.
• Ability to pass a client-mandated drug test.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Ability to travel to various client sites locations using a AECOM provided Vehicle to conduct fieldwork, including but not limited to environmental sampling, operations and maintenance and inspections.
• Physically able, with or without an accommodation, to work in outdoor environments with uneven terrain, variable outdoor conditions including heat, cold, moisture, chemicals, and noise.
• Position requires frequent (more than 50% of workday) standing/walking; often (25-50% of workday) performing power gripping/squeezing (hand tools, levers, etc.), operation of vehicles, performing repetitive or fine hand movements, and lifting of less than 25 pounds; occasionally (10-25% of workday) performing work with arms above shoulder level, repetitive bending & stooping, working at heights, climbing stairs, using portable ladders, work in an environment of heavy, moving, dangerous equipment, work in confined spaces, keyboard/mouse operations, work alone in isolated/remote areas, and lifting of 25-50 pounds; rarely (less than 10% of workday) wearing fall protection, and lifting of 50-75 pounds.
• Position will include wearing associated personal protective equipment, including, but not limited to gloves, safety glasses/goggles, safety shoes/boots, hard hat, hearing protection, respiratory and fall protection equipment.
• Participate in and successfully complete post-offer, pre-employment baseline physical in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120. Thereafter, candidate must also comply with OSHA (29 CFR 1910.120) requirements including 40hr/8 hr, medical surveillance.
• Flexibility on work hours is a must. Project consists of working a rotating shift. One week on day shift (7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday) followed by two weeks on second shift (2:00 pm to 10:30 pm, Monday through Friday). This includes periodically working weekends if there is a need.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical aptitude and hands-on skills to operate groundwater treatment equipment.
• Experience with various media sampling (soil, groundwater, and waste).
• Experience with health and safety programs, and effective communication skills (verbal, field notes, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.).
• Advanced or current 8-hr. refresher OSHA 1910.120 40-hour training (training can be provided).
• Confined Space trained (training can be provided).

• US citizenship required.
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position
• In order to receive a security badge at the client worksite for which you are being hired to perform services, you will be required to pass the client's background, medical and drug screening requirements, which will be done after you have commenced employment and is a condition of your continued employment.

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About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absence, voluntary benefits, perks, U.S. and global well-being programs, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.