PurposeEnergy is revolutionizing the way food and beverage processors treat organic waste. Our mission is to capture the millions of tons of wasted organic residuals flowing from industrial manufacturing and retail grocery operations, and convert them into valuable renewable energy, clean water, and healthy soil amendments. PurposeEnergy’s waste stream solutions feature the innovative and patented Tribrid-Bioreactor™ – the most robust anaerobic digester available for treating many complex food and beverage wastes. The Tribrid-Bioreactor™ eliminates the cost of disposing waste and produces significant quantities of renewable energy.

Join PurposeEnergy, on a mission to save the planet! Our work has a global impact addressing resource depletion and climate change by generating energy from waste. Working in sustainability allows you to contribute to solutions that have far-reaching implications for the environment and future generations. This multidisciplinary field encompasses aspects of science, technology, policy, economics, and social sciences, allowing for diverse career paths and the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from various backgrounds. Become a part of our passionate team of industry experts!

About the role

We are seeking a full-time Wastewater Operator, Grade II Industrial, to work on-site base out of our S. Burlington location with required travel to all three of our brewery effluent digester facilities located in S. Burlington, VT, Shelburne, VT, and Middlebury, VT. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for performing duties and making process decisions to manage the quality of treated effluent at our industrial food and beverage anaerobic digester pretreatment facilities. This role requires the ability to monitor, troubleshoot, and diagnose plant processing pumps, piping, tanks, and equipment. The Wastewater Operator must be able to collaborate and communicate with various people including plant operators, outside vendors, and managers.

This is a Monday through Friday role with flexible hours and may require some on-call or weekend hours when the Weekend Operator is off. 

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. 

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor all parameters and performance of plant and equipment, including hydraulic flows, temperatures, pH, COD, VFA, pressures, and renewable power generation.
• Conduct compliance audits, safety inspections, provide routine reporting and upload results in required tracking system.
• Optimize facility throughput, including feedstock volume, effluent volume, and renewable energy production.
• Inventory control of consumables, such as chemicals, reagents, and spare parts utilizing CMMS.
• Oversee the biological process, feedstock receiving, hydraulic pumping, chemical feed systems, filtration systems, phosphorus sequestration, dewatered solids removal, and biogas utilization system.
• Ensure compliance with state and local wastewater permits, air quality permits, and solid waste permits.
• Maintain VT State Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator License and continuing education.

Qualifications

• Current Vermont Grade II Industrial Wastewater Treatment Operator certificate (or higher), preferred.
• Three years of relevant experience as an operator, in RNG, construction, and/or in industrial maintenance.
• Familiarity with mechanical and electrical systems and/or ability to assist/work on pumps, piping, electric motors, generators, instruments, and basic building maintenance.
• Experience with the use of PLC’s, controls, and instruments (pressure, temperature, flow, pH).
• Basic computer skills including spreadsheets, email, PDF’s, document downloading, ordering, cost reporting, & timesheets.
• Experience coordinating and working with welders, plumbers, electricians, insulators, and startup technicians, preferred.
• Experience using a CMMS – FIIX experience, preferred.
• Valid driver’s license
• Reliable transportation.

Physical Requirements

• You will be required to support work at facilities, both indoor and outdoor, throughout the year. You will be required to perform work standing, bending, climbing, lifting up to 75 lbs., working overhead, on the ground, on ladders, on tanks, and in pits.
• A preemployment mobility performance evaluation exam is required.

Travel

• This role is based in our S. Burlington, VT facility, but will require travel to facilities located in Shelburne, VT, Middlebury, VT, and future location in St. Alban, VT. 

Compensation and Benefits

• $25 - $33 / hr. depending on relevant experience
• Eligible for bonus plan
• Eligible for company equity program
• Eligible for the company’s healthcare, dental, and vision plan 
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Reimbursement for work-related travel expenses

PurposeEnergy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.