Wastewater Operative

About this role

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position Type: Full-time, 39 hours per week, Monday - Friday (3 month Contract)
Salary: £32,887.90 (per annum)
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Job Overview:
ABM is one of the world’s largest providers of integrated facility services. A driving force for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world, ABM provides essential services across a wide range of industries – from commercial office buildings to airports, hospitals, data centres, manufacturing plants and distribution centres, and more.
ABM’s Purpose: To take care of people, spaces and places that are important to you. ABM’s Vision: To be the clear choice in the industries we serve through engaged people. ABM’s Mission: To make a difference, every person, every day.
Key Responsibilities:
Plant Operation & Process Control
· Operate and monitor effluent/wastewater treatment plant in accordance with site procedures, work instructions and defined operating parameters.
· Carry out routine plant checks, record process readings, tank levels and chemical stock levels, and identify abnormal trends or conditions.
· Maintain deionised water systems within the required quality specification, including plant checks and regeneration activities where trained and authorised.
· Support controlled chemical additions and production requirements only where safe, authorised and within environmental/process limits.
· Respond to alarms and operating issues within competence; place plant in a safe condition and escalate when further technical support is required.
Sampling, Monitoring & Compliance
· Collect representative water and effluent samples and complete routine laboratory/field testing in accordance with approved methods.
· Clean, inspect and calibrate probes/meters at the required frequency and record calibration results.
· Monitor treatment performance against applicable site limits, consent/permit requirements and client specifications.
· Report out-of-specification results immediately and support investigation, corrective action and repeat sampling as directed.
· Maintain clear, traceable records of results, actions and handovers.
Chemical Management & Housekeeping
· Receive, store, transfer and handle treatment chemicals safely using approved equipment, PPE and manual-handling aids.
· Maintain chemical storage areas, laboratories and plant rooms in a clean, secure and compliant condition.
· Monitor chemical usage and stock levels, highlighting shortages or unusual consumption before they affect operations.
· Ensure containers are correctly labelled, segregated and stored in accordance with site procedures and COSHH controls.
· Support spill prevention and containment arrangements and report any loss of containment immediately.
Maintenance & Fault Response
· Carry out routine operator care, cleaning and minor first-line tasks within training, competence and authorisation.
· Identify and report plant, pump, valve, instrument, dosing or containment defects through the agreed maintenance/helpdesk process.
· Provide clear fault information, process readings and safe access support to maintenance teams and approved contractors.
· Do not bypass safeguards or undertake maintenance outside competence; isolate/secure equipment where required by site procedure.
· Verify plant condition following intervention and update the Wastewater Manager on outstanding risks or restrictions.
· Comply with all site safety rules, RAMS, COSHH assessments, permits, PPE/RPE requirements and relevant environmental controls.
· Maintain awareness of discharge/emission limits, spill containment and the potential environmental impact of treatment activities.
· Stop work and escalate unsafe conditions, environmental risks or process conditions outside authorised limits.
· Support site emergency arrangements for spills, plant failure, loss of containment or other wastewater-related incidents as trained.
· Participate in safety briefings, toolbox talks, inspections and investigations and implement agreed actions.
Reporting, Teamwork & Continuous Improvement
· Provide a clear daily handover/update to the Wastewater Manager covering plant status, issues, actions, outstanding risks and chemical stocks.
· Complete shift reports and other daily, weekly or monthly records required for contract and client reporting.
· Work cooperatively with wastewater colleagues, production teams, engineering teams, contractors and client representatives.
· Support process trials, sampling exercises and improvement activities under the direction of the Wastewater Manager or competent technical lead.
· Identify practical opportunities to improve safety, reliability, environmental performance, efficiency and cost control.
· Work flexibly across the Belfast sites containing wastewater facilities using company vehicles where authorised.

Requirements

Essential Criteria

· Relevant Level 3 technical qualification in water/wastewater treatment, environmental operations, science or engineering, or demonstrable equivalent experience in process-plant operation.

· Practical understanding of safe plant operation, chemical handling and the need to work to procedures, RAMS and COSHH controls.

· Good numeracy and attention to detail, with the ability to record process readings and identify abnormal conditions.

· IT literate, with the ability to use standard Microsoft applications and electronic reporting/maintenance systems.

· Able to communicate clearly, work independently when required and contribute effectively as part of a team.

· Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between Belfast sites where required.

Desired Qualifications / Training

· Additional qualification in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Engineering, Water Treatment or a related discipline.

· NEBOSH, IOSH or other relevant health and safety…