What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Operator position at Waggoner Engineering?
Department: Water/Wastewater
Location: Monroe, LA
Waggoner Engineering, Inc. is seeking a Lead Operator to join our team in Monroe, LA. This role supports our continued growth and offers the opportunity to work on (or support) meaningful projects alongside a collaborative, experienced team. You’ll have the chance to build your career while contributing to impactful solutions across the communities we serve.
The Lead Operator serves as the on-site process authority and Operator in Responsible Charge for the Meta RPL IWTP, directing daily operation of the six groundwater production wells, pressure sand filtration, reverse osmosis treatment, disinfection, industrial water storage, and high-service pumping and conveyance. Owns process control decisions, regulatory and permit compliance, shift coordination, and the facility readiness to transition from standby to full production on demand while sustaining 99.9 percent uptime and the one-hour emergency response standard.
Key Responsibilities
- Directs daily process operation across the wellfield, pressure sand filters, reverse osmosis trains, disinfection, storage, and pumping to deliver up to 24,000 gallons per minute of cooling water on demand at required quality.
- Serves as Operator in Responsible Charge; makes and documents process control decisions on well sequencing, RO recovery and flux, chemical dosing, and disinfection residual, and determines the corrective action when instrument readings or laboratory results indicate an abnormal or out-of-limit condition.
- Owns execution of the Standby-Readiness Program and weather-watch protocol, confirming wells, RO trains, pumps, and backup paths are proven ready before peak demand rather than during it.
- Leads execution of the Unit Process Control Procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, and Sampling and Analysis Plan; reviews and approves shift logs and confirms required documentation is complete.
- Owns regulatory and permit compliance for the facility, including monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping; investigates and resolves instances of non-compliance and coordinates with regulatory agencies as needed.
- Assigns and coordinates the daily activities of the resident operating team; leads shift turnover and communicates significant conditions to the Project Manager and Meta-designated contacts.
- Directs response to process upsets and emergencies within operating authority; coordinates isolation, notification, and recovery with maintenance, EHS, and Meta site personnel.
- Reviews SCADA status, alarms, and process trends; drives alarm rationalization and continuous improvement of process performance and chemical and energy efficiency.
- Coordinates planned work with Meta and other contractors performing simultaneous operations before equipment is isolated or process conditions are modified.
- Leads the documented 24 hour, 7 day on-call standby rotation supporting the one-hour emergency response requirement, tested monthly by live call-out.
- Directs and coordinates the day-to-day activities of the resident operating team, including senior operators, operators, and seasonal operations staff assigned to the facility.
- High school diploma or GED; applicable college coursework or degree preferred.
- Minimum five years of water treatment operating experience, including direct experience operating reverse osmosis or other membrane treatment and groundwater production systems.
- Minimum two years of supervisory or lead responsibility.
- Working knowledge of RO normalization, recovery, and clean-in-place chemistry; pressure media filtration; chemical feed of sodium hypochlorite and antiscalant; and wellfield operation.
- Skill in SCADA operation, online instrumentation, and process trending; ability to calibrate and use field instruments including pH, chlorine or ORP, conductivity, and flow measurement.
- Ability to read and interpret regulatory requirements, permits, O&M manuals, drawings, and procedures, and to train operating staff in technical and non-technical duties.
- Thorough knowledge of safety requirements with the ability and willingness to enforce them.
Holds a valid Louisiana Department of Health Class IV certification in Water Treatment and Water Production and serves as Operator in Responsible Charge for the facility. Maintains the continuing education hours required each two-year cycle. Valid driver license required; operates a Waggoner-provided vehicle for site and wellfield travel.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Positions self to and moves about the plant, wellfield, and pump areas; stands for extended periods; bends, stoops, and climbs stairs, ladders, and platforms; and uses hands to handle, feel, and reach. Regularly moves items weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally moves items weighing up to 50 pounds, using mechanical lifting aids for heavier loads. Requires close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed at the Meta RPL IWTP and across its six groundwater production wells, pressure sand filtration, reverse osmosis treatment trains, chemical feed and storage areas, disinfection systems, industrial water storage tanks, high-service pumping, and conveyance piping. The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, pressurized piping and vessels, and treatment chemicals including sodium hypochlorite, antiscalant, and clean-in-place acids and caustics. Work occurs indoors and outdoors under North Louisiana weather, including extreme heat and severe weather, and may occur before sunrise or after sunset. Noise levels near pumps, blowers, and process equipment can be high. The role coordinates with Meta site personnel and other contractors performing simultaneous operations.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Regularly uses and wears safety glasses, hard hat, hearing protection, chemical-resistant and cut-resistant gloves, lockout/tagout locks, and steel-toed boots. Additional personal protective equipment may include a face shield or chemical splash goggles, chemical-resistant clothing, fall protection, and respiratory protection consistent with the site Health and Safety Plan and Meta safety requirements. This is a safety-sensitive and security-sensitive position requiring site badging and access control.
Why Join Our Team
We know work isn't only about what you do, it's also about who you work for and with! Waggoner Engineering provides a fun, family-friendly, and multicultural work environment that supports a work life balance, including:
- WEI Incentive Program
- Healthy Workplace Program
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Competitive Health Benefits
- Career Development and Training
- Flexible/Hybrid Schedule
- Community Service Opportunities
Pay Transparency
The base salary range for this role is indicated in the posting. This range reflects the company’s good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location.