Water Quality Sampling Intern Jobs in Rhode Island

Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.

Position Purpose:

Administers the implementation of the City Sewer Use Ordinances to regulate the discharge of industrial wastewater into the City sewer system, which may require the industry to pre-treat their wastewater before discharging to the City sewer. The IP Coordinator administers the Industrial Pretreatment Program and supervises the Industrial Pretreatment Technicians (if applicable). Schedules and manages the compliance inspections and sampling of industrial users (IU). Manages the efficient operation of the laboratory and lab work including physical, bacteriological, microscopic, organic and inorganic chemical analysis of raw, plant and finished waters to accurately determine their content and assure compliance with company, regulatory and permit requirements. Prepares Monthly/Quarterly/Annual IP Reports to clients and regulatory agencies (state/EPA). Prepares industrial wastewater discharge permits. Prepares IU enforcement actions for implementation by the City. Evaluates testing and inspection data for compliance. Attends IP Audits conducted by regulatory agencies. Supervises the maintenance of IU records and monitoring data. Keeps abreast of regulatory changes and interprets local, state, and federal regulations and implements the regulatory requirements.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Perform all activities of the IP Technician, including the set up of equipment and instrumentation required for tests, research, or process control following QA procedures.
• Manages the Laboratory Quality Assurance Program. Ensures that consistent quality control and lab procedures are followed.
• The candidate will be responsible for preparing wastewater samples and completing the chain of custody documentation for the contract laboratory regarding compliance testing.
• Measures and verifies laboratory performance and ensures the integrity of the data presented to management.
• Clean and make minor repairs on sampling apparatus and equipment and ensure a high standard of housekeeping, quality control and safety. Calibrates instrumentation as assigned.
• Collect industrial discharge samples for field and laboratory analysis.
• Review, Interpret, and Apply local, state and federal regulations applicable to the industrial pretreatment program.
• Schedules Significant and Non-significant Industrial User compliance testing and inspections.
• Reviews sampling and inspection protocols with IP Technicians and assists IP Technicians in the SIU Records review prior to conducting an industrial facility inspection or sampling event.
• Prepares Industrial User Discharge Permits (new user and permit renewals); established Discharge Limits; Best Management Practices and Slug Discharge Requirements.
• Meets with industrial users prior to issuance of permit and responds to all user comments and questions. Distributes the permit issued by the City and prepares the industrial user files.
• Coordinates Industrial User Enforcement Actions with IP Technicians and City Representatives and Attorneys. Prepares the Industrial User Enforcement Documents. Distributes the City signed Enforcement Orders.
• Reports non-conformance events to Project Manager, Lab QA Coordinator and EHS&S QA Manager. Initiates corrective action immediately to avoid adverse effects on quality.
• Establishes standards for sample collection and analyses to determine compliance. Coordinates the analysis and reporting of Proficiency Testing Samples.
• Prepares Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for sample collection and field analysis. Industrial facility inspection protocols and compliance evaluation of monitoring data.
• Responds to and documents any necessary corrective action.
• Prepares all regulatory, client requested, and company requested reports and data documentation. Specifically, the preparation of the State/EPA Annual Industrial Pretreatment Status Report.
• Interacts with industry managers to resolve compliance and implementation of the industrial wastewater discharge permits.
• Assists in the preparation and adoption of upgrades to the Industrial Pretreatment Program and Local Regulations.
• Conducts industrial user compliance reviews for determination of significant non-compliance status; compliance to enforcement orders and tracking of accomplishments and reporting under compliance orders issued by the City.
• Review of current technologies, protocols, regulations and proposed regulations that impact pretreatment program.
• Provide Training to IP Technicians and schedule out-side training for IP Staff. Review IP Technician performance.
• Assists in planning and implementation of special projects as needed.

Work Environment:

• Spends 50% of time in an office or wastewater treatment plant environment.
• Typically spends 20% of time exposed to outdoor and sometimes inclement weather.
• Spends approximately 30% of time in various industrial production facilities or commercial businesses.
• Company service vehicle use is required.
• Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, airborne particles, and noise, rotating machinery, auto-start machinery, high pressure, hot and cold temperatures, slippery surfaces, water and electrical hazards, and traffic hazards. Frequently exposed to toxic and caustic chemicals, sanitary wastewater and industrial wastewater.

Education/Experience/Background:

• Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in chemistry, biology, environmental science or a closely related field.
• Preferred qualifying experience may include wastewater operator training/experience and or laboratory training/experience.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to read and interpret City Ordinances, Discharge Permits, State and Federal Codes, Technical Manuals and Journals. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamental mathematics. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to grasp mechanical and chemical industrial concepts and processes. Ability to deal with non-verbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc) in more difficult phases. Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Ability to develop proficiency with sophisticated laboratory apparatus and equipment and ability to calibrate instrumentation. Ability to perform accurate, repeatable work, to correlate data, make logical analysis and interpret laboratory reports and industrial compliance reports.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software Microsoft Word, Excel spreadsheets, email communications. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and documentation of evidence gathered through facility inspections. Demonstrated ability to effectively present information and to tactfully respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, industrial facility managers and the general public.
• Ability to adhere to Company policies and procedures and demonstrates proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.)
• Must present a professional attitude and appearance at all times. Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record if performing field work.

Physical Requirements:

• Amount of time spent – Standing 30%, Sitting 45%, Walking 25%.
• Requires close visual and hearing observation.
• Constantly uses hands to finger, handle or feel and frequently reaches with hands and arms.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds distances of 10 feet.
• Occasional stooping, bending or kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, balancing and entering confined spaces.
• Close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus are special requirements.

Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.