About this role
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.
- 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.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- 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.