Wastewater Operative

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent 39 hours per week, Monday - Friday

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 escalated 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 control.
• Maintain awareness of discharge/emission limits, spill containment and the potential environmental impact of treatment activities.
• Stop work and escalated 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.

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 qualification.
• Forklift truck licence or relevant materials-handling certification.
• COSHH/chemical handling and spill-response training.
• Confined-space training where applicable to site duties.
• Relevant first-aid or environmental-awareness training.

Desired Experience:

• Operation or support of industrial wastewater, effluent, water-treatment or deionised-water systems.
• Experience in a regulated manufacturing or other process-driven environment.
• Routine water/effluent sampling, laboratory or field testing and use of calibrated monitoring equipment.
• Working knowledge of pumps, tanks, valves, filters, dosing systems, instrumentation and process alarms.
• Environmental monitoring, pollution prevention, containment or abatement activities.
• Use of electronic shift reports, maintenance systems or environmental monitoring systems.

Desired Skills:

• Methodical and safety-conscious approach to plant operation and chemical handling.
• Strong observation and basic fault-finding skills, with the judgement to escal….
• Accurate record keeping and ability to interpret routine process trends and test results.
• Clear written and verbal communication and effective shift handover.
• Ability to prioritise operational tasks and meet routine compliance deadlines.
• Continuous-improvement mindset with practical awareness of reliability, efficiency and cost.

We’re proud to offer a great range of benefits including:

• 24/7 GP: Both you and your immediate family can speak to a UK-based GP from the comfort of your own home
• Mental Health support and Life Event Counseling
• Get Fit Programme
• Financial and legal support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access Perks at Work, our innovative employee app where you can find:

• Perks: discounts, gift cards, cashback, and exclusive offers
• Life: Search for resources and tools on topics ranging from family and life to health, money and work
• Support: Online chat or telephone service for urgent support in a crisis

For more information about ABM’s benefits, visit our

About ABM:

ABM (NYSE: ABM) is one of the world’s largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. Every day, over 100,000 team members deliver essential services that make spaces cleaner, safer, and