Wastewater Operative in Belfast

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Position Type: Full-time, 39 hours per week, Monday - Friday (3 month Contract)

Salary: £32,887.90 (per annum)

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.

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 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 escalate issues beyond competence. 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.

Benefits:

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: 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.