Process Operator in Cambridge

Process Operator - (Industrial Wastewater Treatment Project)

The Process Operator will be responsible for the safe, compliant and efficient day-to-day operation of the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at Histon. The primary purpose of the role is to ensure the plant remains capable of treating process effluent from the manufacturing site and consistently operates within the required trade effluent discharge conditions.

The ETP includes dissolved air flotation (DAF) and high-rate anaerobic digestion. The role combines plant operation, process monitoring, routine laboratory analysis, accurate data recording, first-line fault identification, housekeeping, alarm response and continuous improvement. The Process Operator will work closely with the Area Operations Manager and will have access to Aqua Operations technical, HSEQ and maintenance support.

The post holder will also participate in the site's out-of-hours/on-call arrangements, using remote monitoring and telemetry where available and attending site when required to safely restore or maintain plant operation.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate the ETP safely and effectively in accordance with Aqua Operations procedures, site rules, operating instructions and agreed process limits.
• Complete routine plant rounds and inspections, checking process conditions and the operational status of pumps, blowers, valves, dosing systems, DAF equipment, anaerobic treatment systems and associated plant.
• Monitor flows, levels, pressures, temperatures, chemical dosing rates and other relevant process parameters and take appropriate operational action within agreed limits.
• Monitor the quality and variability of incoming process effluent and identify changes in manufacturing conditions that could affect ETP performance.
• Undertake routine sampling and laboratory analysis required to monitor process performance and compliance, ensuring results are accurately recorded and escalated where necessary.
• Recognise deteriorating or abnormal process conditions at an early stage and work with the Area Operations Manager and technical support team to stabilise and optimise the treatment process.
• Respond promptly to plant alarms, abnormal operating conditions and potential compliance risks, including remote assessment and site attendance when required as part of the on-call rota.
• Record call-outs, including the reason for attendance, arrival time, actions undertaken and outcome, to support trend analysis and elimination of repeat issues.
• Maintain accurate daily operational records, plant logs, laboratory results, chemical usage records, alarm records and other site documentation.
• Report actual or potential environmental compliance breaches, safety issues, equipment defects and operational risks immediately through the agreed escalation process.
• Monitor treatment chemical, laboratory consumable and operational material stocks, identify requirements in sufficient time and support deliveries and stock control.
• Monitor sludge and screenings generation and support the coordination and recording of removal activities where required.
• Carry out operator-level asset care and basic routine maintenance activities where trained, competent and authorised, and identify faults requiring mechanical, electrical or specialist support.
• Use the CMMS and digital reporting systems where implemented to record defects, inspections, maintenance requirements and operational information.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping across the ETP, laboratory, control areas and chemical storage areas.
• Comply with all Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality requirements, including risk assessments, safe systems of work, COSHH controls, permit requirements and use of appropriate PPE.
• Support incident investigations, root-cause analysis, emergency planning and business continuity exercises as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve process performance, reliability, chemical use, energy efficiency, waste generation and operating cost, and support agreed optimisation trials and projects.
• Communicate effectively with Client personnel and Aqua Operations colleagues, providing clear operational handovers and contributing to daily operational communications and KPI reporting.
• Undertake other reasonable duties associated with the safe and compliant operation of the ETP as directed by the Area Operations Manager.

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

Essential:

• Practical experience in a process, utilities, industrial, water, wastewater or similar operational environment.
• Strong commitment to safe working and the ability to follow site procedures, risk controls and safe systems of work.
• Ability to complete routine sampling and laboratory testing accurately and to recognise results or trends that require investigation or escalation.
• Good practical and mechanical awareness, with the ability to identify abnormal equipment condition and first-line operational faults.
• Ability to interpret operating data, trends, alarms and plant information and make sound operational decisions within defined limits.
• Competent use of computers and digital systems for data entry, reporting and operational records.
• Good communication and teamwork skills, with the confidence to work independently and escalation issues appropriately.
• Reliable and organised approach to record keeping, housekeeping and completion of routine tasks.
• Willingness and ability to participate in an out-of-hours/on-call rota and attend site when required.

Desirable:

• Previous experience operating industrial effluent or wastewater treatment plants, particularly within the food and beverage sector.
• Experience of dissolved air flotation (DAF), anaerobic digestion or high-rate anaerobic treatment processes.
• Knowledge of trade effluent compliance and wastewater process control.
• Experience using SCADA/HMI, telemetry or remote monitoring systems.
• Experience of CMMS systems and operator asset-care or planned maintenance routines.
• Relevant wastewater, process operations, mechanical or electrical qualification or vocational training.
• Training or awareness in COSHH, confined spaces, DSEAR/ATEX and permit-to-work systems.

About Us:

Glanua is an industry leader in providing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions to design, build, operate and maintain critical water and wastewater infrastructure across Ireland and the UK. We are a trusted provider to the municipal and industrial sector where our clients include Ireland and the UK’s largest water utilities, Uisce Éireann (formally Irish Water), Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Affinity Water.

Glanua is passionate about solving today’s environmental challenges and delivering a decarbonised and sustainable world. We know that to build successful creative teams we need a diverse workforce that can deliver new innovative ways of thinking. We provide an environment where you will have the freedom to develop and grow to your full potential. We champion our core values and uphold the highest standards of Safety and Well-being, Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, Agility, Accountability, Diversity and Inclusion in everything we do.

We have a talented team of 800 people across Ireland, UK and the Portugal and are rapidly expanding our workforce across several disciplines to meet our ambitious growth plans.

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