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Operator in Charge

Cambrian Innovation

Cambrian Innovation

Almena, WI, USA
Posted on Apr 9, 2026

JOB SUMMARY

The OIC (Operator in Charge) will physically operate and maintain Cambrian’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as manage the Field Service Representatives of the site. The OIC will support commissioning and execute operations to maintain compliance with water quality and will support the sales team by assisting with facility tours. In addition, the ideal candidate will be expected to routinely communicate with customers and the Operations Manager to ensure smooth operations. The position will proactively track and respond to issues related to system operation and maintenance while working across the company’s departments to ensure the site is operating to design specifications, that the client is responded to promptly and operational issues in the field are addressed in a timely fashion.

The individual should be knowledgeable on wastewater treatment standard practices. The ideal candidate will bring an understanding of EPA and other State regulatory compliance, plant operations, controls, and lab sampling standards. Additionally, the candidate must be capable of working with a team of interdisciplinary engineers, vendors, contractors, and subcontractors while maintaining both the best interests of the company and clients who choose to partner with Cambrian for their unique water treatment needs. This position may require some travel to installations across the United States to support our various sites.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

These are the key items that employees are accountable for. They represent the outcomes and goals that the employee is expected to achieve.

  • Lead the team of FSRs, creating a strong culture of safety and operational excellence.
  • Operate, monitor, and optimize equipment and treatment performance
  • Ensure operational contract compliance with volume and quality specifications
  • Maintain inventory of spare parts and adequate supply of chemicals and replacement parts
  • Ensure contract compliance with volume and quality specifications
  • Maintain a high level of cleanliness, organization, and housekeeping practices
  • Work to ensure the full treatment system and all ancillary equipment operate to meet design specifications
  • Maintain and develop understanding and performance of analytical testing and monitoring of COD, MLSS, sludge age/solids retention time, COD/BOD removal efficiency, flow, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, hardness, chlorine, pH, O2, SDI, TOC, in addition to various other site-specific testing requirements
  • Analyze data for evaluating system performance trends, disruptions, and site compliance
  • Review and advise on P&IDs, PFDs, Installation Details, O&M Manuals, Design Standards, Engineering
  • Records and Preventative Maintenance Procedures for future Cambrian facilities
  • Work collaboratively with Safety Team to ensure safe operations at all sites, including OSHA compliance
  • Monitor, maintain, and calibrate chemical injection systems, pumps, valves, field equipment and instruments
  • Chemical cleaning of equipment processes
  • Carry out mechanical, electrical and controls troubleshooting on equipment such as valves, air compressors, ejectors, process pumps, blowers, and instrumentation
  • Create and maintain site paperwork, and provide customers with detailed technical summaries of work performed
  • Consult with customer management and operation teams
  • Utilize Ignition and Allen-Bradley controls to run the system, often needing to remote in and respond to alarms outside of regular hours
  • Routinely participate in communication with the client across all sites to ensure the adequate flow of data and information for optimization of site performance and monthly operations
  • Assist in the development, implementation, and revision of Operational protocols for new and existing sites
  • Training and continuing education as needed

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS (Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience)

The following are the minimum job requirements for this position.

  • Minimum 5 years of progressive operations experience of industrial or municipal water or wastewater treatment facilities
  • High School Diploma / GED / Home School Certification or international equivalent required; Degree in Science/Engineering (STEM) or technical certificate preferred.
  • Knowledge and operations experience of digestor systems, State of WI Class I or II wastewater licensing including subclass P- phosphorus nutrient removal, A1- suspended growth processes, A5- anaerobic treatment, or B- solids separation, C- biological sludge handling
  • Ability to work independently in the field as a representative of the company while managing competing priorities
  • Operation and optimization of WWTPs, preferably in the food and beverage or water and wastewater industry
  • Experience reading P&IDs and PFDs
  • Solid understanding of MBR and RO unit maintenance and operation
  • Prior experience using Ignition, Siemens, Allen-Bradley or similar automation
  • Basic understanding of industrial electrical and instrumentation design
  • Extensive experience with operations of package/skidded equipment, process equipment, process controls and instrumentation, and general best practices in wastewater treatment
  • Extensive experience with laboratory equipment, water quality testing and data collection
  • Licensed Wastewater Treatment plant Operator in the state of Wisconsin or working on one
  • Self-motivated, decisive, with the ability to adapt to change and competing demands
  • Strong motivational skills in an environment of working alone, and safely, is common
  • Hands-on experience maintaining, and operating Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Facilities
  • Stellar organizational skills along with the ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally
  • Live within 30 minutes of the desired location