Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician

Woodard & Curran is a national engineering, science and operations firm with a simple vision for clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities and happy people. As an employee-owned company, we strive to cultivate teams that encourage collaboration in an inclusive culture. We seek talented individuals from all backgrounds to help us address a broad range of water and environmental issues. We prioritize our people, offering opportunities for professional growth, ownership and flexibility. This commitment enables us to make a meaningful impact on our clients, communities and the planet.

Woodard & Curran draws on the experience of hundreds of certified operators across the country, backed by the knowledge and skills of hundreds more engineers, scientists, and regulatory experts, to quickly tackle the most challenging operational issues and keep treatment plants running efficiently and in full compliance. Woodard & Curran also aids employees in earning, upgrading, and keeping their certifications within the industry.

What will you be doing at Woodard & Curran?

In this role, you will participate in the daily operations and maintenance of the Water Treatment Plant facility (wells, pump, motors, etc.).as directed by the Project Manager.

Come be a part of a team that operates a water treatment plant that was built in 1941 by the US Army in Defiance, Missouri. This plant has been in operation for over 85 years and is still performing as it was designed. We are designed to treat 22 million gallons a day, however currently we are averaging about 10 million a day. There is going to be a lot of new equipment to learn the preventive maintenance on since a new capital project is starting now to add a new clarifier and replace the current three, we currently have. Our influent source is ground water from an alluvial aquifer and nine alluvial wells that serve the water plant. Our treatment consists of lime softening, disinfecting with sodium hypochlorite and secondary disinfection with aqua ammonia and addition of fluoride for dental health. We have been 100% four log compliance for years to provide high quality drinking water for our client and their customers. Each day does require the operator technician to monitor the daily treatment process and make sure that all the equipment is performing to the best of its ability to ensure the treatment process is of the highest quality. If you are interested in conservation and making sure through lab tests and process controls that the water treated complies with Missouri Department of Natural Resources standards, then this is the place for you.

Woodard & Curran is dedicated to our employees' growth and development and wants to help you on your career path.

The Defiance, MO water treatment plant staff is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant, the wells and the buildings and grounds. This full-time position is responsible for the plant operations at the water treatment plant and its related facilities. This position participates in the daily operations and maintenance of the Water Treatment Plant facility (wells, pump, motors, etc.) as directed by the Project Manager. This position will be required to respond to emergency or unpredictable situations. This does include shift work; this is a second shift position.

Schedule:

The schedule for this position is 5:00 pm - 5:00 am rotating days and weekends. Currently there is not an on-call rotation. You will be required to respond to emergencies or unpredictable situations.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Monitors plant operations to ensure adherence to all State and Federal regulations.
• Collects and analyzes samples from the water treatment plant processes per the Standard Methods procedures.
• Performs minor repair and maintenance to plant and equipment.
• Responds to emergency situations as required or in accordance with emergency operations plan.
• Maintains and keeps current State operator's license.
• Maintains stock of chemicals used.
• Performs all work in compliance with established safety standards.
• You can wear a respirator or PAPR.

What will you need to succeed?

• Missouri Water treatment plant operator's license preferred.
• A valid Missouri motor vehicle operator's license.
• Working knowledge of the principles, procedures, methods, equipment, materials, and tools employed in the operation' and maintenance of Water Treatment Plant facility.
• Thorough knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions involved in water treatment work.
• Knowledge of computer applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check, pre-placement physical and drug screen before employment.

$27 - $29 an hour

Depending on qualifications and experience.

Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR)

As part of our commitment to a fair and respectful workplace, Woodard & Curran uses a Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR) to help resolve most employment-related concerns efficiently and consistently.

What this means:

• MDR applies to both you and the Company
• Most workplace-related disputes are resolved through binding arbitration, rather than court proceedings
• Certain exceptions are outlined in the full agreement

If you are offered a position with Woodard & Curran, you will be asked to review and sign the MDR as part of your offer packet.

Review the full agreement here: Mutual Dispute Resolution Agreement

Employee Support & Benefits

Retirement Savings:

• 401(k) Pre-tax or Roth Contributions: The company matches 100% of the first 3% of salary contributed

Time away from work:

• Observed holidays: Choose up to 8 holidays to observe annually
• Vacation: Accrued based on years of experience and calculated on hours worked
• Sick time: Paid sick time for non-work-related illness or injury.
• Parental leave: Up to 80 hours of Paid Parental Leave for child bonding

Coverage and support for your needs and well-being:

• Disability: Paid short- and long-term disability
• Health: Medical plan options; plus dental and vision plans.
• Life: Basic employee group life insurance and AD&D benefits; additional voluntary life insurance for employees and families is available through Sun Life.
• Wellbeing: DarioMind assistance program combined with personalized mental health and wellbeing resources.

Workplace Information

E-Verify Participation

Woodard & Curran participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. As part of this process, we display the required Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters.

View required Right to Work and E-Verify posters here.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility

Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non-discrimination and make employment decisions based on job-related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

View our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

View the "Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster

Inclusion & Belonging

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and believe diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to serve clients and communities.

As an employee-owned company, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment where employees can grow, contribute fully, and deliver meaningful impact.

Recruitment Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Submissions without a signed agreement in place will be considered unsolicited and not eligible for referral fees.

Text Message Communication Notice:

To support an efficient hiring process, we may send brief SMS updates or reminders. You may opt out at any time by replying "STOP."

Terms, Privacy & Use of AI in Hiring

Woodard & Curran Terms of Use

Woodard & Curran Privacy Statement

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the hiring process (e.g., application review or resume screening). These tools assist our team but do not replace human decision-making. All final hiring decisions are made by people.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.