Wastewater Treatment Operator

About Alano and the role

Alano Water develops and operates water and wastewater infrastructure across South Australia, with a growing program of essential service projects.

We seek an experienced, qualified operator to assess treatment performance, resolve problems and operate plants and network assets across regional sites. You will also provide practical direction to field staff.

Reporting to the Operations Engineer, you will coordinate operating priorities and process adjustments, and provide daily updates on performance, KPIs and issues requiring attention.

Key responsibilities

• Inspect and operate wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, rising mains and wastewater networks; monitor irrigation reuse systems.
• Interpret plant observations, test results, alarms and SCADA trends; identify the adjustments needed to maintain performance.
• Adjust aeration, pumping, dosing and other process settings within approved operating limits, then verify and record the result.
• Diagnose mechanical and process faults involving pumps, aerators, blowers, valves and dosing equipment; arrange specialist trades when required.
• Coordinate field activities, support colleagues and follow maintenance and corrective actions through to completion.
• Complete accurate sampling, inspection, maintenance and compliance records, and provide useful daily operating reports.
• Apply Alano's Safety Reliability, Maintenance and Technical Management Plan (SRMTMP), approved operating procedures, site license conditions and relevant industry standards in your work.

Essential qualifications and capability

• Completed Certificate III in Water Industry Operations (Wastewater Treatment), NWP30222, or a verified equivalent predecessor qualification with relevant wastewater treatment competencies.
• Demonstrated experience operating wastewater treatment plants and assessing biological treatment performance, with the judgement to adjust processes and recognise when technical support is needed.
• A sound understanding of wastewater collection and pumping systems, and practical mechanical aptitude with pumps, aeration and chemical dosing equipment.
• Confidence using SCADA, operating trends, field instruments and test results to investigate problems.
• Strong attention to compliance, accurate documentation and timely reporting, including digital inspection and maintenance records.
• The ability to work independently, communicate clearly, cooperate with others and give practical direction to a field team.
• A current driver’s license and availability for regular travel between South Australian sites.

Useful additional experience

Experience with instrumentation or a mechanical trade would be valuable. An industrial electrical background is welcome but is not essential.

How we expect you to work

We place a high value on initiative, complete honesty and reliable follow-through. Notice the problem, investigate it, involve the right people and resolve what you can within your competence and authority. Then tell us what happened, what you did and anything still requiring a decision. Escalate urgent risks and matters needing approval promptly, with a practical recommendation where possible.

Organise your work, act on agreed priorities without repeated prompting and follow tasks through. Respond constructively to direct, respectful feedback and adapt when priorities change. Share information, support colleagues and own mistakes. These are essential selection criteria, and we will ask for examples.

Working with us

We set clear expectations and give capable people room to do their work, with guidance and technical support from the Operations Engineer. You will contribute to significant water infrastructure projects.

Regular country travel includes the Adelaide Hills, Copper Coast, Clare Valley and Riverland. Travel is generally expected to be completed as day trips; overnight stays are not normally anticipated. The work base, hours, vehicle and any call-out arrangements will be discussed during recruitment.