Director - Wastewater Process Engineer

I. Job Summary

The Director, Wastewater Process Engineer leads the development and implementation of enterprise-wide initiatives focused on landfill liquids management and treatment, supporting the strategic objectives of the Engineering Science & Wastewater Treatment (ES&WT) Program. Reporting to the Sr. Director of ES&WT, this role is responsible for establishing, enhancing, and overseeing policies, procedures, systems, and best practices related to the management, treatment, and disposal of landfill-derived liquids across all company facilities.

 

This role monitors emerging regulatory requirements and industry developments, translating insights into strategic and operational plans that strengthen environmental compliance and business performance. This position provides technical leadership for complex projects across the organization, develops innovative treatment solutions, and collaborates with internal and external subject matter experts on technology research and development initiatives.

 

Working closely with Corporate and Area leadership, the Director drives the adoption of effective wastewater management practices, ensures alignment with environmental standards, and supports continuous improvement in landfill liquids treatment operations throughout the organization.

 

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Other minor duties may be assigned. 

 

• Plans, directs, and coordinates activities of internal and external staff involved in directing research, procedures, best management practices, equipment, and techniques to provide environmental solutions to the corpora­tion’s management, treatment, and disposal of landfill liquids.  More specifically:

1. Assist with establishing policy, procedures, training and guidance on engineering and environmental compliance (in compliance with the environmental protection department) for the corporation and is responsible for implementing programs in connection with landfill liquids handling, treatment and disposal.  More specifically:

• Treatment of contaminant laden semi-liquid, liquid, and gaseous waste from our facilities using biological, chemical and separation technologies such as centrifuges, presses, filters, and flotation devices related to leachate and landfill gas. 

1. Provides leadership and technical support in permitting, design and construction of leachate treatment facilities, as well as due diligence during acquisition for waste management assets.
2. Uses process engineering tools such as flow and mass balances to trouble shoot and develop action plans to improve performance of leachate treatment facilities to ensure compliance with discharge permits.
3. Directs development initiatives leachate and groundwater treatment technology to improve operational efficiency and enhance environmentally sound solutions. 
4. Serves as technical resource and interacts daily with program management to Corporate and Field Personnel in the following disciplines: Engineering Science, Wastewater Treatment Technology using Biological and Chemical Treatment and New Environmental Technologies, Bioremediation, and Environmental Compliance.

• Balances the financial goals of the enterprise with the external regulations and applied environmental solutions. 
• Directs the development of internal policies, procedures and practices dealing with environmental management based on the best available scientific evidence and judgment.
• Conducts independent research on the organization's environmental problems to establish a basis for program changes and improvement in liquids management and treatment. 
• Keeps abreast of pending regulatory development through reference sources. Obtains insights on legislative agendas at both the Federal and State levels (focus is on the state level). 

• Confers with local and state regulatory agencies to address and help resolve national/local environmental quality standards, industrial practices, and new developments in wastewater treatment.

   

III.  Supervisory Responsibilities

A high level of supervisory skills required in this job is the management of managerial employees.  This includes:

 

• Direct supervision of outside consultants and research scientists that are engaged in addressing new technologies, solutions to existing environmental challenges or new services offerings.

 

IV. Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications necessary to perform the job. Must live and work in the US.

Position is remote, but the individual must reside in, or be willing to relocate to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, or Wisconsin. 

 

A.  Education and Experience

Required: Bachelor of Science Degree, including Engineering, Environmental Management, Biology, Chemistry or similar area of study. 

At least 10 year’s of overall experience required with 7+ years of industrial wastewater treatment design and operations.  

Preferred: Master’s Degree of Science, in Engineering, Environmental Management, Biology, Chemistry or similar area of study, and 10+ years of industrial wastewater treatment design and operations experience. 3+ years of management responsibility preferred. 

 

B. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations or Other Requirements

Certifications and/or PE license preferred but not required.

 

C. Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required

Specific experience in the area of environmental engineering and environmental solutions specializing in the handling, treatment, and disposal of landfill liquids the resulting from operation of all our facilities. 

 

• Wastewater treatment process modeling of biological and physical/chemical unit operations and/or systems using flow and mass balance calculations
• Capable of utilizing Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Power BI,  and advanced statistical/data analysis software.
• An enthusiastic, dedicated, self-disciplined and self-reliant person capable of being decisive with the best available scientific evidence and judgment.
• An ability to clearly articulate (both verbally and written) in a professional manner to fellow employees as well as multi-disciplinary group of internal and external technical experts.
• Capable of multi-tasking on a wide range of activities in an ever-changing setting.
• Role model and enable development of competencies in others needed to implement WM’s strategy
• Establish and support a safety culture in which all accidents are preventable

 

V.  Work Environment

Listed below are key points regarding environmental demands and work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Required to use motor coordination with finger dexterity (such as keyboarding, machine operation, etc) most of the work day;
• Required to exert physical effort in handling objects more than 30 pounds rarely;
• Required to be exposed to physical occupational risks (such as cuts, burns, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc) rarely;
• Required to be exposed to physical environment which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements occasionally;
• Setting for this job is a home office or field setting. 
• Normal travel for this job is 25-30%, as needed based on projects.

 

‌Pay: The expected base pay range for this position across the U.S. is $130,000 - $176,100. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific salary offered to a successful candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s relevant experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location.

Benefits
At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short Term Disability. As well as a Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K, and more! Our employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.