Plant Operations Specialist; Water Treatment

Job Description

Our mining-sector client has expanded BQE services at our Patagonia, AZ location, creating two new roles for talented Operations Specialists to offer technical engineering advice and supervisory experience at our Water Treatment Plant. The ideal base is Arizona, Tucson, or Patagonia, but the role will involve travel; relocation package available for discussion. While the role is well suited to an engineer—particularly those with a Chemical or Process Engineering background—applications from anyone with significant plant‑based supervisory experience and strong interpersonal skills are encouraged, especially if you have worked in water treatment previously.

• Day‑to‑day operations assistance, including coordination of activities and provision of technical expertise – learn the processes, analyze operational data and laboratory results.
• Maintain strong working relationships with site management and personnel.
• Support the training of on‑site operators.
• Identify requirements for all water treatment plant operations, including maintenance, safety, and operational improvements.
• Report on water treatment plant performance to site management.
• Provide leadership advice on environmental compliance.
• Help the operations team meet plant performance goals, reporting on performance to clients and the Vancouver, Canada head office.
• Support our technology development group by reconciling process data, reagent consumption and plant utilization.
• Learn and maintain process automation for the treatment plant, gaining expertise in unit operations such as hydraulic conveying, solid‑liquid separation, gas‑liquid mass transfer, chemical reactors, ion exchange and electro‑reduction for transfer to the client/end users.
• Build effective relationships within the Company, customers, and suppliers.
• Maintain the operating manual and plant standard operating procedures.
• Provide engineering support for operations—design and implementation of plant upgrades, tracking the Management of Change process.
• Assist during commissioning of new facilities as part of the team.

The role will require travel to sites in rotations. Site trips are expected to be 12‑hour days, with rotation durations varying by site. 24/7 coverage is required, so occasional night shifts will be incorporated into shift patterns.

• 5+ years of experience, including work at a mine site, water treatment plant, industrial water treatment plant, and/or a project with an operations component.
• Familiarity with reverse osmosis (RO), ion exchange (IX), and/or electrowinning/electro‑reduction.
• Substantial process plant operating experience and/or a degree in chemical engineering, hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, or mechanical engineering.
• Hands‑on plant operations experience is essential.
• Can‑do attitude – you find a way to make it work and get it done.
• Strong mechanical aptitude – you have built things and can figure out how things work.
• Understanding of the fundamental principles of aqueous inorganic chemistry.
• Willing to get involved – you’ll regularly put on a pair of coveralls for plant floor operations.
• Comfortable supervising, guiding and informing operators and other plant representatives, demonstrating proven communication skills – you get your message across clearly and with confidence.

• Competitive base salary.
• Travel and expense reimbursements.
• Comprehensive health coverage with two plan choices.
• Company‑funded industry safety certifications.
• Up to $1,000 per year in education matching funds upon 1 year of service.

$90,000.00 – $ per year