Senior Operations Specialist; Water

Senior Operations Specialist – HDR

At HDR, we are a team of employee‑owners dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. We foster a culture of inclusion and empowerment.

For over 100 years, HDR has specialized in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. Our Water Business Group has over 2,000 employee owners, and we are ranked in the top 10 of Water Design, Water Treatment and Desalination, and Wastewater Design firms.

• Support HDR project leaders at the local, state, and regional level on water treatment projects requiring input from Operations Specialists.
• Review drawings for operability review and Haz Ops analysis with an eye for what it takes to successfully operate a variety of treatment processes.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with both municipal and industrial clients, involving client interfacing, regulatory reporting, and personnel, subcontractor, and maintenance management.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans and host workshops to share those ideas with client’s contractors and operators to ensure the plan will work for each specific plant.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new water treatment facilities, working alongside contractors and engineers to ensure the new equipment functions correctly before handing it over to the operations and maintenance staff.
• Perform formal and informal training to help our clients’ treatment plants operate at their best.
• Participate in the testing of facilities to ensure they are ready for startup and after startup they meet the capacity requirements of the design.
• Perform condition assessment and asset management tasks on water and wastewater facilities, using state‑of‑the‑art evaluation tools to efficiently capture the information and observations you generate.
• Perform operational or maintenance troubleshooting and evaluations on municipal and industrial water facilities.

This role may require 30–40 % travel, with weekend travel normally not required. The primary location is Virginia, Vienna, with additional assignments across the United States.

• Minimum 10 years of field experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at water treatment facilities and/or resolving water treatment process problems. Additional construction experience is a plus.
• High‑level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Microsoft Office product and computerized maintenance and management systems experience required.
• Commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.
• Valid driver’s license.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Microsoft Office product experience.
• General background‑related experience.
• Commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other’s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust, and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups foster a sense of belonging and a supportive environment for everyone.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range is $71,960 – $128,500 depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographic location. (Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions;

temporary and part‑time roles eligible for limited benefits.)

Industry: Water.

Schedule:

Full‑time. Employee status:
Regular.

Dec 31, 2025. At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.