Senior Operations Specialist; Water

Senior Operations Specialist (Water) – Join HDR to help manage and improve water treatment facilities across the United States.

At HDR, employee‑owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. We foster a culture of inclusion and continuous learning, asking ourselves what impact we have on the world.

We believe water is more than a resource – it is a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you will shape how communities manage water for generations to come, delivering safe drinking water, treating wastewater responsibly, and protecting lives and property through flood control.

For over 100 years, HDR has specialized in engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services. We provide solutions to thousands of partners, from small local utilities to the largest global companies. Our Water Business Group has over 2,000 employee owners, with over 500 in the Eastern Region.

• 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, focusing on what it takes to successfully operate a variety of treatment processes.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with municipal and industrial clients, including client interfacing, regulatory reporting, and personnel, subcontractor, and maintenance management.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans and host workshops to share those ideas with client contractors and operators to ensure the plan works for each specific plant.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new water treatment facilities, working alongside contractors and engineers to ensure new equipment functions correctly before handover.
• Provide formal and informal training to help clients’ treatment plants operate at optimal performance.
• Participate in testing of facilities to ensure readiness for startup and that post‑startup capacity meets design requirements.
• Conduct condition assessment and asset management tasks using advanced evaluation tools.
• Execute operational, maintenance troubleshooting, and evaluations on municipal and industrial water facilities.

Projects are located in the southern portion of the central United States, with additional sites across the country. The role may require 30‑40% travel; weekend travel is normally not required.

• Minimum 10 years field experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, or resolving water treatment process problems; construction experience a plus.
• High‑level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Commitment to participating in an employee‑owned culture.
• Valid driver´s license.

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Microsoft Office experience.
• General background‑related experience.
• Commitment to an employee‑owned culture.

HDR is built on collective experience and perspectives, creating a collaborative culture that encourages trust and connection with clients and communities.

As employee owners, we all play a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, retirement savings with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement.

United States – Virginia – Vienna

United States – West Virginia, Ohio – Cincinnati, North Carolina – Charlotte, Georgia, New York – East Syracuse, Florida – Doral, Alabama – Mobile, Florida – Fort Lauderdale, Pennsylvania – Bethlehem, North Carolina – Wilmington, Tennessee – Nashville, Florida – Panama City, New Jersey – Newark, Maine, Ohio, Florida, District of Columbia – Washington DC, Maryland – Lusby, New York – White Plains, Florida – Tallahassee, Mississippi – Jackson area, South Carolina – Charleston, Virginia – Roanoke, New York – Albany, South Carolina – Columbia, Delaware, New York, Florida – Orlando, Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, and many others across the United States.

Industry: Water |

Schedule:

Full‑time | Employee Status:
Regular | Job Posting:
December 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.