Senior Operations Specialist; Water

Senior Operations Specialist (Water)

Apply now to join HDR
, a leading engineering and environmental services firm with over a century of experience and a strong culture of employee ownership.

At HDR, we create a welcoming environment where each employee is valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. We constantly ask how our work impacts the world, and we believe water is more than a resource – it’s a shared responsibility.

• Support HDR project leaders at the local, state, and regional level on water treatment projects requiring Ops Specialist input.
• Review drawings for operability review and Haz Ops analysis with a focus on successful operation of diverse treatment processes.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with municipal and industrial clients, including client interfacing, regulatory reporting, and personnel/subcontractor management.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans; host workshops to share these plans with client contractors and operators.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new water treatment facilities, ensuring equipment functions correctly before hand‑over.
• Provide formal and informal training to help clients’ treatment plants operate optimally.
• Participate in facility testing to verify readiness for startup and post‑startup capacity compliance.
• Conduct condition assessments and asset management tasks using advanced evaluation tools.
• Perform operational or maintenance troubleshooting and evaluations across municipal and industrial water facilities.

• Minimum 10 years field experience in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and process problems at water treatment facilities; 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 being an active participant in an employee‑owned culture.
• Valid driver’s license.

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

Competitive salary range: $71,960 – $128,500 (dependent on skills, experience, education, and location). Full‑time regular positions include medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time off, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. Temporary and part‑time roles have limited benefits.

Location:

Vienna, VA. Engagements may require 30–40% travel across the United States; weekend travel is normally not required.

Job Posting:
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.