Senior Operations Specialist; Water

Senior Operations Specialist (Water) – HDR

Join HDR as a Senior Operations Specialist in our Water Business Group. HDR is committed to creating a welcoming environment where each employee‑owner is valued and respected, empowering everyone to bring authentic selves and novel ideas to work. We ask ourselves: "What is our impact on the world?" and you will help shape how communities manage water for generations to come.

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As a member of HDR’s East Region and nationwide Operations Team, you will support municipal and industrial water treatment facilities across the United States. You will work on projects ranging from small municipalities to iconic sites, helping clients achieve reliable and efficient operation of water treatment infrastructure.

• Support HDR project leaders at local, state, and regional levels on water treatment projects requiring operational input.
• Review drawings for operability and Haz Ops analysis focusing on successful operation of diverse treatment processes.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with municipal and industrial clients, including client interfacing, regulatory reporting, and coordination of personnel, subcontractors, and maintenance.
• Develop start‑up and commissioning plans, host workshops with contractors and operators to ensure plant readiness.
• Perform start‑up and commissioning of new treatment facilities, working alongside contractors and engineers to validate equipment performance.
• Conduct formal and informal training to allow clients to operate treatment plants optimally.
• Participate in testing of facilities to ensure startup readiness and capacity compliance.
• Perform condition assessment and asset management tasks using state‑of‑the‑art evaluation tools.
• Execute operational or maintenance troubleshooting and evaluations on municipal and industrial facilities.

Work will involve a base of projects in the southern portion of the central United States, but also include sites across the country. Travel may be required 30‑40% (and more is possible); weekend travel is normally not required.

• Minimum 10 years field experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, or instrumentation equipment at water treatment facilities, and/or resolving treatment process problems. Construction experience is a plus.
• High‑level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Commitment to active participation in HDR’s employee‑owned culture.
• Valid driver’s license.

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

For more than 100 years, HDR has specialized in engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services. We provide solutions to partners ranging from small local utilities to the largest global corporations. HDR has nearly 13,000 employee owners worldwide and is ranked in the top 10 of Water design firms, Water Treatment and Desalination, and Wastewater design firms.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package including 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. Compensation for this position ranges from $71,960 to $128,500, depending on skills, experience, education, and location.

Virginia, Vienna

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…