Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III at Columbia Helicopters, Inc. – Aurora, Oregon

For over 65 years, Columbia Helicopters have been a trusted provider of heavy-lift helicopter services. We create new aircraft, fly heavy-lift helicopters around the world, and provide maintenance support to ensure you are mission-ready for critical operations. If you are passionate about aviation, join our Columbia Family!

Columbia Helicopters is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III to operate, maintain, and continuously improve our onsite wastewater treatment plant, drain fields, and associated pump station(s). This role is essential to keeping our manufacturing and MRO operations running safely and in compliance with regulatory requirements. You will own daily plant operations, sampling and testing, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and required reporting, while also supporting broader Safety initiatives (approximately 30 percent of the position).

• Operate and maintain the wastewater treatment plant, drain fields, and associated pump station(s) in compliance with regulatory agency requirements.
• Collect, test, and evaluate wastewater samples for chemical, physical, and biological characteristics in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements, supporting optimal plant efficiency.
• Monitor performance of equipment, gauges, pumps, valves, and control systems, and respond to alarms and operational issues with sound problem-solving.
• Perform operational maintenance and repairs on wastewater treatment systems and pump stations using safe work practices and regulatory guidance.
• Use computerized control systems to monitor and control treatment plant processes, equipment, and instrumentation activities.
• Chart lab results for trend analysis and maintain accurate records of test results; evaluate data and write reports as required.
• Prepare and submit Monthly DMRs and an annual discharge summary report for internal review prior to submission to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
• Calibrate, modify, or repair instrumentation and control equipment (recorders, flowmeters, and other monitoring equipment).
• Coordinate with vendors to support preventative maintenance scheduling for control equipment and calibrated gauges.
• Contain and facilitate disposal of hazardous wastes generated by the plant.
• Support other Safety efforts (approximately 30 percent of the position) under direct and indirect supervision of the HSE Supervisor.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Grade III Wastewater System Operator Certificate (required).
• Grade II Wastewater Collection System Certificate (required).
• Valid Oregon driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within the first 30 days of employment.
• At least two years of industrial maintenance experience, including safe troubleshooting and diagnosis of basic electrical and mechanical systems.
• Basic understanding of Environmental Safety.
• Ability to interpret and apply technical reports and regulatory rules.
• Ability to perform process control calculations and handle critical emergency situations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently, seek out work, and recommend projects.
• Must meet International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements as a U.S. Person.

• Experience performing operator maintenance on wastewater treatment systems.

This is a hands-on plant operations role within the Safety department, supporting a single onsite wastewater treatment plant that serves Columbia Helicopters’ manufacturing and MRO operations. The work involves a mix of monitoring, sampling/testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, vendor coordination, and reporting.

• Visible operational impact: ownership of a critical onsite system that supports production and MRO continuity.
• Regulatory depth: hands-on responsibility for sampling, trend analysis, and required reporting (Monthly DMRs and annual discharge summary).
• Broad safety exposure: meaningful support of additional Safety efforts (about 30 percent of the position).

If you are a certified wastewater operator who enjoys hands-on troubleshooting, data-driven plant optimization, and compliance-focused operations, we encourage you to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)