Process Controller at ERWAT - Ekurhuleni Water Care Company

Job Purpose 

• Responsible for the 24-hour operation of wastewater treatment plants or treatment modules to ensure discharge or effluent and disposal of sludge according to License conditions. 

Key responsibilities 

Operational Management Effectiveness

• Ensure that al solutions of chemicals are handled safely according to standard operating procedures and that the dosing are performed efficiently and cost effectively in accordance with compliance and performance of all modules/plants.
• Ensure that equipment used at inlet works to remove grit and rags from wastewater stream perform effectively according to operating manuals and SOP's.
• Ensure control of aeration, internal recirculation and wasting by means of operating parameters such as sludge age, internal recycles and dissolved oxygen levels for optimal nutrient removal on all modules or plants as per SOP's
• Prepare schedules for and control frequency and duration of sludge draw off from various modules (primary sedimentation tanks, thickeners, humus tanks, DAF, digesters and reactors) as per SOP's.
• Monitor and ensure performance of digesters (Heating and mixing), belt-press and DAF units on all modules/plants as per SOP's.
• Ensure that decanting of supernatant from digesters and drying beds to reduce the volume of sludge for disposal to acceptable levels are performed.
• Evaluate all processes and equipment of modules or plants and take corrective action where needed as per SOP's.
• Prepare schedules for disposal, removal of dried sludge or compost from sludge lands or drying beds on the plants as per SOP's.
• Coordinate and record all process changes of modules or plants. 

Financial Effectiveness 

• Assist with controlling variable costs through optimization and efficient operation of all modules.
• Assist in identifying financial deviation of the approved budget, which might occur as a result of plant operation anomalies.

Quality Effectiveness

• Document and implement contingency plans according to the Incident Management Protocol for situations such as high inflows, flooding, power failures, industrial spillages or equipment failures to prevent pollution or damage to equipment or harm to any person
• Maintain quality control management
• Coordinate sampling and liaise with laboratory to perform ad hoc sampling when required.
• Interpret lab results to identify trends and adjust processes pro-
• Adjust processes or operational procedures to ensure compliance with all legislation and improved efficiencies/optimization.
• Assist in communicating biosolids schedule with Farmers and submit disposal cost breakdown.
• Assist in ensuring biosolids loads to farmers are captured correctly and weekly trucks spot check is performed before leaving site
• Assist in liaising with Maintenance department on maintenance, and assist with overseeing installation, of new equipment and repair of Assets
• Perform monthly polyelectrolyte in-house tests to ensure quality product is received and dewatering is optimized by analyzing % moisture of cake.
• Ensure on-site solar drying is performed efficiently whilst minimising the creation of nuisance odours, fly breeding and environmental pollution.

Administrative Effectiveness

• Compile daily/weekly/monthly and quarterly reports in terms of process performance and efficiencies and compliance of
• Ensure shift handover is done
• Ensure recording and reporting timeously levels and/or mass of bulk chemicals such as ferric chloride, Polyelectrolyte and
• Ensure recording and reporting of all meter readings to determine flow rates, sump levels, operation of equipment, temperatures, pressures, dissolved oxygen.
• Produce clear, concise written schedules to
• Report any deviations or breakdowns of plant/process/equipment performance according to ERWAT communications protocol.
• Assist with compiling all documentation in support of the Green Drop program.

Subordinate Effectiveness

• Keep all subordinates on shift informed about process adjustments and performance of plant.
• Assist with training of subordinates and in-service trainees and garduates 
• Ensure time and attendance register are completed daily and report any absence of work /short time of shift team to snr PC/Manager daily

Safety/ Health, Environmental requirements and Risk

• Enforce compliance with OHS Act and applicable Regulations, ERWAT safety rules, procedures, signs and instructions to prevent incidents of health and safety.
• Contribute to good housekeeping by keeping plant and workstation clean and tidy.
• Report any unsafe conditions/safety hazards on the plant
• Report any incidents /accidents and near misses
• Assist with compiling of IMP,SOP’s and ensure training of subordinates and implementation thereof
• Issue Permit to Work in line with the Safety
• Conduct daily toolbox talks and inform subordinates with respect to any risks.
• Assist with identification of new emerging operational or safety risks and ensure controls are enforced in mitigation thereof.
• Implement any mitigation plans/controls/recommendations or findings of any audits performed on the plant

Minimum Requirements 

• Wastewater Treatment NQF 4 and 8 years' experience of which 2 years is at Grade B4.

OR

• National Diploma, National Technical Diploma, NTC VI or BSc Degree (all in appropriate field) and 2 years' experience at Grade B4 (excluding In-service training)

Special Requirements 

• Registration with DWS as a minimum class IV process controller
• Drivers license  

Closing Date 14 March 2026