The Applications Specialist is the primary day-to-day technical representative to assigned customer accounts.
In this role, a typical day will look like:
- Delivering the USP value proposition through three core areas: (1) wastewater sampling and analysis, (2) chemical logistics planning and oversight, and (3) minor maintenance of chemical feed and monitoring equipment. Working on-site at customer facilities, the Applications Specialist builds trusted relationships with plant operators and management and translates field data into clear recommendations that keep treatment programs performing to contract expectations. This is a customer-facing position requiring the ability to communicate program status and recommendations directly to customer personnel in a safe, reliable and professional manner, working both independently and as part of a cross-functional account team.
The essential requirements of the job include:
Wastewater Sampling & Analysis
- Collect routine and event-driven grab and composite samples from influent, process and effluent points per customer, USP and regulatory protocols, including chain-of-custody, preservation, labeling and holding times.
- Perform on-site analyses (e.g., pH, ORP, residual oxidant/peroxide, dissolved sulfide, DO, alkalinity, turbidity, jar/bench testing) using portable instrumentation and wet-chemistry methods; calibrate and maintain field instruments.
- Record, review and trend results; validate data quality, flag out-of-spec conditions and recommend feed-rate or program adjustments.
- Prepare and deliver clear, timely customer reports, system surveys and data summaries documenting performance against contract targets; coordinate with third-party labs for confirmatory or compliance analyses.
Chemical Logistics Planning & Oversight
- Monitor chemical inventory and consumption at assigned sites; forecast usage and schedule deliveries to prevent stock-outs while minimizing excess inventory and freight cost.
- Coordinate deliveries with suppliers, carriers, USP logistics and customer site personnel; provide on-site oversight of bulk and packaged transfers to ensure they are safe, to the correct tank, and compliant with DOT, OSHA and customer protocols.
- Inspect chemical storage areas, tanks, containment and unloading equipment; verify labeling, SDS availability and secondary containment integrity.
- Maintain accurate delivery, inventory and usage records; reconcile deliveries against orders and support monthly forecasting and invoicing.
Minor Maintenance & System Support
- Perform routine inspection and preventive maintenance on chemical feed systems, including metering pumps, tubing and injection quills, flow meters, level sensors, analyzers and control panels.
- Troubleshoot and resolve common feed-system faults (pump priming, tubing and check-valve replacement, sensor cleaning/calibration, minor leaks); escalate issues beyond minor repair to the service or engineering team.
- Verify and adjust feed rates to program targets; maintain maintenance logs, spare-parts inventories and equipment records for each site.
Customer Interface & Account Coordination
- Serve as day-to-day point of contact for plant operators, supervisors and environmental staff; conduct regular site walk-throughs and program review meetings.
- Communicate results, recommendations and any safety or out-of-spec conditions promptly to the customer and the USP account team; manage such conditions per customer and Company protocols.
- Identify opportunities to improve program performance, efficiency or scope and communicate them to the Account Manager.
- Other Responsibilities as Required
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS• Working knowledge of water/wastewater treatment chemistry and processes; odor, sulfide, disinfection or nutrient control experience preferred.
• Field or laboratory analytical skills, including sampling technique, wet-chemistry methods, portable instrumentation and data quality practices.
• Understanding of chemical handling, storage and transport requirements (DOT/HazMat, OSHA HazCom, SDS) and safe delivery practices.
• Mechanical aptitude with metering pumps, instrumentation and hand tools; able to read P&IDs and equipment manuals.
• Strong organizational skills to manage inventory forecasts, delivery schedules and reporting across multiple sites; proficiency with Microsoft Office and field data or CRM tools.
• Excellent written/verbal communication and interpersonal skills; a team player who maintains integrity, maturity and accountability in a remote, self-managed role.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE• B.S. in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Engineering or related technical degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2-5 years of customer-facing water/wastewater treatment, industrial chemical service or equivalent experience; hands-on sampling/analysis and chemical feed equipment experience strongly preferred.
• Valid driver's license with clean record required; wastewater operator certification, 40-hour HAZWOPER or DOT HazMat training a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS• Travel may be frequent depending on assigned account base; may require long hours, varied schedules and occasional on-call or emergency response. Occasionally drives short and long distances within DOT regulations.
• Periodically required to walk, sit, stand, climb (stairs and ladders), reach, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl; constantly uses hands and fingers to handle tools, objects and keyboards; frequently lifts, carries, pushes or pulls up to 60 pounds.
• Requires close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. These demands are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job.
WORKING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENT• Required to wear all PPE for sampling, maintenance and chemical deliveries, which may include eye, hearing and respiratory protection, protective apron or chemical suit, steel-toe shoes, gloves, hard hat or face shield.
• Work sites include wastewater plants, lift stations, collection systems, water plants, cooling towers and industrial process areas, indoors and outdoors, with occasional extreme heat/cold, inclement weather and high noise levels.
• Routine exposure to and handling of hazardous chemicals and untreated wastewater. Trust and respect for customers and USP associates.
US ONLY:The below range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. An associate's position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs.
The compensation range for this role is $77,000 - $87,000 USD per year. This job is also eligible for Bonus Pay.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.
US residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
