Wastewater Engineer

The situation regarding water and wastewater services has become particularly dire in Lebanon's rural areas. These areas have absorbed the highest proportion of Syrian refugees during the on-going crisis and have had the lowest overall access to public wastewater supply networks. The increasingly expanding informal settlements (IS) and higher density of hosting population concentrations have also placed stress on existing water and wastewater services. In some communities, Syrian refugees outnumber the local population. Tensions at the community level have flared as WASH resources are stretched, and local authorities are struggling to cope with the additional service demands imposed by the growing refugee populations. Additionally, the environment is negatively impacted by IS regarding solid waste, water pollution, land use and ecosystems, and problems resulting from years of neglect in Lebanon.

SAWA undertakes emergency WASH responses across any area in Bekaa, with an overall objective to reduce morbidity and mortality of vulnerable populations.  SAWA is currently searching for a water/waste-water engineer to work with our established WaSH team in our Office in Baalbeck . You will work on various projects within water/wastewater including analysis and design of collection and emergency facilities treatment, while implementing a Waste Water Treatment PILOT project on behalf of BMFG and UNICEF within Bekaa.

To operate, monitor, maintain, and trouble-shoot the wastewater treatment methods in informal settlements and its processes.

To conduct research about Water Health coupling specifically in the area of Baalbeck/Hermel and Bekaa in general.

Work involves responsibility for the technical aspects of systems’ operations, compliance with Lebanese operating regulations and laws, and underground sewerage system. Work is performed under the direction of the Program Manager and Coordinator in collaboration with the Water Quality Lab and Engineering department, subject to review through reports and results achieved.

• Act as a focal point of SAWA on BMGF pilot project.
• Design and oversee projects involving the disposal of wastewater and sewage
• Prevention of environmental risks or contamination
• Prepare environmental documentation for onsite wastewater treatment methods, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and fieldwork.
• Test of the available system on allowed irrigation parameters: Perform all aspects of sampling, monitoring and testing required to maintain compliance with local regulations governing the wastewater treatment process, and sludge management
• Assist with the installation and inspection of new systems and services.
• Perform the installation, maintenance, and repair of networks, pits, septic tanks, up-flow filters, and the pilot system and all of their components.
• During the coordinator’s absence, act as the department’s representative to the public.
• Assist in the performance of regular and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on all equipment and system in ISs.
• On-call response to emergencies and breakdowns of systems.
• Conduct the necessary checks of the treatment system on a rotating basis.
• Perform all work in conformance with Occupational Safety and WHO regulations.
• Maintain open communications with the PM and Coordinator regarding the treatment process and stations operation and malfunctions, as well as make recommendations for repairs and improvements to these systems.
• Conduct research on wastewater lab requirements, and be able to perform test independently.

• Have a working knowledge of the operation, methods and procedures of wastewater treatment processes
• Have a basic knowledge of Lebanese rules governing wastewater discharges and workers’ safety.
• Strong ability to perform analysis of the wastewater characteristics and parameters such BOD, COD, TSS, TDS and others…
• Strong analytical skills, solid reporting methods.
• Solid command of fluent English spoken and written is a must.
• Be able to read CAD and GIS map accurately.
• Excellent command of Windows, Word and Excel is eligible.
• More than “two years old” driving license is a must

• Wastewater engineering, environmental engineering, Water and Groundwater science, WaSH or any relevant education.
• Certificate in ArcGIS
• C1 in English is a plus.
• Previous research on Water and Waste Water in Lebanon is a high plus.

• Has the ability to walk/climb long distances while taking measures. (Mountains of Baalbeck to check the possibility for constructing a storm/rainwater dam)
• Has the ability to lift 20 KG of wastewater testing kits, and/or samples.
• Has the ability to detect and differentiate colors.