A water and resource-recovery operator in Belgium is running a sludge processing and drying installation in Houthalen, where residual sludge is converted into a reusable raw material and green energy source. As the senior process technician in Houthalen, you will operate and monitor the dryer, adjust process parameters from trends and measurements, and apply BA4 and basic industrial electricity knowledge to investigate electromechanical issues.
The mission
The organisation operates more than 325 wastewater treatment plants, nearly 2,025 wastewater pumping stations and over 7,085 km of sewer networks across Flanders. At the Houthalen site, the team manages the sludge processing and drying stage that follows wastewater treatment. Stable operation protects production continuity while supporting the recovery of materials and green energy from sludge.
Your daily scope combines field rounds and process control. You will take samples, check measurements, follow process trends and adjust installations when values move outside target ranges. You will also carry out electromechanical troubleshooting and preventive maintenance, as well as corrective maintenance when required. Administrative follow-up and reporting in Microsoft 365 keep process status, measurements and interventions traceable. The rota covers early shifts from 06:00 to 14:00, late shifts from 14:00 to 22:00, day shifts, and weekend or public-holiday cover, generally from 08:00 to 16:00; confined-space entry and safety-watch training is provided.
Your responsibilities
- Operate the sludge processing and drying installation safely and reliably across the assigned shifts.
- Maintain stable process performance by monitoring trends, verifying measurements, taking samples and adjusting parameters.
- Identify and resolve electrical and mechanical faults using electromechanical troubleshooting skills, escalating issues when necessary.
- Perform preventive and corrective maintenance to support equipment availability and reliable production.
- Document process data, interventions and follow-up actions accurately in Microsoft 365 and the required reports.
Your profile
Essential skills
- Bring senior-level experience operating industrial process installations and making independent decisions during shift work.
- Hold a valid BA4 electrical competency or authorisation attestation before starting. A valid BA bevoegdheidsattest is accepted in place of the BA vakbekwaamheidsattest.
- Apply a solid understanding of electromechanics and basic industrial electricity to investigate faults and support maintenance work.
- Follow process trends, interpret measurements and adjust installations in a controlled and responsible manner.
- Work independently, take ownership of operational decisions and communicate relevant issues clearly.
- Use Microsoft 365 applications for administrative follow-up and reporting.
- Accept rotating early, day and late shifts, including weekend and public-holiday work in daytime hours.
- Meet the mandatory Hepatitis A and tetanus vaccination requirements.
Preferred skills
- Bring additional mechanical aptitude or practical experience with industrial equipment.
- Hold an attestation for operating a mobile elevating work platform or an overhead crane operator certificate.