Joel McLaurin
Spring Lake
Summary
A Certified Treatment Specialist with many years of diverse and progressive wastewater, sewage and water treatment experience. Hands-on practitioner with operational, analytical and maintenance proficiency across full spectrum of wastewater systems and equipment. Deeply committed to efficient and clean plant operation for economical, environmental, and public safety reasons. Forward-thinking and industrious with diplomatic communication style focused on maximizing engagement and satisfaction. Eager to offer exceptional leadership and planning abilities to take on new role in management setting.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
6052
6052
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Grade 4 Wastewater operator
Pilgrims Pride
Sanford
10.2025 - Current
- Operated and maintained wastewater treatment systems effectively.
- Monitored water quality parameters to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Performed routine inspections and troubleshooting of equipment issues.
- Collaborated with team members to optimize treatment processes.
- Responded promptly to alarms and operational emergencies effectively.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations related to wastewater discharge standards.
- Sampled and tested wastewater, applied chemical dosing, received chemical shipments, and performed wastewater plant preventive maintenance and minor corrective maintenance.
- Monitored plant supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA), calibrated gauges, meters and controls and recorded readings for next shift.
Grade 4 Wastewater Operator
Smithfield Foods
Tar Heel
11.2021 - Current
- Responsible for daily grab and composite samples.
- Inspect pumps and motors.
- Collect chlorine samples, such as free, total and residual.
- Perform lab tests, such as NH3, COD, BOD.
- Tasked to complete wastewater operator duties including monitoring DO levels, blower motors, blower amps, clarifier levels, clarifier sludge blankets.
- Complete and record chain of custody sheets and fecal sheets, etc. as required by federal and state regulations.
- Assist with general maintenance and upkeep of wastewater area to include weed eating, clarifier and UV cleaning and parshall flume.
- As a Relief Operator, am on call to ensure adequate employee coverage in areas of Wastewater and Pretreatment.
- Steward of the environment ensuring proficiency in treating water and discharging a high-quality effluent back into the environment.
Environmental Lead Person
Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry
Sanford
08.2020 - 11.2021
- Performed environmental site assessments and provided remediation recommendations.
- Gathered environmental data, including water, air and soil contaminations.
- Prepared detailed scientific reports or presentations based on findings.
- Formulated and implemented long-range plans for environmental programs.
- Interpreted test data to determine whether contamination existed in accordance with environmental laws.
- Investigated accidents and analyzed root causes to develop corrective action plans.
- Served as technical consultant on environmental policies to maintain regulatory compliance.
- Served as subject matter expert (SME) on environmental regulations and policies.
- Provided system and component design reducing negative impact on area environment.
- Maintained excellent attendance record, consistently arriving at work on time.
- Managed development, design and execution of energy conservation projects.
- Actively listened to employees, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Maintained and repaired facilities, equipment and tools to achieve operational readiness, safety and cleanliness.
- Conducted research, gathered information from multiple sources and presented results.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Obtained and maintained permits and plans.
Grade 1&2 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry
Sanford
03.2019 - 09.2020
- Performed water quality analysis, testing, and verification.
- Adhered to EPA and OSHA regulations.
- Maintained water treatment equipment, including Pumps and Other equipment.
- Activated pumps, valves and processing equipment to move water through treatment processes and added chemicals as needed.
- Recorded test data and prepared reports, summaries or charts to interpret test results.
- Collected water samples to test alkalinity, hardness and residual levels.
- Operated equipment such as front-end loaders, forklifts and slakers regularly.
- Disinfected water with chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine in exact concentrations.
- Monitored SCADA system for problems and adjusted controls to maintain efficiency.
- Calibrated pH, DO and chlorine meters to support proper working order for daily inspections.
- Drafted reports and maintained logs on meter readings, tests, chemical and equipment usage as required by State.
- Adjusted water treatment levels to correct below-standard variances.
- Diagnosed and performed minor repairs on laboratory instrumentation and maintained lab and field equipment in safe, clean and efficient condition.
- Tested water samples and adjusted to remove harmful bacteria and organism to guarantee water safety and quality of taste and smell.
- Assisted in water reconnaissance and site preparation.
- Demonstrated capability for wet chemistry techniques by meeting quality control requirements, laboratory SOP and other specifications.
Dark Meat Saddlepack Lead Person
Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry
Sanford
10.2018 - 03.2019
- Supervised and motivated staff employees.
- Maintained team efficiency by strategically delegating daily activities, monitoring output and rewarding positive contributions.
- Set and enforced policies focused on increasing team productivity and strengthening operational efficiency.
- Maintained, documented and presented progress reports to leaders.
- Stayed up to date on changing product and service options to provide top-notch support to employees.
- Partnered with upper management in executing functional strategies and reporting capabilities.
Machine Technician
Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry
Sanford
07.2018 - 10.2018
- Maintained equipment performance by completing routine maintenance actions such as lubricating and cleaning components.
- Updated daily production logs with timely and accurate information, regularly informing management of special incidents or non-conformance issues.
- Tended operating machinery to identify equipment malfunctions and locate sources of product defects.
- Set up and ran GEA and other machinery to produce exceptional products for the customer’s needs.
- Set accurate feed rates and trimming protocols to maintain efficient production and meet schedule demands.
- Followed technical documentation, including tooling instructions and product specifications to determine and implement operational sequences.
Education
BBA - Business Administration
Strayer University
Washington, DCGED -
FCI Edgefield
Edgefield, SCGED -
Cornerstone Christian Correspondence School
Townsend, GASkills
- Environmental data analysis
- Report Development
- Employee performance evaluations
- Strategic Planning
- Operations management
- Google Drive
- Staff Management
- Employee scheduling
- Business planning
- Safety awareness
- Equipment installation
- Hand and power tools
- SCADA Software
- Sludge Management
- NPDES Permits
- Water Quality
- Workflow Optimization
- Sanitation guidelines
- Environmental assessments
- Chemical dosing
- Attention to detail
- Instrument Calibration
Certification
- Licensed Grade 4 Wastewater Operator, 1011662, 2022
- C Surface,230193, 2026
- C Well, 230193, 2023
- Physical Chemical 1, 1013158, 2023
- Hazmat Trained and Certified
- Incident command trained and certified
- Licensed P.I.T. or Power Industrial truck operator
Timeline
Grade 4 Wastewater operator
Pilgrims Pride
10.2025 - Current
Grade 4 Wastewater Operator
Smithfield Foods
11.2021 - Current
Environmental Lead Person
Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry
08.2020 - 11.2021
Grade 1&2 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry
03.2019 - 09.2020
Dark Meat Saddlepack Lead Person
Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry
10.2018 - 03.2019
Machine Technician
Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry
07.2018 - 10.2018
BBA - Business Administration
Strayer University
GED -
FCI Edgefield
GED -
Cornerstone Christian Correspondence School