Site Coordinator, Desalination Systems Operations / Coordinador(a) de Sitio, Operación de Plantas Desaladoras

Job Description:

The Site Coordinator leads day-to-day operations at our Pichidangui – Palo Colorado site (Los Vilos, Coquimbo Region) a, where Oneka operates a wave-powered desalination buoy and a solar desalination system that supply drinking water to a local client. The Site Coordinator manages the team of operators, local contractors and purchasing, and keeps the plant running safely and reliably. The solar system is already built and operational: this role is focused on water treatment, hydraulics and mechanical maintenance.

We are looking for an ambitious, hands-on person who wants a real challenge: a pioneering project, a lot of autonomy, and daily work with our engineering team in Sherbrooke, Canada. The role includes growth opportunities as Oneka expands in Chile as we are expanding the number of sites.

The person will be reporting to the Project Manager, located in Quebec, Canada

Responsibilities

- Lead, schedule and supervise the team of operators for the desalination buoys and the solar desalination system (shifts, training, safety)
- Operate and maintain the water treatment train: intake, pre-filtration, reverse osmosis membranes, post-treatment, storage and distribution
- Plan and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, valves, piping, fittings, filters and instrumentation
- Monitor key performance indicators: water production, recovery, pressures, conductivity, turbidity and residual chlorine
- Carry out water quality sampling and ensure the water meets the NCh 409 drinking water standard and the site’s sanitary resolution
- Manage local contractors (marine, plumbing, civil works, transport): quotes, contracts, coordination and quality control
- Procurement: source and purchase spare parts,



consumables, chemicals and services; track budget and inventory
- Communicate daily in English with the engineering team in Sherbrooke: operating reports, data, incidents and improvement ideas
- Ensure compliance with safety, environmental and permitting requirements (Autoridad Marítima, SEREMI de Salud)
- Build strong relationships with the community, the municipality and local partners

Education and Experience Requirements

- Technical or professional degree in water treatment, sanitary, civil, chemical, mechanical or environmental engineering, or relevant experience
- Experience: Minimum 3 years in operation or maintenance of water treatment, desalination or water distribution systems, with field experience
- Experience supervising operators or field crews
- Marine and/or coastal experience is a plus
- Desirable certifications (not required):

◦ Drinking water treatment plant operator training

◦ Occupational health and safety (prevención de riesgos)

- Languages: Advanced English (spoken and written), Spanish, French (desirable, not required)

Technical Competencies

- Technical experience in water treatment, maritime or hydraulic systems.
- Knowledge of Chilean drinking water regulations (NCh 409, sanitary resolution) is an advantage
- Understanding of solar PV & battery systems is a plus
- Comfortable using spreadsheets and digital tools to log data and report
- Autonomous, organized and resourceful problem solver in a remote setting

Location

- Pichidangui – Palo Colorado, Los Vilos, Coquimbo Region (4th Region)
- Must be present on sites during standard weekdays as needed
- Location may evolve as we have more sites in Chile

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Language:

- English (Required)
- Spanish (Required)

Work Location: In person

Sueldo: $1.600.000 - $2.200.000 al mes

Lugar de trabajo: Empleo presencial

📌 Site Coordinator, Desalination Systems Operations / Coordinador(a) de Sitio, Operación de Plantas De (Santiago)
🏢 Oneka Technologies
📍 Santiago