Who we are

For more than 40 years, Covanta has been at the forefront of sustainable materials management, providing companies and communities world-class waste and resource solutions.

Through our diverse and scalable full-service capabilities, we're leading the charge to a carbon-negative future-reducing, reusing, recycling and reimagining waste for the benefit of both people and planet.

Our differentiator comes from our vast ecosystem of technology, facilities, and partnerships, trusted by the world's largest organizations to solve their most pressing environmental challenges, and achieve their most ambitious environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

All that we're missing is you. Join us today!!

Our values

Diversity, inclusivity, engagement-these are the values that help us foster a strong sense of community within Covanta. By embracing the unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees, we cultivate an environment that embraces teamwork, encourages open dialogue, and provides opportunities for growth.

About the role

Are you ready to be empowered to create your career path? Bring your desire for learning and operational mindset to our team as an Auxiliary Operator (AO) Apprentice. Pillar 1 is a 12-16-week program with Covanta, a leading sustainable materials management company. This is an individual contributor, full-time, on-site role located at our Alexandria, VA location.

Upon completing program requirements, participants are prepared to step into an Auxiliary Operator position at one of our three local Waste to Energy Facilities - Alexandria, VA, or Lorton, VA, or Dickerson, MD. There may be additional opportunities to relocate to other locations within the South region pending role openings.

We invite you to apply and discuss your career roadmap with us!

Learning will be varied based on in-person classroom instruction, computer based training, and hands-on training while under the supervision of a dedicated field trainer or shift supervisor. You will gain foundational knowledge and skills on Waste to Energy processes, system layouts, component descriptions, system cross-functionality, and required theoretical knowledge. You will continue to build your skills and experience as you graduate into your permanent Auxiliary Operator (AO) role.

What your apprentice journey will look like:

• In your first three to four months at Covanta,you will be hands-on, supporting minimum plant operations and maintenance functions, testing and inspection requirements and adherence to required safety standards. This will include routine daily rounds and logs as part of the operator's standard work.

• Throughout your next six months at Covanta,you will actively participate in annual/semiannual critical asset operations and maintenance programs during which National Code and Company Technical Standard functional testing is conducted. Through these important evolutions, you will participate in controlled shutdown and startups of critical assets applying your technical training.You will also learn lean tools and methods of effective problem-solving (PSR) and participate in daily leadership to escalate concerns.

• By the end of your first year at Covanta, you will contribute, develop, and support operational improvement using continuous improvement methods, lean principles, and problem-solving tools to improve safety, quality, cost, or process efficiency. Depending on advancements in your structured progressive training program,youwillbe afforded opportunities to step up into advanced roles including assistant control room operator.

After successfully completing the first segment of in-classroom training, you will be assigned to a qualified control room operator, shift supervisor, or trainer, to allow you to perform watch station tasks and obtain hands-on experience in the field with operation and inspection of various power plant systems including boilers and associated equipment for a waste processing and generation facility operating 24-hours per day, 7-days per week to improve plant preservation.

• Help build a safer, more sustainable world by learning and implementing our revolutionary technology and expertise to recover, recycle and reimagine waste for the benefit of tomorrow. Assist in the operation of a clean and safe work environment and observe good safety habits.

• Provide your unique viewpoints and experiences to drive innovation which happens when diverse perspectives find their voices through open dialogue in a supportive environment. Assist with identifying and correcting abnormal operating conditions or emergency situations.

• Partner with passion.Collaborate with empathy and care when partnering with team members. Leverage your communication expertise while escalating blockers, simplifying operational efficiency, making recommendations to stakeholders, and more. Supporting the Shift Supervisor and Control Room Operator by accuratelyreporting equipment malfunctions or trends which may indicate possible equipment danger.

• Contribute to the Safety of the Operation and Team.Identify critical trends that may indicate possible equipment danger and support leaders by accurately reporting equipment malfunctions. Follow all safety rules Adhere to all OSHA and HazMat Procedures with respect to the storage and handling of materials in the area.

• Operate power hand tools and other specialized equipment.
• Ability to work at heights and trained in proper fall prevention & protectionequipment.

• Ability to work with a full-face respirator during extreme hot and cold temperatures.
• Ability to work in confined space areas of the facility.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Must have the ability to work a rotating shift.

• Frequently ascends or descends ladders, stairs, elevated walkways, ramps, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.
• Frequently lifts or moves up to 25 pounds and occasionally lifts or moves up to 50 pounds.
• Position requires working near and around operating mechanical parts and mobile equipment and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibrations.
• Capable of wearing personal protective equipment, such as hearing protectors and respirators, as necessary.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Prior experience working with high pressure boilers, electric generating equipment is a plus.

• A strong safety culture with focus on life critical safety.
• A DEI Culture respecting cultural norms and differences of our team members.
• Paid Time Off + ten paid holidays per year.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• 401(k) with competitive company match.
• Career Development: Tuition reimbursement, certifications, mentorship, and continued. operations development.
• Health, Vision, Dental, Voluntary Life, and AD&D Insurance.
• Short term and long-term disability.
• Health Savings Account / Flexible Savings Account.

Our DEI Commitment

Covanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer, has developed an Affirmative Action Program (AAP), and will not discriminate against any qualified applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability (including perceived disability, physical, mental, and/or intellectual disabilities), veteran status, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Please note that Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site because of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by going to Covanta.com and clicking on the 'Contact Us' button. Under Inquires, select 'Careers' in the Interest field, fill out all required fields including your message. In the message section, please note this is a 'Job Application Accommodation Request'.