• Participate in fault finding and process optimization exercises, by implementing engineering and process control principles, to identify possible problems and solutions to be reported to management:º Diagnosed critical equipment issue at the belt press, enabling a week-long downtime recovery by recommending a larger variable speed drive for the malfunctioning motor.º Improved biological reactor efficiency by optimising submersible mixer positioning, resulting in a rapid 70% increase in TSS levels within 24 hours, highlighting improved sludge management and mixer depth placement.º Conducted a root cause analysis leading to the discovery that the 38% average increase in inflow flow rate was attributed to groundwater infiltration into the primary inlets sewer line. This was as a result of the severe flooding throughout the Western Cape and the scrutinising of water table lead to this discovery.• Assist with water sampling, data collection, data analysis and data visualisation of plant compliance.• Communicate technical information to key stakeholders on plant conditions, performance, and outcomes by compiling weekly and monthly performance reports.• Collaborate with internal stakeholders in the Water and Sanitation directorate such as with the Engineering and Asset Management, and Water Demand Management departments in attending to breakdowns and maintenance of equipment timeously.• Assist plant management in interacting with external stakeholders such as engineering contractors and project managers during technical briefs and proposals.• Apply necessary process control according to standard operating procedures to ensure processes in the plant, such as, biological reactors and sludge handling facilities operate optimally.• Report potential health risks and unsafe working conditions to the supervisor.• Perform general housekeeping and maintenance duties.

In this role I served as a laboratory assistant for six years at the Environmental Engineering Research Group laboratory at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology whilst completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies. During this time, I regularly acted in the role of assistant lab manager, lectured and tutored chemical engineering modules from second year and BTech.The following are some of the responsibilities:• Assistant manager of the water research laboratory at the Environmental Engineering Research Group, I was tasked with managing six in-service training students, two BTech students and one Advanced Diploma postgraduate student during the 2019-2022 calendar years.• Prepared chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas and standard operating procedures.• Provided and maintained a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.• Developed research methodologies and design matrices using statistical models and Design Expert V11.• Assisted in the design, commissioning and operation of various experimental lab-scale and pilot plants, assisting engineers, academics and research students with project management for the following research projects:º The ammonium thiosulphate leaching of gold from waste mobile phone printed circuit boards - emphasis on acid pre-treatment and nickel catalysis.º The effect of particle size distribution on the extraction of gold from printed circuit boards using ammonium thiosulphate.º The effect of membrane characteristics on the performance of membrane distillation system for the treatment of hypersaline brine.º The removal of anionic surfactant from commercial laundry wastewater with reverse osmosis membrane.Participated in administrative duties such as conducting regular inventory audits, and procured chemicals and equipment as needed for the lab.