Operator, Wastewater Treatment

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued. People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals. We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey. About American Water American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities. American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Indexfor the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Primary Role The Operator, Wastewater Treatment is responsible for performing entry-level operational and maintenance support work at a wastewater treatment facility. This role supports daily plant operations, monitoring, routine maintenance, and data collection activities while learning wastewater treatment and collection processes and regulatory requirements. Work is performed under the general supervision of Senior and Lead Operators or local management.Key Accountabilities

• Perform routine operations and maintenance tasks within the plant/treatment facility, including assisting with the care and operation of equipment such as pumps, motors, chlorinators, and chemical preparation and feeding systems, in accordance with established procedures.
• Assist with operating and monitoring physical, chemical, and biological wastewater treatment processes, as well as associated control and monitoring equipment.
• Assist with regulating the flow of wastewater and sludge through the treatment processes under direction and established operating procedures.
• Maintain accurate and complete plant records, including operating logs, daily worksheets, laboratory and field test results, chemical feed data, flow measurements, temperatures, levels, and other process data.
• Load and unload chemicals used at the treatment plants following all chemical handling procedures. Maintain chemical inventory levels.
• Inspect all mechanical equipment for proper operation and perform normal lubrication, adjustments, seal packing, minor maintenance, and minor repairs, as assigned.
• Perform related field and laboratory tests necessary to support monitoring and operation of the facilities.
• Assist with making adjustments to equipment, processes, and chemical feeders based on test results and specific direction from the Lead Operator or Supervisor.
• Conduct routine safety inspections, utilize required PPE, and adhere to lockout/tagout and chemical-handling protocols.
• Answer calls from the CSO, and relay information to operations and leadership as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.Knowledge/Skills
• Ability to learn and understand basic principles and safety practices of wastewater treatment, pumping, and collection systems, each as they may apply to area of responsibility.
• Ability to learn and understand the basic scientific principles related to wastewater treatment process.
• Awareness of how wastewater treatment processes function and the importance of following established operating procedures.
• Ability to learn and understand the operation of pumps, valves, motors, and other mechanical equipment related to plant operation and maintenance.
• Knowledge of required safety procedures, including PPE, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and electrical safety.
• Awareness of emergency response procedures related to plant systems, equipment failures, or chemical incidents, and the importance of timely reporting and escalation.
• Effective quantitative and analytical skills; attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to clearly communicate operational changes, equipment issues, and safety concerns.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, maintenance, and external contractors.
• Basic understanding of piping systems, basic hydraulics, and electrical safety as related to wastewater treatment facilities.
• Ability to recognize abnormal mechanical or electrical conditions and report or assist with troubleshooting under supervision.
• Technical Proficiency: Good working knowledge of computer programs, databases, and software.
• Ability to collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests under established procedures.
• Skill in safe handling, storage, and transfer of hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to respond to alarms and emergency conditions by following established procedures and notifying supervision.Experience/Education
• High School Diploma or equivalent. College course work in biology, chemistry, environmental science or engineering preferred.
• 0-2 years’ experience in mechanical, industrial, environmental, or utility work Certifications & Licenses
• License requirements vary by state. Candidate must obtain license within designated timeframe. Basic Water Treatment license preferred
• Valid Driver’s LicenseWork Environment
• Work performed in both indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to chemicals, odors, noise, and varying weather conditions. Potential exposure to dust, pollen, chemicals, and sewage. The ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment is required.
• May be required to work in buildings, in pits, manholes, on scaffoldings or in confined spaces.
• May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, slippery surfaces, water/wastewater hazards, airborne/blood borne pathogens, and electrical equipment.
• Must be able to perform essential functions and meet the physical requirements of the position including ability to stand, climb stairs, and/ or walk and/or sit for long periods of time. Ability to safely lift, carry, push, pull, and move tools, equipment, and materials up to 80 lbs. as required. Involves crouching, stooping, and kneeling for extended or repeated periods.
• Must be able to safely drive a company vehicle for extended or intermittent periods in varying conditions. Frequently enters and exits vehicles.
• Overtime, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and/or on-call assignments required depending on operational needs.Travel Requirements
• Daily travel within region may be required.CompetenciesPlans & AlignsDecision MakingCommunicates EffectivelyBuilds NetworksAction Oriented