$32.55/hr-Water Plant Operator

American Water Co.; Mechanicsburg (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 37,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water is seeking a Water Plant Operator in Mechanicsburg, PA to oversee the water treatment process during night shifts. The role requires mechanical insight, safety awareness, and the ability to perform routine maintenance and quality testing.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma (or equivalent), a PA driver’s license, and will obtain a PA DEP Operator Class A license within three months of hire.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• PA driver’s license required.
• PA DEP Operator Class A license within 3 months of hire.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair plant equipment and facilities.
• Control flow through water treatment and distribution systems.
• Record keeping and regulatory compliance documentation.

Skills

Water treatment

Mechanical aptitude

Safety mindset

Communication skills

Math skills

Physical fitness

Reading instructions

Education

High School diploma

Science/Engineering coursework

Job description

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 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 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.

Job Title: $32.55/hr-Water Plant Operator

Posting Start Date: 10/23/26

Job Description:

Primary Role

Have you ever wondered how the water at your home, work or community is treated? Are you passionate about work that makes a difference? If so, this may be a great role for you! Pennsylvania American Water has an opportunity for a full-time Water Treatment Operator role in Mechanicburg, PA. As a plant operator, you will oversee the overall treatment process, make controlled adjustments, and ensure we are producing a safe, healthy, and reliable resource for our customers and the greater public. Our ideal candidate will have experience in a plant environment and have a strong mechanical attitude and safety mindset.

The plant operator is responsible for having active involvement in and make process control decisions associated with the operation and maintenance of water purification systems and related wastewater processes.

*Note- This is a night-shift position.

Key Accountabilities

• Operate, maintain, control and perform routine repair of plant equipment including preventive maintenance duties.
• Establish, maintain and control flow through the water treatment process and into and within the distribution system.
• Maintain process control through the water treatment and wastewater processes including the establishment, maintenance, calibration and adjustment of chemical feed rates necessary to optimize the process operation.
• Monitor the water treatment plant and water distribution system and make adjustments as necessary to control their operation.
• Maintain all necessary records.
• Perform water quality sampling, testing and analysis to determine compliance with federal, state and PAWC’s standards.
• Loading, unloading, handling, placing into storage and batching water treatment plant chemicals.
• Operate and maintain raw water facilities including reservoir supply, transmission and pumping facilities.
• Perform general maintenance duties at water treatment plant and related facilities and other assigned duties.

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of water treatment processes, basic scientific concepts and water quality standards and regulation and Company procedures
• Working knowledge of basic mechanical and automated control systems
• Communicate in an effective manner both oral and written with the general public and Company personnel
• Read and understand instructions, safety rules, etc.
• Mathematical skills sufficient to be able to calculate dosages, surface areas, volumes, weights, measures and algebraic formulas
• Mechanical ability sufficient to operate pumps, valves, motors and other mechanical equipment related to plant operation and maintenance
• Physical fitness- capable of lifting and/or carrying 50 lbs. or more on a frequent basis
• Walking up and down stairs
• Working in confined areas
• Ability to wear a respirator
• Environmental conditions including contact with water, chemicals, fumes, odors and dust as a result of working with and handling potentially hazardous water treatment and laboratory chemicals
• Minimum exposure to inclement weather mostly of short duration

Experience/Education

• High School graduate or state recognized education equivalency certificate
• College course work and/or degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science or engineering curriculum are desired
• Must possess a valid PA driver’s license
• Must obtain and maintain a PA DEP Operator Class A license within three (3) of hire
• Attend continuing education as needed for Operator certification renewal

Travel Requirements

• Local travel within service territory

Work Schedule

• Full-time, on-site
• Rotating 12-hour shift (7pm-7am)

Competencies

• Plans & Aligns Decision Making Communicates Effectively Builds Networks Action Oriented

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing ™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they arean individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.