Distribution Team Lead

Aqua; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 74,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is seeking a Distribution Team Lead to oversee water purification facilities, lead technical teams, and ensure regulatory compliance across operations in our footprint. The role demands strong project leadership and cost-conscious improvements.

Based in Illinois, you’ll monitor facilities, guide technicians, coordinate capital projects, and maintain documentation while interfacing with vendors and engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, chemistry or a related field preferred. Exceptional work experience may be considered as equivalent to the education requirement at the discretion of the hiring team.
• A minimum of 3 years in water treatment system operations and/or capital improvement projects with demonstrated management of multiple projects preferred.
• Three years previous lead or supervisory experience preferred
• Prior experience managing & reconciling inventory preferred

Responsibilities

• Monitors operations of water purification facilities including testing and analysis required for proper operation and reporting to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices.
• Makes recommendations on improvements and upgrades needed to improve operational performance and cost efficiency.
• Provides technical advice and guidance to utility technicians and facility operators as needed to address issues and develop skills.
• Identifies, evaluates, and recommends cost-effective improvements in system operations including vendor and contractor services relating to the operation of all assigned facilities.
• Prepares monitoring reports as required for regulatory review. Updates and maintains facility records and related documentation including blueprints, equipment manuals and operating data.
• Oversees and provides the highest level of technical assistance during construction of new installations, major repairs, and capital construction projects including working on the most complex filters, sludge tanks, pumps, motors, blowers and other equipment needed for proper facility operation.
• Interfaces with vendors, contractors, consulting engineers and plant staff regarding water and/or wastewater systems under company ownership.
• Assists in the cost development of capital projects within the water operations and assists in the development of operating budgets.
• Handles elevated responses to customer questions and/or concerns regarding water services.
• Coordinates the removal of sludge and delivery of chemicals and supplies needed for facility operations.
• Leads and/or assists with other tasks or projects as assigned

Skills

Computer proficiency

Communication

Customer service

Pressure tolerance

Multi-project management

Team player

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, chemistry or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

GIS-based applications

Job description

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

The Distribution Team Lead acts as a technical expert in the operation, maintenance, repair and construction for potable water purification facilities, including but not limited to green sand filters, manganese dioxide filters, radium filters, uranium filters, fluoride filters, nitrate filters, ion exchange facilities, and reverse osmosis facilities. Ensures that all operations are in accordance with all applicable company and regulatory rules and requirements.

Essential Duties

• Monitors operations of water purification facilities including testing and analysis required for proper operation and reporting to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices.
• Makes recommendations on improvements and upgrades needed to improve operational performance and cost efficiency.
• Provides technical advice and guidance to utility technicians and facility operators as needed to address issues and develop skills.
• Identifies, evaluates, and recommends cost-effective improvements in system operations including vendor and contractor services relating to the operation of all assigned facilities.
• Prepares monitoring reports as required for regulatory review. Updates and maintains facility records and related documentation including blueprints, equipment manuals and operating data.
• Oversees and provides the highest level of technical assistance during construction of new installations, major repairs, and capital construction projects including working on the most complex filters, sludge tanks, pumps, motors, blowers and other equipment needed for proper facility operation.
• Interfaces with vendors, contractors, consulting engineers and plant staff regarding water and/or wastewater systems under company ownership.
• Assists in the cost development of capital projects within the water operations and assists in the development of operating budgets.
• Handles elevated responses to customer questions and/or concerns regarding water services.
• Coordinates the removal of sludge and delivery of chemicals and supplies needed for facility operations.
• Leads and/or assists with other tasks or projects as assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, chemistry or a related field preferred. Exceptional work experience may be considered as equivalent to the education requirement at the discretion of the hiring team.
• A minimum of 3 years in water treatment system operations and/or capital improvement projects with demonstrated management of multiple projects preferred.
• Three years previous lead or supervisory experience preferred
• Prior experience managing & reconciling inventory preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient with computers including use of the Microsoft Office Suite, and other maintenance and GIS-based applications
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely and professionally)
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• May be subject to extreme temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, fumes, dusts, mists, gases and /or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• See, hear, talk and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity
• Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents (if applicable)

Compensation

• The anticipated salary range for this position is $74,000 - $85,000. Actual compensation will be based on qualifications, experience, and other job-related factors.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is not an all-inclusive document. Additional duties, expectations, demands, etc. may be added or changed to this document on an as-needed basis in order to meet organizational needs.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Aff

Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered‑veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities