Equipment Operator B

American Water Co.; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water is seeking an Equipment Operator B in Scranton, PA. The role involves manual labor and operating machinery to support wastewater plant operations and distribution systems.

You will perform maintenance, installation, and repair tasks, adhering to safety standards and PennDOT requirements. The position is unionized with competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, including health, 401(k), and disability coverage.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Valid PA Driver's License required.
• Experience operating backhoe, loader, forklift or related equipment desirable.
• OSHA confined space certification preferred.
• Basic computer knowledge and safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Support wastewater treatment plant operations through manual labor and skilled tasks.
• Install, repair and maintain sewer lines, manholes and related infrastructure.
• Operate trucks with trailers up to 26,000 lbs and related equipment.
• Adhere to safety procedures and PennDOT requirements; follow 24/7 on-call emergency response.
• Read and interpret site maps and work orders in Scranton Wastewater systems.

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Backhoe

Loader

Forklift

Material handling equipment

Basic Computer Knowledge

OSHA confined space certification

PADOT medical card

Valid PA Driver's License

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.

Join a great company with an exciting Equipment Operator B opportunity in Scranton, PA.

This position is a union position with Pennsylvania American Water and the starting pay rate is $30.67 per hour.

This position may be eligible for annual incentive pay and contracted increases as determined by the collective bargaining agreement, and you will have the opportunity for continued salary growth. In addition to compensation, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Possible overtime

American Water employees also receive learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally.

Primary Role

Responsible for various activities in support of the wastewater treatment plant operations. Performs manual labor and learns to perform semi-skilled work in the maintenance, operation, repair and construction of the treatment plant and distribution & collection systems.

Key Accountabilities

• Performs manual labor in installing, repairing and maintaining lines, valves, meters, pumps and taps.
• Performs manual labor in installing, repairing and maintaining sewer lines, force mains, lift stations and manholes.
• Digs holes and ditches with shovel and other hand tools.
• Must be knowledgeable in and be capable of operating specific construction equipment used to service, replace or repair main sewer lines and lateral spurs not limited to, jack hammers, air compressors, generators, tampers, saws, viber plates, concrete road saws, gas operated hand rollers, bypass pumps, trash pumps and blacktopping equipment as well as small hand tools such as picks, shovels, sledge hammers.
• Must be knowledgeable of sewer pipe fitting techniques to include fernco and sleeve installations, pipe preparation procedures and slip line application.
• Should be familiar with different pipe diameters and manufacturers ratings.
• Will be required to install main sewer lines pipe and lateral spurs as well as repair or replace old and substandard sewer line pipe and spurs.
• Will be required to install, raise or lower cast manhole lid and frame fixtures as well as knowledgeable of complete manhole installation.
• Needs to be able to interpret Scranton Wastewater maps not limited to Index, Ward, Lateral and Interceptor as-built maps.
• Needs to be familiar with the basic operation of Scranton Wastewater system maintenance vehicles such as vacuum trucks, jet trucks, clam trucks.
• Must be able to operate trucks with trailers up to 26,000 lbs. Cleans and maintains tools.
• Responsible for keeping site and grounds at plants clean and neat. Picks up necessary supplies and tools as directed.
• Performs work safely in accordance with departmental safety procedures and operates equipment safely.
• Must be familiar with local and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) traffic, inspector, construction and safety requirements.
• Needs to have a thorough understanding of the collection system, and collection system components including gravity sewers, pumping stations, pumping station forced mains, catch basins, combined sewers, separated sewers, storm structures and combined sewer overflows.
• Must be aware of safety equipment and requirements as set forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• Must be able to be defined as a competent person, and willing to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate any predictable hazards in the surrounding working conditions, which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees.
• Needs to be capable of entering work orders related to sewer repair and installation in Scranton Wastewater’s work order system.
• Will be required to respond to emergencies on a 24/7 basis as needed Assist Operator A

Experience/Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Valid PA Drivers License

Prior work experience in operating or working alongside backhoe, loader, forklift or related material handling equipment experience also highly desirable.

PADOT medical card preferred

Basic Computer Knowledge

Obtain OSHA confined space certification

Work is performed primarily in a field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; exposure to hazardous traffic conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate with exception of usage of certain machinery.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, twist, talk and hear. The employee is required to walk; use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

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.