Lead Wastewater Treatment Operator

American Water Works Service Company, Inc.; Elm (PA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water is seeking a Lead Plant Operator in Claysville, PA to manage day-to-day wastewater treatment operations, monitoring processes and ensuring regulatory compliance. The role includes light maintenance and supervising teammates in a dynamic plant environment.

The candidate will oversee testing, quality control, and reporting while ensuring safety and efficiency. A PA DEP Wastewater License and related experience are preferred for this on-site, full-time position.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• College coursework in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or engineering preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience and progressive responsibility in the field of water treatment and distribution.

Responsibilities

• Monitor treatment plant functions by reading gauges, graphs, meters, and control panels. Establish, maintain, and control flow through the treatment process and within the distribution/collection system.
• Operate, maintain, control, and perform routine repair of plant equipment including preventative maintenance duties. Order/obtain needed parts and supplies for operations
• Assist and guide personnel in operations and maintenance of facilities and equipment
• Perform water quality sampling, testing and analysis to determine compliance with federal, state and company regulations
• Implement security measures at sites. Inspect buildings, grounds, and equipment for conformance to safety standards and security requirements

Skills

Lab duties

Pumps & panels

Regulatory knowledge

MS Office

CMMS

Education

High school diploma

College coursework in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or engineering

5+ years experience in water treatment and distribution

Tools

CMMS

MS Office

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!

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.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn , Facebook , X and Instagram .

Primary Role

Pennsylvania American Water is seeking a motivated and ambitious Lead Plant Operator to join our team in Claysville, PA! This critical role will be responsible for day-to-day operations at the wastewater treatment facility, including process monitoring, making control adjustments, compliance and regulatory reporting, and light maintenance on equipment.

The Lead Wastewater Treatment Operator operates and maintains wastewater purification systems to optimize operations and ensure regulatory compliance of plant. In this role, you will perform maintenance of equipment, quality control/testing and related day to day activities. This individual Is fully qualified to perform the most complex functions and lead the work of others.

Key Accountabilities

• Monitor treatment plant functions by reading gauges, graphs, meters, and control panels. Establish, maintain, and control flow through the treatment process and within the distribution/collection system. Assist with pressure flow studies, collect recorder
• Operate, maintain, control, and perform routine repair of plant equipment including preventative maintenance duties. Order/obtain needed parts and supplies for operations
• Assist and guide personnel in operations and maintenance of facilities and equipment
• Perform water quality sampling, testing and analysis to determine compliance with federal, state and company regulations
• Implement security measures at sites. Inspect buildings, grounds, and equipment for conformance to safety standards and security requirements

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of lab duties for water/wastewater facilities including: OBD's, phosphates, total solids, total suspended solids, pH, ammonia, nitrates, chlorine residual, fluoride, fecal coliform, bacti's, and temperature
• Knowledge of pumps and control panels
• Thorough knowledge of the layout, location and equipment characteristics of water/wastewaters systems and of the treatment plants
• Knowledge of the regulatory and legal environment of modern water and wastewater systems and water and wastewater treatment, including environmental law and contract law as applicable
• Must have broad knowledge of MS Office products, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Must understand the working principle behind a computerized maintenance management program

Experience/Education

• High school diploma or equivalent
• College course work in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or engineering preferred
• 5+ years’ experience and progressive responsibility in the field of water treatment and distribution

Certifications & Licenses

• Valid driver license
• DEP Wastewater License- Class A, E-Subclass 2,3 and 4 required
• Candidate must possess required licenses or have the ability to obtain within designated timeframe.

Work Schedule

• Full-time
• On-site
• Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm
• Overtime/on call responsibility for emergencies

Work Environment

• Work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• May be required to work in buildings, in pits, 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 and electrical equipment.
• Must be able to perform essential functions and meet the physical requirements for the position including:
  • Able to stand, walk, climb stairs, or sit for long periods of time
  • Able to wear SCBA and perform job functions in a hazardous environment
• Must be capable of traveling within service area.

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 are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.