Operations Team Leader

Aqua America, Inc.; DuBois (Clearfield County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Aqua America, Inc. seeks a dedicated supervisor to manage a team for our water and wastewater operations in DuBois. Responsibilities include overseeing facility operators, ensuring compliance with safety policies, and managing performance reviews.

The ideal candidate should possess a degree in business or engineering, with experience in utility operations. Strong communication and customer service skills are essential. Join Aqua America to contribute to environmental protection and career growth in a supportive workplace.

Qualifications

• Experience in water/wastewater utility operations and/or supervisory experience required.
• Must obtain required Pennsylvania DEP Water and Wastewater Operator certifications within four years from date of hire.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Supervises a team including facility operators and contractors, focusing on safety and compliance.
• Conducts regular meetings with staff for updates and improvement ideas.
• Implements Aqua safety policies and procedures.
• Processes invoices and ensures compliance with budgets.
• Supervises operations of water and wastewater systems.

Skills

Customer service skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of water/wastewater infrastructure

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Education

Associate or bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field

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 work on the front lines with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we deliver 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 the 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 and career growth opportunities. We advocate 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Supervises a team that includes facility operators, seasonal employees, and contractors while focusing on safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Interviews, hires, establishes high-performance standards, and manages performance following all applicable HR policies and procedures; oversees onboarding and training of new employees.
• Conducts regular meetings with assigned staff for company updates, continuous improvement ideas, and shares information in line with high-performing culture initiatives.
• Manages the company’s work‑order process for the assigned division, reviewing status regularly and taking action to ensure close‑out per requirements and reclassification if miscoded.
• Implements Aqua safety policies and procedures, reviewing job sites and company operating sites for safety compliance and addressing deficiencies.
• Establishes and implements training programs for staff to ensure continued competency in assigned roles.
• Performs performance reviews and performance management of staff, including six‑month probationary evaluations for operations personnel.
• Processes invoices, purchase requisitions, and other accounting controls to ensure compliance with budgets and work processes.
• Supervises the operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of the Treasure Lake water and wastewater systems, investigating system upsets, determining corrective action, and directing operational staff accordingly.
• Monitors and maintains materials inventory of required equipment (parts, tools, chemicals, etc.) and coordinates with other operational groups to share resources to meet work demands.
• Maintains the system’s assets for both employee and contracted work, including replacement, relocation, and repair of system appurtenances, ensuring all activities comply with company and regulatory agency standards.
• Responsible for the operations budget and assists the engineering department in managing the capital budget for water and wastewater priorities, preparing and monitoring expense budgets and providing variance explanations.
• Maintains databases that track and support operations, including reporting on compliance‑related activities such as sampling, data submission, hydrant flushing, valve exercising, water loss, production, and Pennsylvania One Call system.
• Partners with the area engineering department to ensure construction projects meet company specifications and are documented and completed on schedule.
• Builds and maintains close working partnerships with area public utilities, municipalities, Pennsylvania DEP, and local fire departments, representing the company in meetings with township, county, and regulatory agencies to coordinate projects and other business.
• Maintains awareness of all regulations affecting the utilities and their operations, identifies regulatory changes and their operational impacts, and makes recommendations.
• Must proficiently use company software necessary after training.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, construction management, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in water/wastewater utility operations and/or supervisory experience required.
• Must obtain required Pennsylvania DEP Water and Wastewater Operator certifications within four (4) years from date of hire.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of excavation and work zone safety.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; communicates effectively, clearly, concisely, and professionally.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine the proper course of action.
• Ability to independently 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, dust, mists, gases, and/or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to see, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.
• Regular visits to the Western PA divisions required.
• This position supervises on‑call personnel.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is an Equal Opportunity / affirmative action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, 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. If an applicant needs to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1‑877‑271‑9012).