Operations Team Leader

Aqua Virginia; White Haven (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, seeks an Operations Team Leader for the White Haven Division to oversee water and wastewater facilities. You will supervise operators, plan maintenance, manage budgets, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance across assigned sites.

Primary responsibilities include staffing, training, performance reviews, and collaboration with engineering to deliver capital projects while maintaining service reliability for our communities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading operations teams with a safety emphasis.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and cost control skills.
• Proven ability to supervise, train, and develop staff.
• Knowledge of water/wastewater utility operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation, maintenance, staffing and safety for water/wastewater facilities.
• Manage budgets, work orders, training, and performance reviews.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and coordinate with regulators and stakeholders.
• Monitor assets, inventories, and coordination with engineering for projects.
• Lead safety programs, incident investigations, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Safety compliance

Budget management

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or 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 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.

Build a rewarding career at Aqua as an Operations Team Leader reporting to the Area Manager of the White Haven Division. This role has primary responsibility for facilities in the White Haven Division and secondary responsibility for facilities in the Honesdale Division.

This role oversees the operation, maintenance, staffing, safety, budgeting, business activities, and employee performance of assigned water and wastewater facilities. Water assets include well stations, treatment plants and equipment, mains, valves, fire hydrants, service lines, meters, and other current or future water treatment and distribution assets. Wastewater assets include treatment plants and equipment, lift stations, manholes, equalization basins, and other collection system components.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Supervise facility operators, seasonal employees, and contractors, emphasizing safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Interview and hire employees, set high-performance standards, and manage performance in accordance with applicable HR policies and procedures. Oversee onboarding and training for new employees.
• Hold regular staff meetings to share company updates and information, discuss ideas for continuous improvement, and support a high-performing culture.
• Manage the company's work order process for the assigned division. Regularly review work order status, ensure timely closeout, and correct miscoded orders.
• Implement safety policies and procedures. Inspect job sites, operating facilities, and equipment for compliance and promptly address deficiencies.
• Develop and implement training programs that maintain staff competency in assigned roles.
• Conduct staff performance reviews and manage performance. Review six-month probationary evaluations for operations personnel.
• Process invoices, purchase requisitions, and other accounting controls in compliance with budgets and established work processes.
• Oversee operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance in the assigned area. Investigate system upsets, determine corrective actions, and direct the required operational response.
• Monitor and maintain inventories of necessary parts, tools, chemicals, and other equipment.
• Coordinate with other operational groups to share resources and meet workload demands.
• Oversee maintenance of system assets by employees and contractors, including replacements, relocations, and repairs of system appurtenances. Ensure all work meets company and regulatory standards.
• Manage the operations budget and support Engineering in administering capital budgets for water and wastewater. Prepare and monitor expense budgets, explain variances, and collaborate with Engineering and senior management to fund and complete capital projects.
• Maintain operational databases and reports, including compliance sampling and data submissions, hydrant flushing, valve exercising, water loss, production, and Pennsylvania One Call activities.
• Partner with Engineering to ensure construction projects meet company specifications, are properly documented, and are completed on schedule.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with public utilities, municipalities, the Pennsylvania DEP, and local fire departments. Represent the company in meetings with township, county, and regulatory agencies regarding construction, maintenance, and other company business.
• Stay informed about regulations affecting utility operations. Assess the operational impact of regulatory changes and recommend appropriate actions.
• Use required company software proficiently after training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This position works cl