Operator I

aquaamerica; Schuylkill Township (PA); On-site; USD 52,348 - 56,481; Full time

Job summary

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is seeking an Operator I for Pickering Creek/Upper Merion/Ingrams Mill Treatment Plants. The role requires 12‑hour shifts and may require reporting to different sites as needed.

You will pursue a Waterworks Class A license within three years and must hold a CDL with HazMat endorsement; overtime and safety compliance are essential. Entry may require an Associate’s Degree or two years of related education, or two years of work in waterworks or similar fields.

Qualifications

• Must work 12-hour shifts and be willing to relocate/shift between sites as needed.
• Need to obtain Waterworks Class A license with required subclasses within 3 years.
• Associated tests, licensure, and safety requirements apply.
• Entry level may require an Associate’s Degree or equivalent experience; CDL is required.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain water treatment plant equipment and pumps.
• Perform mathematical calculations to determine chemical doses.
• Adhere to safety, PPE, and regulatory testing protocols.

Skills

Mathematical calculations

Mechanical skills

Shift work

Education

Associate’s Degree

Trade school

Experience in waterworks field

Tools

Waterworks license

CDL Class C

Hazardous Materials Endorsement

Pumps and instrumentation

Job description

OPERATOR I – Pickering Creek/Upper Merion/Ingrams Mill Treatment Plants

It must be understood that the person awarded the position must accept. Position requires shift work and requires employee moving to permanent shift position as Plant openings occur. Pickering Creek and Ingrams Mill work 12-hour shifts. New employees accepting a position at this plant are required to abide by the new schedule when covering shift.

Essential Duties

• The position is located at the Pickering Water Treatment Plant; however, applicant may also be required to report to either Ingrams or Upper Merion sites whenever necessary.
• The position requires the employee to obtain and maintain a Waterworks Operators Class A license with all associated subclasses required to operate the above plants. Employees have 3 years to obtain license. If after 3 years they have not obtained license, employee will be terminated.
• Waterworks license requirements will require passing written test, but actual license will not be required until experience requirements, i.e., years of actual work experience at the plant are met.
• Entry level employees will be required to have an Associate’s Degree, or 2 years trade school or similar education. In lieu of that, two years experience in waterworks field or similar field requiring use of mechanical, treatment, and/or mathematical skills.
• Position requires labor intensive work, including lifting requirements of 75 pounds.
• Position requires good mechanical skills as required in the repair/replacement of all plant equipment, including but not limited to pumps, instruments, chemical feed equipment, etc.
• Must be able to make mathematical calculations to determine chemical doses required for flow rates and proper treatment.
• Must be available for overtime as needed to maintain continuous plant operations.
• Applicants must have a valid US driver’s license. This job requires a Commercial Driver’s License, Class C, with a Hazardous Material Endorsement and the candidate awarded the job must obtain a CDL within the required time period.
• Will be required to perform as a member of the Hazmat Response Team if a team is maintained.

• Required to meet and follow all Aqua safety requirements dealing with hazardous chemical handling and PPE requirements.
• A written test will be given.

Additional Requirements

• Within 60 days of award of job, the employee must pass the required knowledge testing and receive the required learner’s permit.
• Within 120 additional days must have passed and secured a CDL with necessary endorsements.
• Failure to secure a CDL within 120 days will be cause for employee to leave job and secure a job which does not require a CDL.

Waterworks license requirements are that employee passes tests, and that license will be contingent upon experience requirements.

• Random drug and alcohol testing
• Reasonable suspicion testing
• Post accident testing involving a loss of life and/or citation for a moving violation
• Return to duty testing
• Bi-annual medical certification (physical examination)

To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals: Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship; Family members cannot work in the same department.

Hourly Rate

$38.91

Benefits and Pay

All employees hired or entering the bargaining unit on or after December 15, 2022, will receive four dollars ($4.00) per hour less than the classification wage rate. The wage reduction will be returned in one dollar ($1.00) increases once a year over a four (4) year period. Employee will receive annual contract increases.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 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. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1‑877‑271‑9012).

Interested applicants can apply online through Workday, however, they must also notify their supervisors in writing on or before Wednesday, May 20, 2026.