Plant Operator

American Water Co.; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water seeks a dedicated Water Treatment Plant Operator to operate and maintain the plant, ensuring safe, clean drinking water. You will manage chemical dosing, monitor processes, and record data to meet federal and state standards.

The role requires physical fitness and the ability to work shifts in a regulated utility environment. Based in Scranton, PA, this full-time on-site position offers growth in certifications and a structured operations team focused on continuous, reliable

Qualifications

• Knowledge of water purification processes and quality standards.
• Reading and following safety rules and instructions.
• Ability to obtain Waterworks Operator Certification within 13 years.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair plant equipment and perform routine maintenance.
• Control flow through water purification processes and distribution system.
• Manage chemical feed rates and monitor treatment performance.
• Record-keeping and water quality sampling to ensure compliance.
• Support emergency procedures to keep plant operations safe.

Skills

Water purification knowledge

Mathematical skills

Mechanical ability

Effective written and oral\ncommunic\u

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Technical college coursework in chemistry / environmental sciences / civil/environmental engineering

Course: Volume 1 - Water Treatment Plant Operation (UC Sacramento)

Tools

SCADA systems

Zeta meter for coagulant control

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.

To have active involvement in and make process control decisions associated with the operation and maintenance of water purification systems and related washwater processes.

Key Accountabilities

• Operate, maintain, control and perform routine repair of plant equipment including preventive maintenance duties.
• Establish, maintain and control flow through the water purification process and into and within the distribution system.
• Maintain process control through the water purification and washwater processes including the establishment, maintenance, calibration and adjustment of chemical feed rates necessary to optimize the process operation.
• Monitor the water purification plant and water distribution system and make operational control adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain all necessary records.
• Perform water quality sampling, testing and analysis to determine compliance with federal, state and PAWC’s standards.
• Loading, unloading, handling, placing into storage and batching water treatment plant chemicals.
• Operate and maintain raw water facilities including reservoir supply, transmission and pumping facilities.
• Perform general maintenance duties at water treatment plant and related facilities and other assigned duties.
• Provide assistance to other company employees, as directed by supervision.
• Perform necessary emergency operating procedures and take proper corrective action for continuous, effective operation of the
  water purification plant.
• Any other duties which are assigned

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of water purification processes, basic scientific concepts, water quality standards and regulations.
• Working knowledge of basic mechanical and automated control systems.
• Ability to obtain Waterworks Operators Certificate (Plant Specific) within one to three years, depending on class.
• Must adhere to company policies regarding mandatory shift coverage when required.
• Must possess a valid PA driver’s license.
• Communicate in an effective manner, both oral and written, with the general public and company personnel. Read and understand
  instructions, safety rules, etc.
• Mathematical skills sufficient to be able to calculate dosages, surface areas, volumes, weights, measures and algebraic formulas.
• Mechanical ability sufficient to operate pumps, valves, motors and other mechanical equipment related to plant operation and
  maintenance.
• Must cope with environmental conditions including contact with water, chemicals, fumes, odors and dust as a result of working with
  and handling potentially hazardous water treatment and laboratory chemicals. Minimum exposure to inclement weather mostly of
  short duration.
• Must be able to comply with continuing education requirements as needed for Operator certification renewal.
• Waterworks Operator's Certification in appropriate class is desirable.
• Experience with technically advanced computer control systems (SCADA) and advanced coagulant control using zeta meter is preferred.

Experience/Education

• High School graduate or state recognized education equivalency certificate.
• Technical college coursework and / or degree in chemistry, environmental sciences, civil or environmental engineering is preferred.
• Successful Completion of the following correspondence course; "Volume 1 - Water Treatment Plant Operation", offered by University of California at Sacramento.
• Previous employment in water treatment, hydrology or related environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, or analytical experience, is preferred.

Other

• Physical fitness- capable of lifting and/or carrying 50 lbs. or more on a frequent basis. Walking up and down stairs. Working in
  confined areas. Ability to wear a respirator.
• Ability to comply with the Company's attendance policies.

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.