Plant Supervisor - Well Operations

Essential Utilities, Inc.; Ridley Township (PA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Essential Utilities, Inc. operates Aqua, Peoples, and Delta brands, delivering water, wastewater, and natural gas services. A Plant Supervisor is needed in Pennsylvania to oversee operations staff, coordinate with managers, and ensure reliable facility operations across surface water plants, wells, and lift stations.

The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, water quality optimization, and coordination with the Laboratory Manager while supporting the ONE-PA initiative and on-call duties.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; technical associate degree preferred.
• 3–5 years in water treatment with supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania drinking laws and regulations.
• PA Class A Water license preferred; must obtain within 2 years.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Proficient with MS Excel; familiarity with GIS, LIMS, SAP.

Responsibilities

• Supervise operations staff and coordinate with managers.
• Oversee well staff, sampling, disinfection, and distribution system treatment.
• Maintain regulatory compliance and reporting.
• Manage capital projects and inventory.
• On-call 24/7 for emergencies.
• Monitor water quality data and ensure safety.

Skills

Communication skills

Excel skills

Computer literacy

Driver's license

Education

High School Diploma

Associate degree preferred

Tools

GIS

LIMS

SAP

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.

An opening exists for a Plant Supervisor to support our water and wastewater facilities in Pennsylvania.

This role is responsible for supervising operations staff, managing vendors, and coordinating with operational managers to ensure reliable facility operations for surface water plants, wells, pump stations, wastewater plants, and lift stations, and other company facilities as assigned. A critical aspect of this position is coordinating the daily operations of the well staff, supervision of water sampling programs, disinfection of mains and storage tanks, and the operations of distribution system treatment. This position must also maintain regulatory expertise in order to recommend improvements that would optimize water quality, operations, and ensure compliance with future regulations impacting water quality.

General Functions

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Supervise well operators daily functions which includes completing required visits at wells/tanks/boosters, performing dosing calculations, ensuring adequate chemical at appropriate concentrations as well as compliance sampling and performance monitoring.
• Work closely with staff to resolve monitoring and control issues and to ensure all modifications are tested and functional.
• Compile records and maintain data as needed for reporting purposes and company analysis.
• Order and maintain inventory of supplies for areas of oversite.
• Manage related capital projects, including coordinating projects with various departments and outside contractors; and assist in determining long range capital projects.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance of water quality monitoring equipment and chemical pumps.
• Manage assigned staff for scheduling, administrative matters, performance management, and quality of assigned work.
• Monitor and track water quality data and compliance in the distribution system.
• Ensure the operation, maintenance, and optimization of treatment equipment in the distribution (e.g. tank mixers, RCS, THM removal systems, and monitoring equipment).
• Evaluate water quality and regulatory impacts of capital improvements, new sources, or treatment changes and oversee activities related to simultaneous compliance review.
• Coordinate location and frequency for sampling points with Laboratory Manager and maintain sampling plans as required to maintain regulatory compliance.
• Provide support to operational groups throughout the state in support of the ONE-PA Initiative.
• Serve in an On-Call rotation with 24/7 availability to handle emergencies that may arise.
• Responsible for adherence to all Aqua safety and health policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• High School Diploma (or equivalent); completion of an Associate degree (or higher) in a technical field of study is preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the field, with preference given to candidates with direct management or supervisory experience in water treatment operations and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of Pennsylvania State and Federal drinking laws and regulations.
• Possession of Pennsylvania Class A Water license is preferred. Must obtain within 2 years.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Skilled in MS Excel, and knowledge of or ability to learn GIS, LIMS, WIMS, SAP and other relevant software programs.
• Must be computer literate and proficient at using Microsoft Word, Excel, email, and learn and proficiently use Company based software.
• Valid driver’s license is required

Budgetary Responsibilities

Responsibility for budgeting of special projects as directed. Recommend equipment and/or other improvements that should be included or considered for annual operating and capital budget preparation. Assist in the management of annual capital budget.

Personnel Responsibilities

Direct supervision of union and/or non-union employees.

Reports to

Production Manager

Working Conditions

• 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, or as agreed to by manager
• Respond to / attend periodic after-hour emergencies and/or meetings.
• On call and available 24/7 to handle any problems that may arise.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / affirm? (appears) Sustainable. Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Aff…?
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).
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 including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.