Senior Operator, Water & Wastewater Treatment

American Water; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water is seeking a Senior Operator for Water & Wastewater Treatment in Virginia, MN. This skilled position involves the independent operation, monitoring, and maintenance of treatment facilities, ensuring regulatory compliance. The role requires a High School Diploma and 5+ years of relevant experience, including a strong knowledge of water treatment processes and safety practices. Candidates must be prepared for physical demands, including lifting up to 80 lbs. and working in varying conditions. Daily travel within the region may be necessary.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical, industrial, environmental, or utility work.
• Experience in wastewater treatment field.
• Experience in servicing, maintaining, and repairing machinery and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, adjust, and maintain treatment processes to ensure compliance.
• Collect samples and perform field and laboratory analyses.
• Respond to alarms and emergency conditions using established procedures.

Skills

Intermediate knowledge of safety practices of water and wastewater treatment

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills

Technical proficiency with computerized control systems

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

College coursework in biology, chemistry, environmental science or engineering

Tools

Laboratory analysis tools

Computerized control systems

Job description

Overview

The Senior Operator, Water & Wastewater Treatment is a licensed, skilled position responsible for the independent operation, monitoring, and maintenance of assigned water and wastewater treatment facilities to ensure safe, reliable, and regulatory compliant treatment of drinking water and wastewater. This role performs skilled operational duties including plant startup and shutdown, routine and nonroutine operational checks, process monitoring and adjustment, and troubleshooting of treatment systems and equipment. Responsibilities include operating and adjusting pumping systems, chemical feeding systems, physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes, sludge handling systems, auxiliary equipment, and associated control and monitoring systems. Work is performed with limited supervision under the direction of the Lead Operator or of local management.

Key Accountabilities

• Perform and oversee plant startup, shutdown, and routine and non‑routine operational checks of water and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Operate, monitor, adjust, and maintain treatment processes and systems to ensure efficient, safe, and regulatory‑compliant operations, including pumps, motors, chemical preparation and feeding systems, filtration, aeration, clarification, sludge handling, auxiliary equipment, and associated control and monitoring equipment.
• Regulate water, wastewater, and sludge flows through treatment processes in accordance with established operating procedures, permit requirements, and process conditions.
• Monitor, interpret, and respond to operating data including flows, pressures, chemical feeds, tank levels, pump station indicators, water quality parameters, and process control data.
• Maintain accurate and complete plant records, including operating logs, daily worksheets, laboratory and field test results, chemical feed data, flow measurements, temperatures, levels, and other process data; prepare and submit routine and special reports as required for regulatory compliance and operational tracking.
• Collect samples and perform field and laboratory analyses in support of process control, compliance monitoring, and troubleshooting; evaluate results and use data to inform operational decisions.
• Load, unload, and handle treatment chemicals safely in accordance with established procedures; maintain chemical inventory levels.
• Inspect mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment for proper operation; perform routine operational maintenance, lubrication, calibration, and adjustments; identify equipment deficiencies and coordinate advanced repairs with maintenance staff or contractors.
• Troubleshoot complex operational, process, and equipment issues; determine appropriate corrective actions and implement adjustments to maintain effective treatment performance.
• Respond to alarms, system upsets, and emergency conditions using sound judgment and established emergency response procedures.
• Conduct routine safety inspections; utilize required PPE; comply with lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and chemical‑handling protocols.
• Answer calls from the CSO and relay information to operations and leadership as needed.
• May provide guidance and on‑the‑job training to entry‑level or developing operators in plant operations, equipment care, safety practices, and laboratory procedures.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills

• Intermediate knowledge of the principles and safety practices of water and wastewater treatment, distribution, pumping, and collection systems as they apply to area of responsibility.
• Intermediate knowledge of scientific principles related to water and wastewater treatment and purification processes.
• Intermediate knowledge of mechanical, chemical, and biological treatment processes and associated equipment, including process interdependencies and operational impacts.
• Ability to perform laboratory analyses in accordance with approved methods and procedures (e.g., Standard Methods) and interpret results for operational decision‑making.
• Knowledge of required safety procedures, including PPE, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, electrical safety, and chemical handling.
• Knowledge of emergency response protocols related to treatment systems, equipment failures, and chemical incidents.
• Effective quantitative, analytical, and observational skills; strong attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including clear communication of operational conditions, equipment issues, and safety concerns.
• Strong problem‑solving, troubleshooting, and decision‑making skills in dynamic operating environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, maintenance, water quality staff, contractors, and regulatory partners.
• Intermediate understanding of piping systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, instrumentation, and electrical safety related to treatment facilities.
• Skill in identifying mechanical, electrical, and control‑system failures and making appropriate operational adjustments.
• Technical proficiency with computerized control systems, asset management systems, data entry platforms, and operational software.
• Ability to interpret laboratory results, process trends, and equipment performance data.
• Skill in safe handling, storage, and transfer of hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and respond effectively during alarms, failures, or emergency conditions.

Experience/Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• College course work in biology, chemistry, environmental science or engineering preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience in mechanical, industrial, environmental, or utility work.
• Experience in servicing, maintaining, and repairing a wide variety of machinery and equipment.
• Experience in wastewater treatment field.

Travel Requirements

• Daily travel within region may be required
• Work performed in both indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to chemicals, odors, noise, and varying weather conditions. Potential exposure to dust, pollen, chemicals, and sewage. The ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment is required.
• May be required to work in buildings, in pits, manholes, on scaffoldings or in confined spaces.
• May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, slippery surfaces, water/wastewater hazards, airborne/blood borne pathogens, and electrical equipment.
• Must be able to perform essential functions and meet the physical requirements of the position including ability to stand, climb stairs, and/ or walk and/or sit for long periods of time. Ability to safely lift, carry, push, pull, and move tools, equipment, and materials up to 80 lbs. as required. Involves crouching, stooping, and kneeling for extended or repeated periods. Must be able to safely drive a company vehicle for extended or intermittent periods in varying conditions. Frequently enters and exits vehicles.
• Overtime, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and/or on-call assignments required depending on operational needs.