Sr Technician, Maintenance & Relief Operator

American Water; Cape Charles (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Defined Contribution Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Medical

Prescription

Dental

Vision coverage

Disability

Paid time off

Life insurance

Voluntary benefits

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

American Water in Cape Charles, VA is seeking a Sr Technician, Maintenance & Relief Operator to perform skilled maintenance and operate treatment plant systems, ensuring continuous, compliant water and wastewater processes.

The role involves troubleshooting, equipment calibration, sampling, and regulatory compliance, with responsibilities including emergency actions, record-keeping, and occasional light construction to support reliable plant operations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must possess required license(s) for plant operations.
• 5+ years’ experience in mechanical, industrial, environmental, or utility work.
• Experience in servicing, maintaining, and repairing a wide variety of machinery and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, operate, and maintain treatment plant equipment.
• Monitor the treatment plant and adjust operations as needed.
• Perform sampling, testing, and laboratory analysis to ensure compliance.
• Maintain records, tools, and work equipment; perform custodial duties.
• Assume Plant Operator duties in the Operator's absence.

Skills

Pumps & equipment operation

Safety procedures (PPE, LOTO)

Emergency response protocols

CMMS / maintenance planning

Regulatory knowledge (water/wastewater

Lab testing interpretation

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Career Opportunities: Sr Technician, Maintenance & Relief Operator (110128)

Requisition ID110128-Posted07/14/2026-Direct Operations-VA-Cape Charles-Full Time - Regular

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.

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.

• 401(k)
• Defined Contribution Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• medical
• prescription
• dental
• vision coverage
• disability
• paid time off
• life insurance
• voluntary benefits
• health and wellness programs
• and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

The Sr. Technician, Maintenance & Relief Operator performs skilled maintenance and operates treatment plant systems to ensure continuous, compliant functioning of water/wastewater processes. This role independently troubleshoots equipment, conducts operational adjustments, and fulfills regulatory and sampling requirements using an active operator license.

Key Accountabilities

• Troubleshoot, install, operate, maintain, inspect, repair, and perform preventive maintenance duties on the equipment at the treatment plants including, but not limited to, pumps, blowers, motors, chemical feed equipment, screens, mixers, filters, flow meters, gauges, valves, wash water processing equipment and related instrumentation and control equipment.
• Calibrates and adjusts chemical feed and process equipment including instrumentation and control systems.
• Monitor the treatment plant and adjust as necessary to control their operations.
• Perform sampling, testing, and laboratory analysis to monitor process and determine compliance with Federal, State, and American Water’s standards.
• Perform necessary emergency operating procedures and take proper corrective action for continuous effective operation of the treatment plants.
• Maintain all necessary records, tools, and work equipment. Perform maintenance and custodial duties.
• Perform light construction projects as needed including carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical, masonry, etc. Specifies and initiates orders in COUPA for parts and supplies.
• Assume duties of Plant Operator in the Operator's absence.
• Perform delivery, loading, unloading, and placing of water/wastewater treatment chemicals into storage, including chemical receiving and inventory. Maintain grounds, buildings, roadways, screens, reservoirs, and rights-of-way.
• Responsible for daily well run and all associated processes on weekends or whenever assigned.
• Responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting sewage collection system and/or water distribution system.
• All other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills

• Intermediate knowledge of the operation of pumps, valves, motors, and other mechanical equipment related to plant operation and maintenance.
• Knowledge of required safety procedures (PPE, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, electrical safety).
• Knowledge of emergency response protocols for plant systems, equipment failures, or chemical incidents.
• Intermediate knowledge of scientific and water and/or wastewater purification concepts.
• Working knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), including work order documentation and maintenance planning.
• Understanding of state and federal water/wastewater regulations.
• Effective quantitative and analytical skills; attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate operational changes, equipment issues, and safety concerns.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, maintenance, and external contractors.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, engineering drawings, and equipment specifications.
• Advanced understanding of piping systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical safety.
• Skill in identifying mechanical, electrical, or control-system failures.
• Skill in adjusting control settings to maintain regulatory compliance and operational stability.
• Technical Proficiency: Good working knowledge of computer programs, databases, and software.
• Ability to perform and interpret laboratory and field test results. Skill in data interpretation skills for operational trends, lab results, and equipment performance.
• Skill in safe handling, storage, and transfer of hazardous chemicals. Skill in prioritizing tasks during alarms, failures, or emergency conditions

Experience/Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver license License requirements vary by state.
• Must possess required license(s) for plant operations.
• Technical school coursework in industrial maintenance, mechanical systems, electrical systems, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience in mechanical, industrial, environmental, or utility work.
• Experience in servicing, maintaining, and repairing a wide variety of machinery and equipment preferred.
• Experience in water and/or wastewater treatment.

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 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.

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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.