Sr Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician

American Water Co.; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 77,366,000 - 83,097,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water in Champaign, IL is seeking a Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician to join our team.

This on-site role focuses on sampling, testing, and ensuring compliance of drinking water and wastewater systems to protect public health and the environment. The successful candidate will perform routine analyses, manage sample custody, interpret results, and support lab operations, with two vacancies available and a structured benefits package described in the posting.

Qualifications

• Associate degree preferred; HS diploma or GED required.
• 2–4 years experience in water, wastewater, lab, or environmental compliance preferred.
• Lab experience highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct sampling, shipping, and analysis to ensure compliance with drinking water and wastewater regulations.
• Continuously evaluate treatment processes and results to maintain water quality.
• Identify issues and initiate actions to mitigate environmental violations.
• Monitor, calibrate, and troubleshoot analyzers and lab equipment.
• Organize lab supplies and assist in training staff on concepts.

Skills

Basic chemistry

QA/QC programs

GLP

Regulatory knowledge

Word, Excel, Access

Water/wastewater treatment

Multi-tasking

Education

Associate's degree preferred

High School diploma or GED required

Tools

Word

Excel

Access

Job description

Sr Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician

Job Title: Sr Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician

Posting Start Date: 8/31/26

Requisition ID: 110311

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! 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.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Position Information

Posted range: $27-$29/hour

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.

In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus 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

Illinois American Water is seeking a Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician to join our team in Champaign, IL. Ensuring our product is safe, healthy, and reliable for our customers and the community is our constant priority. As the Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician, you will play a critical role in executing critical sampling and testing practices. The winning candidate will have lab experience and good lab practices in order to demonstrate knowledge of regulatory requirements.

The Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician is responsible for collecting samples from various treatment plants and distribution system, performing routine water and wastewater analyses, sample custody, data entry, recordkeeping, and ordering supplies. You will interpret water quality results and initiate chemical dosage changes to treatment process. In addition, you will troubleshoot lab equipment and basic lab equipment maintenance.

In this role, you will be responsible for organizing functions and activities related to environmental management and water quality for assigned facilities. The Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician investigates water quality complaints in the field and determines course of action needed. You will help maintain all applicable lab certifications, accreditations, or approvals to conduct compliance and process quality control work. You will help us adhere to policies, practices, and programs to ensure environmental compliance.

Please note that we are hiring two (2) vacancies for this position.

Key Accountabilities

• Conduct sampling, shipping, and/or analysis, as required, to ensure compliance with federal and state drinking water and wastewater regulations, company approved water quality standards, and special projects
• Continuously evaluate water/wastewater treatment processes/analytical results, and recommend modifications to maintain or improve water quality
• Identify potential issues and problems and initiate responsive actions and mitigate environmental violations
• Monitor/ calibrate and troubleshoot analyzers, equipment, etc. to ensure established standards of performance and accuracy are maintained
• Monitor and order lab and sample collection supplies (10%)
• Assist in training of other employees with regards to water quality and environmental concepts (5%)

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of basic chemistry and laboratory techniques and QA/QC programs
• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements. Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Access
• Knowledge of federal and state environmental standards and regulations and understanding of current environmental legislation and regulations
• Regulatory knowledge of proper lab analytical testing methods
• Must understand principles of water and/or wastewater treatment and be able to troubleshoot systems
• Multi-tasking, utilize a variety of software and apps, computer skills

Experience/Education

• Associate's degree preferred, High School diploma or GED required
• Minimum two (2) to four (4) years experience in water, wastewater, laboratory, or environmental compliance preferred
• Lab experience is highly preferred

Travel Requirements

• Local (80%) and regional 2-3 hours away (20%)

Other Job Requirements

• Key Interfaces: Water Quality Supervisor or higher management person, Field Operations, Production, Central lab staff
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time
• Ability to lift 35 lbs
• Stairs required
• Must be able to distinguish colors to conduct testing using normal colorimetric methods

Work Schedule

• Full-time, On-site
• Monday-Friday, daytime hours
• On-call responsibility (rotating)

Work Environment

• Laboratory, Indoor/outdoor, production/office environments

Competencies

Plans & Aligns Decision Making Communicates Effectively Builds Networks Action Oriented

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