Sr. Water Treatment Operator

American Water; Owenton (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water seeks a Sr. Water Treatment Operator to lead day-to-day operations at a surface water facility in Owenton, KY. The role involves operating and maintaining treatment equipment, monitoring chemical dosages, and ensuring compliance with permit requirements.

You will supervise staff, implement SOPs, perform tests, and address issues promptly while adhering to safety policies and regulatory guidelines. Local travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Kentucky Class IV Water Treatment license is required.
• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Experience operating water treatment facilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and manage day-to-day treatment operations at the surface water facility.
• Operate and maintain treatment equipment to meet permit and operating requirements.
• Monitor chemical dosages and adjust process controls as needed.
• Collect samples, perform field tests, and ensure safe chemical handling.
• Enforce standard operating procedures and drive corrective actions when test results are off.
• Provide guidance to subordinate staff and ensure safety practices are followed.

Skills

Water treatment operations

Process control & chemical dosing

Safety compliance

Team leadership

Problem solving

MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Visio

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Title

Sr. Water Treatment Operator

Posting Start Date

9/29/26

Primary Role

Kentucky American Water is seeking a full-time, water treatment professional to join our team. The Sr. Water Treatment Operator will lead, support, and manage the day-to-day treatment operations at our surface water facility in Owenton, KY.

The Sr. Water Treatment Operator operates and maintains water treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in facility to permit and operational requirements. In this role, you are fully qualified to perform the most complex functions and lead the work of others.

• This position requires a Kentucky Water Treatment Class IV license.

Key Accountabilities

• Safety – demonstrate and enforce practices that are consistent with a goal of zero accidents and injuries; adhere to all safety policies and procedures; assist in operations of office with required focus on all aspects of safety. (15%)
• Training – employee orientation, departmental operating procedures, Safety, OSHA and Quality Training; team leader/supervisory training; Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Level I and II. (10%)
• Perform field tests to pace chemical dosages for process controls or alter unit processes; Collects samples according to schedule; prepares chemical solutions and services automatic samplers; monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder. (15%)
• Efficiently operate all equipment in facility – pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, conveyors, blowers, belt presses, processing filters, etc. (15%)
• Ensure all operating personnel implement standard operating procedures for all associated plant process; takes corrective action when test results are outside acceptable ranges, including changing process control, biological system, and feed rates of chemicals. (20%)
• Responds to requests, inquiries, or complaints; promptly inform Area or Facility Manager of potential risk situations.
• Tasks performed by subordinates are periodically checked for quality and accuracy. (25%)

Knowledge/Skills

• Extensive knowledge of the objectives, equipment, and operations of modern water and wastewater treatment plants
• Extensive knowledge of methods and materials of water and wastewater systems
• Thorough knowledge of the layout, location and equipment characteristics of water and wastewater systems and of the treatment plants
• Knowledge of the regulatory and legal environment of modern water and wastewater systems and water and wastewater treatment, including environmental law and contract law as applicable
• Must have broad knowledge of MS Office products, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access
• Must understand the working principle behind a computerized maintenance management program

Experience/Education

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Kentucky Class IV Water Treatment license required

Work Environment

• May be required to work indoor or outdoor work during seasonal heat and cold or other adverse weather conditions
• Standing 25%; walking 75% for as many as 5 miles per shift; Required to occasionally stoop, kneel or crouch and enter confined spaces; may be required to use ladders or stairs
• Able to lift or move up to 50-60 pounds
• May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, slippery surfaces, water/wastewater hazards and electrical equipment

Travel Requirements

• Local travel within service territory

Work Schedule

• Full-time, On-Site
• Monday-Thursday, 10 p.m. until 8 a.m.

Competencies

• Plans & Aligns
• Decision Making
• Communicates Effectively
• Builds Networks
• Action Oriented