System Operator

Aqua; New Garden Township (Chester County); On-site; USD 43,074 - 61,347; Full time

Job summary

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is hiring a maintenance-focused technician for wastewater facilities. You will work on mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing, and pump stations, ensuring safe operations and regulatory compliance. A valid license and several years of industrial maintenance experience are preferred.

The role involves hands-on duties, safety adherence, and the ability to coordinate supplies and paperwork while working across multiple sites in the region.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid US driver’s license required.
• Wastewater Class E collection system license required.
• Five (5) years of maintenance in an industrial environment preferred.
• An Associate’s degree or certification in mechanical or electrical competency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Be knowledgeable of maintenance work related to mechanical equipment and minor electrical equipment at wastewater plants and pump stations.
• Perform plumbing and piping work with materials including PVC, PE, copper, steel, and cast iron.
• Operate tools and equipment for plant and pump station work.
• Work on electrical components up to 240 V including wiring and testing components.
• Monitor operations of wastewater facilities and conduct testing and reporting for regulatory compliance.
• Implement process changes to improve performance and monitor collection system performance.
• Coordinate chemicals, fuel, parts and supplies for facilities.
• Maintain facility records, prints and manuals; generate work orders in the company software.
• Assist with safety procedures and provide operational support to other systems.
• Travel to multiple counties; company vehicle provided.

Skills

MS Office

Communication skills

Safety procedures

Lock-out/tag-out

Team player

Education

High school diploma

Valid US driver’s license

Wastewater Class E license

Associate degree or mechanical/electrical certification

Tools

Wastewater Class E license

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.

Essential Duties

• Be knowledgeable of maintenance work related to mechanical equipment and minor electrical equipment associated with wastewater treatment plants and pump stations.
• Must be capable of performing plumbing and piping work with all types of materials including PVC, PE, copper, steel, and cast iron.
• Position requires good mechanical skills as required in the repair/replacement of all plant equipment, including but not limited to pumps, instruments, chemical feed equipment, etc.
• Must be capable of operating all tools and equipment necessary for the completion of all plant and pump station related work.
• Must be able to work on electrical components up to 240 V including wiring power to motors, control wiring, and test basic electrical and electronic components of a system.
• Monitor Operations of assigned wastewater facilities. Conduct testing and analysis required for proper operation and reporting for the facilities and to maintain compliance with regulatory permits.
• Responsible for making and implementing recommendations regarding process changes and adjustments at facilities to improve operational performance.
• Monitor collection system performance and pump stations. Make recommendations on improvements and upgrades as needed.
• Coordinate of all chemicals, fuel, parts and supplies necessary for proper operation of the facilities.
• Maintain facility records, prints, equipment manufacture manuals as well as all operating data.
• Accurately and timely generate and complete work orders using company software platform.
• Assist management and supervisors in developing and administering applicable safety procedures at facilities, as required.
• Monitoring PLC network to review automated operation of wastewater facilities.
• Assists with other tasks or projects as assigned.
• The hourly rate of pay is $37.90 per hour*. All employees hired or entering the bargaining unit on or after April 1, 2021 will receive three dollars ($3.00) per hour less than the classification wage rate. The wage reduction will be returned in one‑dollar ($1.00) increases once a year over a three (3) year period. Employees will receive annual contract increases.

Qualifications

• At a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid US driver’s license required.
• Required Licensing: Wastewater Class E collection system license.
• Five (5) years of maintaining equipment and systems in an industrial environment is preferred.
• An Associate’s degree or certification in mechanical or electrical competency is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Proficient in MS Office or related software required; daily use of computer, data entry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal customers.
• Required to meet and follow all Aqua safety requirements dealing with any hazards including chemical, electrical, and PPE requirements, and follow lock‑out and tag‑out instructions.
• Must be willing to be trained and able to provide additional operational support to other water/wastewater systems.
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi‑tasking environment.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands

• May be subject to extreme temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, fumes, dusts, mists, gases and/or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Required to be on‑call on a weekly rotational basis. In addition, must be available to assist with after‑hours emergencies at all other times as needed.
• Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents.
• This position may operate in several areas including Chester, Bucks, Delaware, Berks, and Montgomery counties which includes the geographic areas of West Grove, Cochranville, Kennett Square, East Bradford Township, Thornbury Township, Willistown Township, East Whiteland Township, Tredyffrin Township East Brandywine Township, Chester Springs, Solebury Township, Worcester Township, Upper Merion Township, Limerick Township, Gilbertsville, Douglas Township, New Garden Township, and North Heidelberg.
• Company vehicle will be provided.

Interested applicants apply online on Workday on or before Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affitive Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered‑veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

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).

Family Guidelines

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.