Utility Operations Manager

American Water Co.; Richmond, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water in Richmond, IN, is seeking an experienced Utility Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day water and/or wastewater operations in the service territory. The role focuses on site inspections, scheduling, capital projects, and contractor management to ensure safe, reliable service.

The ideal candidate has 2–5 years in operations, a relevant degree, and relevant licenses/certifications. This on-site leadership role emphasizes safety, compliance, and performance improvement within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 2-5 years experience in operations.
• Distribution System Large (DSL) license preferred.
• Water and/or wastewater certification is a plus.
• Field utility experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise regional construction, operations, and maintenance within established budget limitations.
• Ensures policies, procedures, programs and performance are adhered to for operational efficiency and profitability.
• Train and develop personnel in operational integrity (quality, environment, reliability, health, safety, security, etc.).
• Obtain all required permits, licenses, rights of way for compliance.
• May be involved in customer service related issues.
• Implement and foster coaching and development of employees in respective areas.
• Support business development in operational analysis, pricing, and integration of water and wastewater opportunities.

Skills

Regulated water knowledge

Operational processes

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

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!

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.

Indiana American Water is seeking a strong operational leader to join our team in Richmond, IN. The Utility Operations Managerwill perform a variety of activities that support utility operations in the service territory including site inspections, distributing and scheduling work assignments, working on capital improvement projects, partnering and managing contractors and more. Our ideal candidate will have people management experience and be well-versed with utility procedures and practices.

The Utility Operations Manager supervises the day-to-day water and/or wastewater operations in accordance with Company policies and procedures and all applicable governmental laws and regulations.

Key Accountabilities

• Supervise and coordinate regional construction, operations, and maintenance within established budget limitations. (10%)
• Assurespolicies, procedures, programs and performance are adhered to ensure thecontinuing and increasing operational efficiency, effectiveness, andprofitability. (10%)
• Train and develop personnel in proper operationalintegrity (quality, environment, reliability, health, safety, security,etc.) is maintained. (10%)
• Obtains all required permits, licenses,rights of way, etc. required for proper compliance. (10%)
• May beinvolved in customer service related issues. (10%)
• Implement and fosterthe coaching and development of employees, including idea generation,within respective functional areas. (10%)
• Support the BusinessDevelopment function in the operational analysis pricing and integrationof water and wastewater business opportunities in both the regulated andnon-regulated markets.
• Supports manger to ensure effective peoplemanagement policies and practices are developed and implemented (e.g.,time and attendance, workforce management, etc.) and ensure resourcesare developed and deployed appropriately.
• Continue to reinforce theimportance of developing a diverse workforce.
• Work collaboratively withother functional leads to mitigate business risks. Implement effectivecommunications at all levels of our operations.
• Provide effective leadership that will enhance our abilities to be flexible to changingbusiness environments.
• Contribute to effective communication bylistening and providing constructive feedback; supporting the creationof an open and honest work environment; cascading and sharing knowledgeand information relevant to other members of the team and colleaguesacross the business. (40%)

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of the regulated water business and the regulations impacting the business
• Knowledge of process and operational areas

Experience/Education

• Bachelors or equivalent work related experience
• Minimum 2-5 years experience in operations
• Distribution System Large (DSL) license preferred
• Water and/or wastewater certification is a plus
• Field utility experience is highly preferred

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.