Wastewater Operator OIT U511

American Water Co.; Pacific Grove (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k)

Paid time off

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

American Water Co. seeks a Wastewater Operator to manage start-up, shut-down, and routine operations of plant equipment, including chemical handling and telemetry systems. You will perform preventive maintenance, maintain records, and monitor flows, pressures, and water quality.

The role requires safety compliance and regular water sampling with field testing as needed. Ideal candidates have a high school diploma, a valid driver's license, and at least 1 year of mechanical or utility experience;

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of mechanical, utility, or manufacturing experience preferred.
• Valid driver's license required; CDL preferred.
• Must obtain Wastewater Operator Grade I within 12 months and Grade II within 30 months.

Responsibilities

• Start-up, shut-down, and routine operations of plant equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance, lubrication, and adjustments.
• Load and unload chemicals using appropriate equipment.
• Maintain plant records and monitor water quality indicators.
• Conduct water quality sampling and field lab tests as needed.
• Order chemicals, parts, and tools; conduct safety inspections.

Skills

Oral and written instructions

Physical and mechanical abilities

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Valid driver's license

CDL license preferred

Wastewater Operator certification I

Wastewater Operator certification II

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

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! 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.

This position may be eligible for annual incentive pay and contracted increases as determined by the collective bargaining agreement,and you will have the opportunity for continued salary growth.

In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, EmployeeStock 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!

• #LI-Onsite
• #LI-MR23

Primary Role

• Start-up, shut-down, routine operations, and periodic operating checks of plant equipment, to include but not be limited to pumping systems, chemical feeders, auxiliary equipment, and measuring and control systems.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, such as lubrication, operating adjustments, cleaning, and painting equipment.
• Load and unload chemicals either by hand or using chemical-handling equipment, i.e. hand trucks, hoists and/or chemical transfer pumps.
• Perform corrective maintenance on plant mechanical equipment and telemetry, i.e. chemical feed pumps, motors, and valves.
• Maintain plant records, including operating logs, daily diaries, chemical inventories, data logs and SCADA data/trends.
• Monitor the status of plant operating guidelines, such as flows, pressures, chemical feeds, levels and water quality indicators.
• Performs regular Water Quality sampling, including but not limited to bacteriological, organic and inorganic, point of entry, and process sampling (turbidity, chlorine residuals, pH, etc.) as needed and field lab testing as required.
• Order chemicals, parts, and tools.
• Conduct safety inspections, follow safety rules for plant operations, and also participate in safety tailgate meetings.
• Communicate effectively with other operators and supervisors on the technical level expected for the position.
• Make arithmetic calculations to determine chemical feed rates, flow quantities, detention and contact times, and hydraulic loadings as required for plant operations.
• Performs other similar work which he/she may be called upon, and any other work as necessary to satisfactorily complete the job which he/she has been assigned.
• Drives a company vehicle and operates equipment according to established safety procedures and policies.

Normal Work Schedule

• Forty (40) hours per week being five (5) consecutive days of eight (8) hours each, exclusive of lunch periods.
• The employee is required to work rotating shifts and weekends and is subject to 24-hour call out.

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to carry out oral and written instructions.
• Requires physical and mechanical abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word and Excel highly desirable.

Experience/Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• One year of mechanical, utility, or manufacturing experience preferred
• Valid driver's license required, CDL license preferred

Certifications & Licenses

• Any person hired transferred or promoted to the position of Wastewater Operator must take and pass the Wastewater Operator Grade I certification as provided by the applicable regulatory agency, within one year of employment or transfer or promotion into the position and must obtain a Wastewater Grade II certification within thirty (30) months of the employment or transfer date, subject to the requirements of the applicable regulatory agency.
• Must have and maintain an appropriate valid California Driver’s license.
• Must have and maintain Class B with tanker endorsement within two years of hire or reclassification date but is desired upon time of awarding the position.
• Physical demands include, but not limited to standing, climbing, walking, lifting, bending, pulling, pushing, grasping, reaching, stooping, crouching, sitting, etc.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move over 100 pounds.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, etc.
• May require working in trenches, tanks and/or elevated areas.

Other

• Materials Used: various cleaning compounds, materials, chemicals, and tools used in the treatment of wastewater.
• Cleaning Compounds Used: solvents and everyday cleaning supplies.
• Chemicals Used: Treatment chemicals including but not limited to: Ferric Chloride, Sodium Hypochlorite, Sodium Hydroxide, Zinc ortho-Phosphate, and various polymers.
• Equipment/Tools Used: All applicable equipment needed to perform the job function including, but not limited to small hand tools, calibration and testing equipment, and any other tools necessary to perform and complete the duties of the job.

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.