Wastewater Operator OIT U511

American Water; Pacific Grove (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water seeks a Wastewater Operator OIT U511 in California to manage start-up, operation, and monitoring of plant equipment, including pumping systems, chemical feeders, and control systems. You will perform preventive maintenance, handle chemicals, maintain records, monitor water quality, and coordinate with supervisors.

The role requires a high school diploma and a valid driver’s license; CDL preferred.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Start-up, shut-down, and routine operations of plant equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance including lubrication and adjustments.
• Load and unload chemicals using hand tools or equipment.
• Carry out corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, valves, and telemetry.
• Maintain operating logs, chemical inventories, and SCADA data.
• Monitor flows, pressures, chemical feeds, and water quality indicators.
• Conduct Water Quality sampling and field lab testing as required.
• Drive company vehicle and follow safety procedures.

Skills

Oral and written instructions

Physical and mechanical abilities

MS Office Suite (Word & Excel)

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Wastewater Operator OIT U511

Posting Start Date: 9/25/26

Job Description:

Position Information

Posted Range:
$36.72/hour

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, 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

• 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.

Work Environment

• 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.

Competencies

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