Water Operator

Little Leaf Farms; McAdoo (PA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Leaf Farms is seeking a Water Operator to monitor and maintain greenhouse water treatment, irrigation, and distribution systems. You will analyze data, troubleshoot issues, and ensure water quality and consistent irrigation delivery.

You will work with SCADA/HMI systems, perform preventive maintenance, document actions, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to optimize reliability and efficiency in a fast-paced greenhouse operation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Mechanical aptitude and interest in water systems and greenhouse production.
• Ability to interpret numerical readings, trends, graphs, alarms, and process data; investigate a problem beyond its symptoms.
• Comfort using computers, tablets, digital controls, and electronic records.
• Ability to collect and communicate accurate information, work independently, and escalate when needed.
• Willingness to learn water treatment, irrigation, process controls, and how water quality affects plant growth.
• Ability to work safely in an active greenhouse and industrial environment and perform hands-on inspections and maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor greenhouse water treatment, irrigation, filtration, disinfection, dosing, storage, and distribution systems.
• Monitor pH, EC, ORP, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pressure, flow, tank levels, UV performance and other indicators.
• Use greenhouse control systems to review live status, alarms, setpoints, and historical trends; identify deviations and corrective actions.
• Inspect and service pumps, valves, filters, and sensing equipment; maintain water systems.
• Support advanced treatment and water recovery systems as assigned.
• Investigate problems; develop likely causes and test them safely for root cause.
• Maintain logs, inspection records, and clear handoffs for the next shift.
• Communicate equipment issues and water-quality concerns to affected teams.
• Cross-train across greenhouse areas to support operations.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Data interpretation

SCADA/HMI familiarity

Computer literacy

Safety awareness

Independent work

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Postsecondary education or technical training in water systems/engineering

Tools

SCADA

HMI

Building automation

Job description

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Water Operator monitors, operates, troubleshoots, and maintains the systems that treat, condition, disinfect, and deliver water throughout the greenhouses. The role combines field operation, mechanical troubleshooting, process monitoring, and data analysis to maintain reliable irrigation delivery and consistent water quality.

Operators use control-system trends, field measurements, and equipment inspections to recognize abnormal conditions, investigate causes, and understand how adjustments may affect downstream systems and plant production.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operate and monitor greenhouse water treatment, irrigation, filtration, disinfection, dosing, storage, and distribution systems.
• Monitor pH, EC, ORP, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pressure, flow, tank and basin levels, UV performance, and other process indicators. Verify unusual readings with field measurements and direct inspection.
• Use greenhouse control systems to review live status, alarms, setpoints, irrigation events, and historical trends. Identify deviations from normal performance and confirm the effect of corrective actions.
• Inspect and service pumps, valves, filters, UV and ozone equipment, chemical dosing and fertilizer systems, tanks, sensors, piping, and irrigation components.
• Support operation of advanced treatment and water recovery systems, including ultrafiltration, softening, reverse osmosis, and related equipment where assigned.
• Investigate mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control, and water-quality problems. Develop likely causes, test them safely, and help determine root causes.
• Clean, calibrate, and verify sensors, probes, flow meters, transmitters, and dosing equipment according to established procedures.
• Perform preventive maintenance, cleaning, routine service, and minor repairs within training and authorization.
• Make operational adjustments within established procedures. Consider downstream effects and *escalate* conditions that require additional technical or management support.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, inspection records, chemical-use records, maintenance documentation, and clear handoffs for the next shift.
• Communicate equipment issues, water-quality concerns, abnormal trends, and operational changes to water operations, growing, maintenance, and other affected teams.
• Support trials, commissioning, system modifications, and improvements to reliability, efficiency, documentation, and standard procedures.
• Cross-train across greenhouse areas and water systems to support operations throughout the facility.
• Follow safety procedures for chemicals, pressurized systems, electrical equipment, and active greenhouse areas; keep water rooms and work areas clean and organized.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Requirements

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Mechanical aptitude and interest in technical equipment, water systems, and greenhouse production.
• Ability to interpret numerical readings, trends, graphs, alarms, and process data; investigate a problem beyond its immediate symptom.
• Comfort using computers, tablets, digital controls, and electronic records, or the ability to learn them quickly.
• Ability to collect and communicate accurate information, work independently, and recognize when a condition requires escalation.
• Willingness to learn water treatment, irrigation, process controls, and how water quality and delivery affect plant growth.
• Ability to work safely in an active greenhouse and industrial environment and perform hands‑on inspections and maintenance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postsecondary education or technical training in a field related to water systems, engineering, or plant science, with a strong interest in applying that knowledge to greenhouse irrigation and production.
• Experience with water treatment, irrigation, greenhouse operations, utilities, manufacturing, agriculture, or other hands‑on technical systems.
• Experience with pumps, valves, piping, filtration, chemical dosing, sensors, instrumentation, or process controls.
• Experience with greenhouse controls, SCADA, HMI, building automation, or similar computerized systems.
• Interest in water chemistry, plant production, automation, and process improvement.

SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS FOR SUCCESS:

Strong operators take ownership of assigned systems, notice when a process changes, investigate why, and follow issues through to resolution. They combine technical curiosity and attention to detail with clear communication, sound judgment, and a willingness to learn new technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND SCHEDULE:

Work takes place in water rooms, greenhouses, and related service areas. It includes standing, walking, bending, handling tools and equipment, and working in warm or humid conditions. The role may include rotating greenhouse coverage, assigned weekends, and on‑call response based on department scheduling.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.