Water Plant Operator

American Water Co.; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Shift differential

Incentive pay for certifications

Job summary

American Water in Joplin, MO seeks a Water Plant Operator to operate pumping and treatment facilities and perform routine maintenance. The role includes maintaining logs, handling chemicals, and supporting laboratory sampling to ensure safe, reliable water service.

Applicants should have experience in drinking water, environmental or laboratory settings; a Class A certificate is preferred, with options for Class B/C if requirements are met within 6 months.

Qualifications

• Experience in Drinking Water, Environmental, Water Quality or Laboratory fields.
• Class A drinking water certification preferred; Class B or C considered if within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Operate pumping and purification plants and perform maintenance.
• Maintain daily logs and purification records; apply water treatment chemicals.
• Move and handle chemicals; perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Collect and analyze samples; perform basic laboratory tasks.
• Ensure safe operation of water treatment facilities and controls.

Skills

Water treatment operations

PPE/OSHA compliance

Hand & power tools

Laboratory sampling

Computer literacy

Tools

Water treatment equipment

Pumps & motors

Chemical handling equipment

Laboratory equipment

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.

Missouri American Water is currently seeking a Water Plant Operator to join our team at our Joplin, MO location.

Work Schedule:

Swing shift schedule-2 midnights, 2 evenings and 1 day. Days off Monday and Tuesday. Wed/Thurs midnights (12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.), Friday/Saturdays (4:00 p.m. to midnight), Sunday day schedule. (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This is a union position that offers:

• Competitive pay
• Full benefits package
• Bonus opportunity
• Career development and learning opportunities
• The chance to build a rewarding career with a leading water utility company

American Water employees also receive learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally.

If you enjoy hands-on work, serving your community, and being part of a team that delivers essential water services, we'd love to hear from you!

Primary Role

Operates pumping and purification plants and performs maintenance and relief duties on a day, evening, midnight, or swing shift.

Key Accountabilities

• Operates high service pumps.
• Performs routine maintenance of water treatment, pumping and power production facilities.
• Maintains proper amounts of water pumped to distribution system. Operates and cleans filters.
• Maintains daily station logs and purification records. Handles and applies water treatment chemicals.
• Maintains water treatment, chemical feed and pumping equipment.
• Performs routine maintenance of all water treatment equipment and controls.
• Movement of chemical containers, chemical handling and offloading. Cleaning.
• Computer use and proficiency.
• Collecting Samples, Analyzing samples, Laboratory work.
• Light maintenance of treatment plant equipment.

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of water treatment plant operations surface and ground water.
• (PPE) Personal Protective Equipment, OSHA regulations familiarity.
• Hand tools, Power tools, Water treatment equipment, chemical delivery, pumps, motors, lab equipment.

Experience/Education

Experience in Drinking Water, Environmental, Water Quality, Laboratory.

Travel Requirements

Minimal travel, occasional short overnight stays.

Other

Class "A" drinking water treatment certificate issued by MO DNR preferred. Class "B" or Class "C" will be considered provided the candidate can within 6 months of meeting MO DNR qualification requirements (as set forth in 10CSR 60 – 14) pass the required testing and obtain the next higher level of drinking water treatment certification until the employee obtains a class "A" drinking water treatment certification. Incentive pay will be paid for a Class "A" drinking treatment certificate issued by the MO DNR. Reciprocity if from other state will be accepted provided full approval from MO DNR.

Indoors office, Laboratory, Chemical, Outdoors all weather conditions. Minimal travel, occasional short overnight stays. A shift differential will be added for those working any shift other than first or day shift.

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.