Water Treatment Plant Operator

American Water Co.; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking utility company dedicated to providing safe and reliable water services. In this dynamic role, you will operate and control essential plant equipment, ensuring the highest standards of water quality and compliance with regulations. You'll engage in a variety of responsibilities, from monitoring treatment processes to performing water quality testing. This position offers a unique opportunity to grow your skills in a supportive environment that values diversity and innovation. If you're passionate about making a difference in your community and thrive in a collaborative setting, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health benefits package

Opportunities for career development

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid PA driver's license and Water Works Operator certificate.
• Physical fitness required for lifting and working in confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Operate and control plant equipment for water treatment processes.
• Perform water quality sampling and maintain records.
• Calibrate instruments and maintain chemical inventory.

Skills

Water treatment processes knowledge

Mathematical calculations

Mechanical ability

Effective communication

Computer knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

College coursework in biology or chemistry

Tools

Water quality testing equipment

Chemical feed systems

Job description

Company: American Water Works Company Inc

Requisition ID: 107997

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.

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, we keep life flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations.

As one of the fastest-growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency, and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations aligned with sustainable best practices through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce, and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense Excellence Award, among additional state, local, and national recognitions.

To have active involvement in and make process control decisions associated with the operation of water purification systems.

The schedule for this position is a rotating shift.

Position Responsibilities

• Operate and control plant equipment.
• Establish, maintain, and control flow through the water treatment process and into and within the distribution system.
• Maintain process control through the water treatment and wastewater processes, including the establishment, maintenance, calibration, and adjustment of chemical feed rates necessary to optimize process operation.
• Calibrate instrumentation and equipment to maintain proper operation.
• Monitor the water treatment plant and water distribution system and make adjustments as necessary to control their operation.
• Maintain all necessary records.
• Perform water quality sampling, testing, and analysis to determine compliance with federal, state, and PAWC’s standards.
• Loading, unloading, handling, placing into storage, and batching water treatment plant chemicals. Order chemicals and maintain chemical inventory.
• Operate and maintain raw water facilities including source of supply, transmission, and pumping facilities.
• Perform general maintenance/cleaning duties at the water treatment plant and related facilities.
• Any other duties that are assigned.

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to report to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year as needed for calls-out and overtime.
• Knowledge and ability to understand the water treatment processes, basic scientific concepts, and water quality standards and regulations, company procedures, and basic mechanical and automated control systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the public and company personnel.
• Read and understand instructions, safety rules, etc., and comply with company policies including attendance and safety policies.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations to be able to calculate dosages, surface areas, volumes, weights, measures, and algebraic formulas.
• Mechanical ability sufficient to operate pumps, valves, motors, and other mechanical equipment related to plant operation and maintenance.
• Knowledge of computers.

Experience/Education

• High school graduate or state recognized education equivalency certificate.
• College coursework and/or degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or engineering curriculum are desired.
• Must possess a valid PA driver’s license.
• Water Works Operator certificate (Class A, Type 1) or ability to obtain in the time required by the PAWC Personnel Policy.
• Attend continuing education as needed for Operator certification renewal.
• Physical fitness - capable of lifting and/or carrying 50 lbs. or more on a frequent basis.
• Walking up and down stairs.
• Working in confined areas.
• Ability to wear a respirator.
• Environmental conditions including contact with water, chemicals, fumes, odors, and dust as a result of working with and handling potentially hazardous water treatment and laboratory chemicals.
• Minimum exposure to inclement weather mostly of short duration.

Champions safety

Customer obsessed

Cultivates innovation

Nimble learning

Drives results

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 age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran, or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Nearest Major Market: Scranton
Nearest Secondary Market: Wilkes Barre