Wastewater System Operator I at Essential Utilities

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities.  If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. 

Essential Duties:
•    Monitor Operations of all wastewater facilities, conduct testing and analysis required for proper operation and reporting for the facilities in compliance with regulatory permits. 
•    Responsible for making and implementing recommendations regarding process changes and facility adjustments to improve operational performance.
•    Monitor collection system performance and pump stations. Make recommendations on improvements and upgrades as needed.
•    Record on plant logs, spreadsheets, and electronically all required test results, measurements, equipment readings, and observations as specified and required by permits, standard operating procedures, and as directed by the Supervisor.
•    Coordinate the removal of sludge and delivery of all chemicals, fuel, parts, and supplies necessary for the proper operation of the facilities.
•    Assist with on-call responsibilities during the work week and weekends, including answering alarm calls and reporting to the facility as necessary to diagnose and address the cause of the alarms Monday through Sunday. Must be available 24 hours daily to respond to plant and system problems.
•    Maintain facility records, prints, equipment manufacture manuals, and all operating data. 
•    As required, assist managers and supervisors in developing and administering applicable safety procedures at facilities.
•    Capable of monitoring the PLC network to review the automated operation of all water and wastewater facilities, monitor alarms and review computer-generated data for proper PADEP and DMR reports, and assist in training new employees in computer automation systems.
•    The position requires good mechanical skills as needed for the repair/replacement of all plant equipment, including but not limited to pumps, instruments, chemical feed equipment, etc.
•    Must be able to make mathematical calculations to determine chemical doses required for flow rates and proper treatment.
•    Required to meet and follow all Aqua safety requirements for hazardous chemical handling and PPE requirements.
•    Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
•    Must be willing to be trained and able to provide additional operational support to other wastewater systems covered under the CBA.

Qualifications:
•    As a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. 

•    Must either possess or have the ability to obtain, within 24 months of the hire date, the required license for the employees’ primary assignment. 

•    The required licenses for an employee with a primary wastewater assignment are: Class C and E wastewater with subclasses 1,3,4. 

Preferred applicants will have been actively involved in the operation and maintenance of wastewater or water facilities for at least two (2) years and have a current working knowledge of wastewater or water treatment systems.

Must diagnose and correct process problems and upsets reactively and proactively. The use of computers with proficiency in spreadsheets and databases is desirable. Recommend to the Manager and Supervisory staff improvements and equipment needs that should be included or considered for annual capital budget preparation.

Pay Rate:
Pay Rate: $35.59* per hour 
* All employees hired or entering the bargaining unit on or after April 1, 2021, will receive three dollars ($3.00) per hour less than the classification wage rate. The wage reduction will be returned in one dollar ($1.00) increases once a year over a three (3) year period. The employee will receive annual contract increases.

Hours of Work & Location:
Must be willing to work a special work week on a rotational basis or as required by management.

This position may operate in several areas, including Chester, Bucks, and Montgomery counties which include the geographic locations of West Grove, Cochranville, Kennett Square, East Bradford Township, Thornbury Township, Willistown Township, East Brandywine Township, Chester Springs, Solebury Township, Worcester Township, Upper Merion Township, Limerick Township, Gilbertsville, Douglas Township, East Whiteland Township, Lower Makefield Township, East Norriton Township, Cheltenham Township, and New Garden Township.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).  
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.