Facility Operator 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. 

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:

• All tasks necessary for the day-to-day operations of facilities and equipment related to the wastewater treatment plants, lift stations, and collection system mains, and water source wells, treatment, distribution, and storage facilities.
• Monitors gauges, meters and control panels, controls variations and operating conditions of the treatment process, records all operational data as directed at system facilities, noting, and reporting any unusual conditions or security concerns.
• Operation of laboratory equipment and perform routine wastewater and water analysis.
• Collect, analyze, and record wastewater and water samples for regulatory compliance and process control monitoring for proper operation of the systems, documenting, and certifying test results.   
• Assists in the preparation and submission of required operational reports to PADEP, EPA, PUC and to internal entities.
• Utilizes the Company’s maintenance software, performs preventative maintenance, emergency repairs and troubleshoots operational problems on all equipment and facilities.
• Operation and maintenance of distribution systems including mains, valves, hydrants, and services, including leak detection work throughout the system. 
• Operation and maintenance of sewer collection system mains and lift stations, including investigations to locate sources of inflow/infiltration (I/I).
• Responsible for addressing service orders pertaining to customer service, water distribution and/or collection system calls.  Includes meter reading and basic public relations in customer contacts.
• Understand and follow the Company’s safety program.
• Assists with other tasks or projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school graduate or GED equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of field experience at a utility or related industry.
• Customer Service
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License
• Within 90 days must complete Excavation Safety Training – Awareness Level and Competent Person.

NICE TO HAVE:

• Not required, but helpful - a valid PA Class C or above Water License OR a PA Class C or above Wastewater license OR be willing to obtain a Class C water or Wastewater License within 2 years of your start date.

• PADEP Operator License or will be required to successfully pass either a Water or Wastewater license general examination and at least one of the required subclasses within 24 months of employment per the WPA Facility Operator Licensing Requirements and Career Progression Schedule.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal staff and external customers.
• Strong customer service skills as this position interacts with the public.
• Ability to work independently exercising knowledge, skill, and professionalism while making decisions affecting the treatment process.
• Ability to understand computers/tablets and the basic operation of database, spreadsheet and work processing preferred. 
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment.
• Highly motivated and self-disciplined individual with the ability to work alone.  

CAREER PROGRESSION:

• Facility Operator (FO) Trainee – Will be required to get a Pennsylvania DEP Class C or above water or wastewater operator certification within 24 months of employment.
• FO I – Minimum license requirement of a PA DEP Class C operator certification in Water or Wastewater.
• FO II – Minimum license requirement of PA DEP Class C operator certification in Water and Wastewater (dual certification).
• FO III – Minimum license requirement of PA DEP Class B operator certification in Water and Wastewater (dual certification) and that all PA DEP required subclasses be held for the facilities assigned to the division.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• May be subject to extreme temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, fumes, dusts, mists, gases and /or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds. Completion of a lift assessment is required for employment.                                                                                     
• Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents. *Company Vehicle is provided for business purposes.
• The on-call schedule requires the candidate to be available nights and weekends to adequately staff a 24 hour/7-day operation.

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.

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.