Production Specialist 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: (Primary Duties and Responsibilities)

• Works in the field with Treatment, Compliance, Laboratory, Operations, and Engineering departments, as needed, to produce high-quality drinking water and wastewater effluent at the lowest cost and to solve treatment plant-related problems.

• Learns and manages the SCADA Network and other computer monitoring systems to review treatment and water quality at all assigned facilities and distribution system locations, monitor alarms, analyze computer generated data and respond effectively and in a timely fashion. Coordinates response with Supervisors, Facility Operators, and other personnel as needed. Compiles data, completes reports and analysis and maintains records for compliance reporting purposes.

• Assists in overseeing water and wastewater treatment so that all facilities meet process targets, regulatory limits, and are optimized regarding chemical usage, water quality, and industry best practices.  Assumes the duties of the Operations Team Supervisor and Plant Manager positions as needed.

• Conducts and/or develops treatment studies, leads special projects, and acts as interdepartmental liaison to facilitate the exchange of physical equipment and technical resources.

• Assists with ongoing capital projects, including coordinating projects with various departments and outside contractors, at the facility as directed and assists in long term capital project planning.

• Participates in various professional organizations; attends seminars, training courses, and conducts independent research to continuously improve technical competency.

• Maintains current on legal and regulatory guidelines and developments. Ensures water and wastewater facilities and operators meet all requirements including but not limited to the following environmental laws and associated regulations: Safe Drinking Water Act, Water and Wastewater Operator’s Certification Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Streams Act.

• Responsible for the treatment plants and wells meeting all DEP and SDWA regulatory requirements and NPDES limits including the completion of regulatory reports as needed.

• Adheres to all Aqua safety and health policies and procedures.

• Performs other tasks and projects as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s).

QUALIFICATIONS (Required Experience, Education, Licenses, and Certifications)

• B.S. Degree, preferably in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, or Biology
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in water and wastewater. 
• Must take examinations and obtain Pennsylvania Class A Water and Class B Wastewater licenses including all relevant subclasses within a reasonable time frame. 
• A valid U.S. Driver’s license

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (Examples below)

• General knowledge of surface water, groundwater, and wastewater treatment and facilities required.
• Leadership acumen preferred with the technical and managerial ability to assume a supervisory and/or managerial role.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills including technical writing, listening, communicating expectations and providing all relevant information and feedback in an organized and timely manner.
• Good computer skills including MS Office, with ability to learn Lawson, Maintenance Connection, LIMS, WIMS and other relevant software programs.
• Strong organization, verbal, and written communication skills. 
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Position is on call 24/7 rotating on call responsibilities with other members of the team as needed.  Must be available to immediately respond in the event of an emergency
• 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.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.                                    
• Working conditions will include travel (75%) to plant and work sites of Essential Utilities
• Travel Requirements up to 75% (daily in field travel only)              

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.