Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
American Water

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Requisition ID: 110446

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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.

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Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Posting Start Date: 11/5/26

Job Description:

Primary Role

The purpose of this position is to maintain operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant under Supervisor's guidance to meet NPDES Permit. This is accomplished by maintaining safe and efficient running of equipment; engaging in training on the equipment to assure knowledge of its operation and maintenance; making control changes under the supervision of a licensed Supervisor and/or Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); utilizing the GE Computer system and Process Book; overseeing the operation of the Plant in absence of a Supervisor; and operating equipment used to thicken sludge going to the anaerobic digesters. Other duties include cleaning, work orders, answering phones during off hours and putting requests in Kronos Telestaff.

Key Accountabilities

• Maintains safe and efficient operation of all Wastewater Treatment Plant by making physical rounds of the Plant and finding potential problems with equipment; looking for areas that may be unsafe; completing assigned work orders to assure a clean and safe working environment; operating all equipment used to thicken and dewater the sludge going to and drawn from the anaerobic digesters; operating equipment used for cake disposal and bulking agent addition; taking sludge blanket readings in the primary and secondary clarifiers; recording results and taking appropriate action; and reporting high levels to supervisor. Aside from disassembling equipment, performs minor maintenance on such to address clogs and/or equipment fouling; takes periodic samples and completes the Operator report; prepares, receives and dispenses chemicals; cleans tanks, clarifiers, basements and work areas; uses portable equipment to perform duties depending on management needs.
• Monitors the plant process functions using the GE and PI (or equivalent) software by viewing the various graphics showing the equipment run status to ensure that it is running properly as per its design; spotting trends that indicate problems have risen from the PI Book; and checking to see how things were doing during good operational periods. Reports malfunctioning equipment and initiates maintenance request for equipment using EAM (or equivalent) maintenance program.
• Engages in training activities by attending extensive training done by the supplier of the new equipment; reviewing Standard Operating Procedures; receiving instruction on the various processes; with approval of management, taking courses on the various aspects of wastewater treatment; receiving training on the use of the GE Computer Control software; and receiving training on the use of the PI ProcessBook software (or equivalent) software. Increases his/her knowledge of the methods, practices, procedures, and techniques used in the operation and routine maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant equipment.
• Makes process changes using the GE Computer System by initiating process control changes from the GE Computer system; performing appropriate duties under the direction and supervision of Shift Supervisors, Operations Manager, and/or the Plant General Manager who all possess a valid Pennsylvania WWTP License; and initiating process changes from the field using HOA switches to start and stop equipment. Directs and assists in equipment re-assignment because of malfunction or other need.
• Oversees operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant in absence of the Supervisor; by assigning areas or responsibility to operators equitably; completing daily shift operations paperwork; logs any leave requests in appropriate book and fills any necessary overtime to maintain adequate staffing as per the Staffing Standard Operating Procedure; calling for Sewer Maintenance when they are required to take care of a sewer blockage.

Knowledge/Skills

• This job title normally performs the duty assignment after receiving general instructions as to methods, procedures, and desired end results. There is some opportunity for discretion when making selections among a few, easily identifiable choices. The assignment is usually reviewed upon completion.
• Personal contacts are with employees within the work unit and/or general public, in a highly structured situation, which involves obtaining, clarifying, or giving facts or information.
• This job title requires the use of standard technical skills appropriate to the work environment of the organization.
• Ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and record meter and gauge readings accurately.
• Ability to deal with system of real numbers; practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions addition/subtraction and measurement.
• Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Follow good documentation practices.

Experience/Education

• High school Diploma or equivalency.
• Over one year as a York WWTP Operator I and/or Management discretion.

Certifications & Licenses

• Valid Class C Pennsylvania Driver's License required.
• Must obtain a DEP license as per contract.
• #LI-ES1 #LI-Onsite

Competencies

Plans & Aligns

Decision Making

Communicates Effectively

Builds Networks

Action Oriented

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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 are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

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