Chief Operator

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:

• Plant employees of the collective bargaining unit shall be responsible for the proper operation and routine maintenance of the plant equipment entrusted to their care during their entire scheduled working period, and shall leave the treatment, water quality and equipment in good operating condition or advise the employee about to assume the operator's duties of any unusual condition that may prevail, or of any equipment that requires attention and which could not be corrected during the shift that was worked.

• Safely and effectively operates, maintains, monitors and/or controls all treatment plant equipment and processes and various distribution system equipment and processes. Assist in the creation and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures.

• Operates, maintains, reads, interprets, and records as directed all instruments at the plant. Makes decisions and adjustments to maintain water quality standards through computer control systems. Ensure adherence to all established Standard Operating Procedures, including inspections, testing and analysis (including laboratory), safety protocols/procedures, and recording of operational data.
• Communicates, records, and maintains relevant information regarding treatment plant operations in work order systems and other electronic databases as required. Record measurements and data to verify and maintain drawings for proper record keeping and reporting of the Company's facilities. Must be proficient in computer databases, word processing, and spreadsheet programs.

• Performs assigned sampling and lab testing as directed. Compiles thorough and detailed laboratory records and maintains excellent organizational skills in both electronic and hard copy. Act as the backup laboratory supervisor and assist in laboratory operations. Ensure compliance and process control samples are collected, analyzed, and reported as assigned.
• Prepare reports required by the Company, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and other jurisdictional entities. Assume responsibilities of the Operator of Record, including responding to after-hours emergencies, as may be required in the absence of certified management. Prepare and submit compliance reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates excellent communications skills and satisfactorily meets internal and external customer requirements; serves as after-hours dispatch for emergencies within the system diagnosing issues appropriately. Communicate effectively with division staff during all assigned work hours. Provide excellent customer service in response to water quality inquiries and coach Maintenance Operators to maintain after-hour communications in Western PA. Assigns housekeeping duties and assures the security of the plant structures and property is maintained. Order materials and supplies to maintain assigned inventories.

• Responsible for coordinating work assignments and monitoring the daily work activities of the operators to ensure timely completion of all work orders. Recommend the scheduling of the operators to accomplish this.
• A basic knowledge of electronic theory and application is required, and the capability of checking and repairing electronic circuits. The ability to read and understand wiring diagrams and schematics and to use the same in troubleshooting. Provide technical support and troubleshoot operational problems, oversee preventative maintenance and corrective repairs.
• An understanding of variable frequency drives, motor starters, motors, DC Drives, programmable logic controllers and the ability to diagnose problems and repair equipment where and when feasible is required. Experience with actuated valves is a plus. Coordinate contractor work to ensure safe and continuous operation in accordance with Aqua SOPs and regulatory compliance
• Follows confined space, chemical safety, personal protective equipment programs and all other safety policies and procedures without exception.
• Operate and maintain Aqua vehicles and equipment safely.
• Conscientious in respect for the responsibility to safeguard customers and the environment. Be accountable for assigned critical functions to include inspections, evaluations, calibrations, and pilot studies.
• All other duties as assigned and capable of increasing skills with experience and proper instruction. Serve as a role model and mentor for operators at the plant.
• Be physically capable of lifting 75 lbs. A lift assessment will be conducted as part of onboarding.
• The Chief Operator is not responsible for implementing personnel disciplinary actions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Plant employees must meet all licensing requirements within the specified time-frames outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

These include:

• Preferred 5 years of experience as a water or wastewater system operator.
• Pennsylvania DEP Class A Water Operators Certification with subclasses 2 and 4.
• Possess the technical, academic and physical ability to perform the duties of the position. Be able to read, understand and accurately communicate operating instructions both written and verbal to a team. Mathematical ability to perform calculations to determine various ratios, dosages, volumetric calculations that are required for the operation of the treatment plant and systems.
• Candidate must hold a valid U.S. driver's license at time of hire.
• Achieve satisfactory score on Personnel Tests which may include a written examination. Achieve medium range score (currently 65) on Customer Service Skills Assessment Program test.
• Candidate must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Complete a seventy-five (75) pound lift assessment.
• Satisfactory work record (currently no more than one disciplinary occurrence in last three years).

Candidate must adhere to all provisions of the prevailing Articles of Agreement between Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union of America AFL-CIO-CLC Local No. 9305-08 (Union Agreement).

Pay Rate: $28.72 per hour* as of 1 January 2025

HOURS OF WORK:

The Chief Operator will have preference for work hours of Monday through Friday 7:00 - 3:00 but may be required to work scheduled day and night shifts, weekends, and/or holidays in accordance with the prevailing Union Collective Bargaining Agreement. Must be available for voluntary and involuntary overtime and for emergency callouts to maintain uninterrupted service to our customers.

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.