Water Treatment Operator

Requisition ID: 109210

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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, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water's 6,500 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.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

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Kentucky American Water is hiring a Plant Operator to join our operations in Owenton, KY. As a plant operator, you will be critical in ensuring our treatment process is not only compliant, but safe, healthy and reliable for our customers and the communities we serve. In this role, you will be responsible for monitoring the water treatment, making process control changes, light maintenance, and tracking regulatory data.

• This role requires a Kentucky Class IV Treatment license to run the plant.

Primary Role

Operates and controls plant machinery and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and commercial and industrial use. Remotely controls distribution pumps, tanks, and equipment to maintain

water and fire service in the distribution system. Monitors and tests water quality to ensure safe water quality.

Key Accountabilities

• Monitors SCADA to operate and control electric motors, pumps, valves, and filters to regulate flow of water through the plant.
• Dumps specified amount of chemicals, such as polymer, salt, and potassium permanganate into chemical feeders.
• Makes adjustments to same devices to control the amount of chemical admitted into tanks, clearwells, and pipelines to disinfect, deodorize, clarify, and purify the water. (20%)
• Controls, operates, and monitors mixers, vacuum pumps, sludge blanket levels, sludge blanket concentrations and sludge removal to clarify the water.
• Monitors SCADA to remotely adjust and control pumps, motors, and chemical feed equipment, to regulate pressures, water elevations, flow of water, and quality of water in the distribution system. (10%)
• Monitors filter operation to maintain water quality and determine backwashing scheduling.
• Collects and tests water samples from various process points to determine acidity, color, turbidity, pH, bacteria content, treatment application, odor, and other impurities, using various laboratory equipment such as electrodes, colorimeters, mixers, turbidimeters, titrators, mixers and hot plates. (35%)
• Maintains and tests online analytical instruments monitoring water quality. Records data such as test results, chemical dosages, weights, and volumes, water quality information, operational problems, and compliance monitoring as required by various State and Federal regulations. (16%)
• Responds to consumer complaints, emergencies, answers telephone or makes notification to appropriate supervisors about same. Loads / unloads / receives chemicals and materials used to purify and operate the water treatment systems. Cleans and maintains work place. (12%)
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. (7%)

Experience/Education

• Over one (1) year of relevant water treatment experience
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Specific vocational preparation may include a combination of vocational education, apprenticeship programs, in-plant training, on-the-job experience, or prior roles with progressively responsible duties.
• Participation in company-sponsored, state, federal, private, or county training programs may be required to enhance job-related skills.
• Kentucky Class-IV Treatment license is required
• Valid state driver's license

Work Schedule

• Full-time, on-site
• Monday-Thursday, 2am-midnight

Work Environment

• Indoor and Outdoor Work: The position involves activities performed both indoors and outdoors in approximately equal amounts.
• Wet and Humid Conditions:
• Wet: Regular contact with water or other liquids.
• Humid: Atmospheric conditions with moisture levels high enough to cause noticeable physical discomfort.
• Noise and Vibration: Exposure to noise—constant or intermittent—at levels that may cause distraction or potential hearing damage, and/or vibration that could result in physical strain or harm if experienced repeatedly over time.
• Hazards: Situations where there is a clear risk of bodily injury.
• Exposure to Environmental Factors: Includes odors, toxic substances, chemical dust, general dust, or areas with poor ventilation.

Competencies

Champions safety

Collaborates

Cultivates innovation

Customer obsessed

Drives Results

Nimble learning

Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing

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.