Facility Operator II - 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. 

Are you looking for an exciting career at Aqua Ohio? The Facility Operator, working as a member of a team or alone, under the guidance of a Supervisor, provides for the safe operation of water or wastewater facilities in compliance with federal, state, local and Company requirements for the operation of distribution, storage facilities and/or wastewater collection, lift stations or facilities. Performs customer service orders. This role is essential for maintaining the efficient and compliant operation of a water and wastewater utility's distribution and collection systems. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of water & wastewater collection and distribution processes, as well as experience working with regulatory agencies and customer service. They will be detail-oriented, able to work both independently and as part of a team, and committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of the Aqua’s utility's infrastructure.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Responsible for the operation, routine servicing and care of a wide variety of specialized equipment.
• Maintains records of operations, completes and submits routine and special reports as assigned. Including information for the Ohio EPA water distribution monthly operating reports.
• Collect routine and special purpose water distribution system samples per Ohio EPA compliance, and ship samples to the appropriate lab for analysis.
• Operates and assists in repairs to water / wastewater systems and plants; responds to customer service calls. Works on an afterhours on-call rotation. Assist with system distribution flushing activities.
• Perform Ohio Utilities Protection Service utility locates and use the positive response systems. 
• Monitor system SCADA as necessary. 
• Help count and organize inventory items. 
• Work with a tablet to perform customer service orders Help with installing meters as part of the aged meter replacement program. 
• Serve as the water distribution system operator of responsible control. 
• Trains other employees in the operation and maintenance of the utility systems including maintenance, repairs, compliance and safety as required.
• Performs all duties as necessary, as well as other related duties as assigned.

Ensure Environmental Compliance:

•              Monitor and ensure compliance with all relevant environmental regulations and standards.

•              Conduct regular inspections and audits to identify and address any non-compliance issues.

•              Ensure compliance with regulatory authorities and ensure timely reporting of environmental data and incidents.

•              Maintains records of operations, completes and submits routine and special reports as assigned. Including information for the Ohio EPA water distribution monthly operating reports.

•              Collect/coordinate collection of routine and special purpose water distribution system samples per Ohio EPA compliance, and ship samples to the appropriate lab for analysis.

•              Serve as the water distribution system and wastewater collection system ORC (operator of responsible control).

Direct Employee Daily Work Duties:

•              Assign and oversee the daily tasks and responsibilities of a team of utility workers.

•              Provide clear instructions, guidance, and support to ensure efficient and effective task completion.

•              Monitor employee performance and provide feedback to improve productivity and quality of work.

•              Implement and enforce safety protocols and procedures to protect the well-being of the team.

•              Trains other employees in the operation and maintenance of the utility systems including maintenance, repairs, compliance and safety as required.

•              Assist with maintaining and organize inventory items.

•              Monitor system SCADA as necessary.

•              Work with a tablet to perform customer service orders Help with installing meters as part of the aged meter replacement program.

•              Operates and assists in repairs to water / wastewater systems and plants; responds to customer service calls. Works on an afterhours on-call rotation. Assist with system distribution flushing activities

•              Performs all duties as necessary, as well as other related duties as assigned.

Ensure Productivity and Customer Satisfaction:

•              Develop and implement strategies to optimize the performance and productivity of the utility operations.

•              Investigate and address customer complaints related to water and wastewater services.

•              Collaborate with the customer service team to resolve issues and improve customer satisfaction.

•              Analyze operational data and identify opportunities for process improvements.

Maintain Water and Wastewater Systems:

•              Oversee the maintenance and repair of water and wastewater collection and distribution systems.

•              Coordinate with the maintenance team to schedule and execute preventive and corrective maintenance activities.

•              Monitor the performance of the systems and identify any issues or malfunctions.

•              Ensure the proper functioning of pumps, valves, and other critical components.

Reporting and Documentation:

•              Maintain detailed records of all environmental compliance activities, customer complaints, and system maintenance.

•              Prepare and submit regular reports to management on the status of the utility operations.

•              Prepare Ohio EPA monthly operating reports.

•              Perform Ohio Utilities Protection Service utility locates and use the positive response systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Must possess OEPA Water Distribution Class I license 
• Must possess OEPA Wastewater Operator Class I license
• At least three (3) years’ experience in the water treatment/distribution field; wastewater experience is preferable but not required.
• Communicate effectively both orally and written.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Must have the ability to perform mathematical calculations related to the job with speed and accuracy.
• Possession of a valid Ohio drivers’ license at the class level required by the State to operate the fleet equipment associated with the job.

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.