Plant Operator

Requisition ID: 109797

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

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.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Position Information

Posted Range: $33.14/hr

This position may be eligible for annual incentive pay and contracted increases as determined by the collective bargaining agreement, and you will have the opportunity for continued salary growth.

In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

The Plant Operator operates and controls plant machinery and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and commercial and industrial use. They will eemotely control distribution pumps, tanks, and equipment to maintain water and fire service in the distribution system and monitor and test water quality to ensure safe water quality.

Night Shift:

- Week 1– Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

- Week 2- Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, & Sunday 7:00 PM-7:00 AM.

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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Certifications & Licenses

- Maryland State T-4 Water license preferred

Experience/Education

- High school graduate or equivalent. Specific Vocational Preparation includes an occupationally significant combination of vocational education, apprentice training, in-plant training, on-the-job training, or essential experience in less responsible jobs. Company, state, federal, private, or county sponsored courses will be attended to improve job skills.

- Over one year of experience.

Work Environment

- Work is both inside and outside: a job is considered “both” if the activities occur inside or outside in approximately equal amounts. Wet and humid: Wet: Contact with water or other liquids. Humid: Atmospheric condition with moisture content sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort.

- Noise and Vibration: Sufficient noise, either constant or intermittent, to cause marked distraction or possible injury to the sense of hearing, and/or sufficient vibration (production of an oscillating movement or strain on the body or its extremes from repeated motion or shock) to cause bodily harm if endured day after day.

- Hazards: Situations in which the individual is exposed to the definite risk of bodily injury. Exposure to: Odors, toxic conditions, chemical dust or dust or poor ventilation.

Other

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.