Operations Team Leader

Aqua Wastewater Operations Supervisor

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!

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

• Supervise day-to-day operations including scheduling and tracking the work activities for the department.
• Monitor operations of wastewater facilities; this includes testing and analysis required for proper operation as well as reporting to ensure compliance with regulatory standards & industry best practices.
• Make recommendations on improvements / upgrades needed to improve operational performance and cost efficiency.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to System Operators to address issues and develop skills (as needed).
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend cost-effective improvements in system operations; this includes vendor / contractor services relating to the operation of all assigned facilities.
• Prepare monitoring reports, as required for regulatory review; this includes updating and maintaining facility records and related documentation (including blueprints, equipment manuals, and operating data).
• Oversee / provide the highest level of technical assistance during construction of new installations, major repairs, and capital construction projects that include working on the most complex filters, sludge tanks, pumps, motors, blowers, and other equipment needed for proper facility operation.
• Interface with vendors, contractors, consulting engineers, and plant staff regarding water and/or wastewater systems under company ownership.
• Assist in the cost development of capital projects within the wastewater operations and assist in the development of operating budgets.
• Handle elevated responses to customer questions and/or concerns.
• Coordinate the removal of sludge as well as the delivery of chemicals & supplies needed for facility operations.
• Will ensure subordinate staff are correctly using business software; this includes (but is not limited to) Service Link, SAP, and Timetrack.
• Serve in an On-Call rotation with availability 24-hours/day as well as on weekends (in conjunction with other department personnel).
• Responsible for adherence to all Aqua safety and health policies and procedures.
• Lead and/or assist with other tasks or projects, as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma (or equivalent degree) is required at a minimum; completion of a Bachelor's degree (preferably in Engineering, Construction Management, Chemistry, or a related field) is strongly preferred.
• 3 years of professional experience working in wastewater and/or water treatment system operations (and/or capital improvement projects).
• Proven project management experience, especially with multiple projects simultaneously, is preferred.
• Supervisory and/or leadership experience is preferred.
• Licenses are specific to location and may include the following: PA Department of Environmental Protection Class E Wastewater Collection Systems License or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire
• Valid U.S. driver's license
• NASSCO certification preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of wastewater collection system practices and procedures
• Working knowledge of PA ONE call system
• Working knowledge of excavation and work zone safety
• Proficient with using computers, including use of the Microsoft Office Suite as well as other maintenance and GIS-based software applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; this person will be expected to communicate effectively (in a clear, concise, and professional manner).
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment,
• Team Player demeanor with the ability to work effectively and multi-task in a team-fostered environment.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands

• May be subject to extreme temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, fumes, dusts, mists, gases and /or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.
• Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents (if applicable).

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.