Plant Operator, Water & Wastewater Treatment in Cumberland

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 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 (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 provide 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.

The Plant Operator, Water & Wastewater Treatment is a skilled position responsible for the independent operation, monitoring, and maintenance of assigned water and wastewater treatment facilities to ensure safe, reliable, and regulatory compliant treatment of drinking water and wastewater. This role performs skilled operational duties including plant startup and shutdown, routine and nonroutine operational checks, process monitoring and adjustment, and troubleshooting of treatment systems and equipment.

Responsibilities include:

• Operating and adjusting pumping systems, chemical feeding systems, physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes, sludge handling systems, auxiliary equipment, and associated control and monitoring systems.
• Performing and overseeing plant startup, shutdown, and routine and non‑routine operational checks of water and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Regulating water, wastewater, and sludge flows through treatment processes in accordance with established operating procedures, permit requirements, and process conditions.
• Monitoring, interpreting, and responding to operating data including flows, pressures, chemical feeds, tank levels, pump station indicators, water quality parameters, and process control data.
• Maintaining accurate and complete plant records, including operating logs, daily worksheets, laboratory and field test results, chemical feed data, flow measurements, temperatures, levels, and other process data; preparing and submitting routine and special reports as required for regulatory compliance and operational tracking.
• Collecting samples and performing field and laboratory analyses in support of process control, compliance monitoring, and troubleshooting; evaluating results and using data to inform operational decisions.
• Loading, unloading, and handling treatment chemicals safely in accordance with established procedures; maintaining chemical inventory levels.
• Inspecting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment for proper operation; performing routine operational maintenance, lubrication, calibration, and adjustments; identifying equipment deficiencies and coordinating advanced repairs with maintenance staff or contractors.
• Troubleshooting complex operational, process, and equipment issues; determining appropriate corrective actions and implementing adjustments to maintain effective treatment performance.
• Responding to alarms, system upsets, and emergency conditions using sound judgment and established emergency response procedures.
• Conducting routine safety inspections; utilizing required PPE; complying with lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and chemical‑handling protocols.
• Answering calls from the CSO and relaying information to operations and leadership as needed.
• Providing guidance and on‑the‑job training to entry‑level or developing operators in plant operations, equipment care, safety practices, and laboratory procedures.
• Performing all other duties as assigned.

Experience/Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 5+ years’ experience in mechanical, industrial, environmental, or utility work.
• Experience in wastewater treatment field.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Intermediate knowledge of the principles and safety practices of water and wastewater treatment, distribution, pumping, and collection systems.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including clear communication of operational conditions, equipment issues, and safety concerns.
• Strong problem‑solving, troubleshooting, and decision‑making skills in dynamic operating environments.

Travel Requirements:

Daily travel within region may be required.

Work Environment:

Work performed in both indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to chemicals, odors, noise, and varying weather conditions. The ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment is required.

Certifications & Licenses:

• Water & Wastewater Treatment License beyond entry level required.
• Valid Driver's License.

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or disability.