Water Treatment Operator Apprentice
American Water

Job Info

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Requisition ID: 107344

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, 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.

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

Primary Role

Under direct supervision, the Apprentice Operator follows a defined entry level training program in water treatment to become a licensed/certified operator. Apprentice Operator will perform routine daily operational tasks and maintenance of the water treatment facilities and associated equipment and perform other related duties as assigned. Will train on all shifts.

#LI-LS1

Key Accountabilities

• Train under relief operators and, eventually, plant operators
• General Knowledge of safe practices for the operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant.
• Use safe working practices in the performance of duties and ensure that proper safety practices are used by all workers, including stopping all work, if necessary, to maintain a safe working environment.
• Perform safety and environmental inspections around treatment plant
• Identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which may be unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees.
• Take prompt corrective measures to eliminate hazards.
• Attend all safety training in order to learn, and vigorously apply, safe work practices at all times.
• Start, stop and adjust electric motors, pumps, valves, generators and other specialized equipment throughout treatment plant.
• Perform light duty maintenance and housekeeping at water treatment facility, including filter maintenance, lubricating moving parts and cleaning equipment.
• Operate residual disposal system, including belt press.
• Monitor treatment process and distribution flows through SCADA system.
• Make adjustments necessary to maintain water quality, pressures and adequate quantities of water as directed.
• Collects samples from designated points, performs physical and chemical tests and records results.
• Perform wet chemistry water sample testing in laboratory.
• Monitor and maintain the following treatment processes: screening, biological treatment, and filtration used for effluent disposal.
• Adjust chemical feed equipment as necessary
• Utilize computer controls to batch dry chemicals into solution and dilute liquid chemicals Unload chemical trucks into bulk chemical storage tanks and unload container chemicals into proper storage locations.
• Transfer chemicals from bulk storage tank to day storage tanks.
• Observes and assists in performing preventive and emergency maintenance on equipment. Assist with the unscheduled repairs of plant and pump station equipment.
• Calibrates instruments and equipment.
• Backwash filters to ensure proper filtration by removing trapped particulates.
• Perform various other routine duties to include building/grounds maintenance, janitorial and preventative maintenance.
• Operates heavy and light equipment, forklift, pallet jacks, overhead hoist and mowing equipment. Use of various hand tools.

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to follow safety practices and recognize/report hazards.
• Read and record meters, gauges and control devices
• Perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to take accurate readings and keep operational records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, contractors, vendors and the public.
• Ability to understand and utilize specialized equipment including control software and SCADA
• Basic computer skills & knowledge
• Must be neat, reliable, and resourceful, have a retentive memory, and be able to think and act promptly.
• Must be able to fully cooperate with and assist other employees.
• Must be able to work effectively under pressure
• Must be able to discern between the relative importance of assigned duties; must have the proper regard for the use of time and equipment, and an awareness of the responsibility to safeguard the water supply; must be able to send and receive instructions by radio, phone, and computer
• Must be physically able to perform the duties of the craft and pass drug test upon acceptance into the program

Experience/Education

• Must have High School diploma or GED
• Preferred candidate shall possess a minimum of 90 CEUs
• Upon accepting the Apprentice Operator position, the trainee shall remain within the trainee classification until earning a Class III water treatment license or upon being disqualified (failing to pass treatment exams) from the position.
• After a trainee earns their Class III water treatment license, they must accept the first qualifying open operator position after any applicable bidding process.
• Apprentice Operator must attend all required WV sponsored water treatment courses and pass exams for each corresponding license level.
• Complete other related operator self-study courses and exams
• Years of experience vary depending upon level of position open and licenses held.

Work Environment

• Regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions. This position has the potential for exposure to water, wastewater, chemicals, loud noises, toxic fumes, oils, lubricants, dust, pollen and mechanical equipment.
• Requires the use of appropriate safety equipment/PPE.
• There is frequent standing, stooping, walking, sitting, and climbing. Must be able to lift (up to 55 pounds) and perform other similar actions during the work shift.
• Must have the ability and responsibility to comply with OSHA regulations and the standards for safety that have been set by the Company.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee may perform on an occasional to regular basis while performing functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter on an occasional to regular basis.
• Shift work is required, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime, as required. The shift work may be eight (8) up to sixteen (16) hour shifts.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Charleston West Virginia

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