Operator, Water & Wastewater Treatment

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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.

Job Title:

Operator, Water & Wastewater Treatment

Posting

Start Date:

5/29/26

Job Description:

American water is currently seeking an entry level operator to work in our Dale City plant location. The Operator, Water and Wastewater Treatment is responsible for performing entry-level operational and maintenance support work at water and wastewater treatment facilities. This role supports daily plant operations, monitoring, routine maintenance, and data collection activities while learning water and wastewater treatment processes and regulatory requirements.

Work is performed under the general supervision of Senior and Lead Operators or of local management.

• Perform routine operations and maintenance tasks at water and wastewater treatment facilities, including assisting with the care and operation of equipment such as pumps, motors, chemical preparation and feeding systems, and auxiliary equipment, in accordance with established procedures
• Assist with operating and monitoring physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes for both water and wastewater systems, as well as associated control and monitoring equipment
• Assist with the startup, shutdown, and periodic operating checks of treatment facilities under supervision.
• Assist with regulating the flow of water, wastewater, and sludge through treatment processes under direction and established operating procedures
• Monitor storage tanks, pump stations, and treatment indicators; record flows, pressures, chemical feeds, levels, temperatures, and other operational data
• Maintain accurate and complete plant records, including operating logs, daily worksheets, laboratory and field test results, chemical feed data, and process measurements
• Collect water and wastewater samples and perform routine laboratory and field tests following established procedures; report results to licensed operators or supervisors
• Load and unload chemicals used at treatment plants following all chemical-handling procedures; maintain chemical inventory levels
• Inspect mechanical and electrical equipment for proper operation and perform routine lubrication, cleaning, adjustments, minor maintenance, and minor repairs, as assigned
• Assist with making process and equipment adjustments based on test results and specific direction from licensed operators or supervisors
• Conduct routine safety inspections; utilize required PPE; comply with lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and chemical-handling protocols
• Respond to alarms and abnormal operating conditions by following established procedures and notifying appropriate supervision
• Answer calls from the CSO and relay information to operations and leadership as needed
• Maintain plant buildings and grounds,…