Sr. Water Treatment Operator; Relief

Sr. Water Treatment Operator (Relief)

Posting

Start Date:

5/7/26

Pay range: $26.78/hr – $43.39/hr

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.

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!

Kentucky American Water is hiring a full‑time, Water Treatment Relief Operator to join our team in Owenton, KY. This role will be responsible for overseeing the treatment process and functions at our conventional surface water treatment plant. With approximately 5,000 connections, you will play a key role in ensuring the needs of our customers and the community are met. The relief operator oversees the day‑to‑day treatment needs of the plant by monitoring production activity, making process control adjustments, handling chemicals, sampling, reporting, and light maintenance.

It is the responsibility of the Relief Operator to operate and maintain water treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in facility to permit and operational requirements. The Relief Operator is fully qualified to perform the most complex functions and lead the work of others.

* Please note that a Class IIIA or IV-A Operator license is required for this position

• Safety – demonstrate and enforce practices that are consistent with a goal of zero accidents and injuries; adhere to all safety policies and procedures; assist in operations of office with required focus on all aspects of safety. (15%)
• Training – employee orientation, departmental operating procedures, Safety, OSHA and Quality Training; team leader/supervisory training;
  Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Level I and II. (10%)
• Perform field tests to pace chemical dosages for process controls or alter unit processes; collect samples according to schedule; prepare chemical solutions and service automatic samplers; monitor process chemical supplies and recommend reorder. (15%)
• Efficiently operate all equipment in facility – pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, conveyors, blowers, belt presses, processing filters, etc. (15%)
• Ensure all operating personnel implement standard operating procedures for all associated plant processes; take corrective action when test results are outside acceptable ranges, including changing process control, biological system, and feed rates of chemicals. (20%)
• Respond to requests, inquiries, or complaints; promptly inform Area or Facility Manager of potential risk situations. Tasks performed by subordinates are periodically checked for quality and accuracy. (25%)

• Extensive knowledge of the objectives, equipment, and operations of modern water and wastewater treatment plants.
• Extensive knowledge of methods and materials of water and/or wastewater systems.
• Thorough knowledge of the layout, location and equipment characteristics of water and wastewater systems and of the treatment plants.
• Knowledge of the regulatory and legal environment of modern water and wastewater systems and water and wastewater treatment, including environmental law and contract law as applicable.
• Must have broad knowledge of MS Office products, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
• Must understand the working principle behind a computerized maintenance management program.

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• At least five (5) years water and/or wastewater systems and treatment

• Kentucky Class IV-A Water Treatment Operators License
• Valid state driver's license

• Full-time, on-site
• Schedule:
  
  4, 10s Monday‑Thursday, 6am‑4pm with filling in on any other open shifts
• May opt to be on‑call

• Local travel within service territory

• Customer obsessed
• Cultivates innovation
• Champions safety
• Drives results
• Collaborates
• Nimble learning

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.