Treatment Operator

Requisition
109900
-Posted
- Direct Operations

- IL

- Woodridge

- Full Time - Regular

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.

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.

Benefits include 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs, and more.

The Operator is responsible for performing entry‑level work in the operation and maintenance of a water and/or wastewater treatment facility and field operations. This role assists with the operation and monitoring of treatment facilities—including wells, water treatment systems, wastewater treatment processes, and/or collection and distribution infrastructure—to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal regulatory requirements.

• Perform startup, shutdown, routine operational checks, and continuous monitoring of water and/or wastewater treatment facilities, wells, and associated systems.
• Operate and adjust plant equipment, including pumping systems, chemical feed systems, control systems, auxiliary equipment, storage tank levels, and pump station indicators.
• Conduct hourly or scheduled inspections of treatment facilities, documenting operational data, variances, and issues in daily logs.
• Monitor process flows, pressures, levels, chemical dosages, water quality indicators, and treatment performance to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Backwash multimedia filters and perform other process‑control activities to maintain optimal plant performance.
• Load, unload, and handle treatment chemicals safely and according to established procedures.
• Collect water and/or wastewater samples and perform laboratory analyses for process control and regulatory reporting.
• Maintain accurate operational records, including logs of chemical feeds, flow measurements, temperatures, levels, and pressures.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, including equipment adjustments, lubrication, cleaning, and minor repairs on mechanical and electrical plant equipment.
• Conduct minor corrective maintenance tasks and report equipment deficiencies requiring advanced repair.
• Maintain plant buildings and grounds including cleaning, painting, snow removal, and minor facility repairs.
• Assist with calibration activities and develop knowledge of the metric system and related measurement protocols.

• Ability to learn and understand basic principles and safety practices of water and/or wastewater treatment, distribution, and collection as they relate to assigned duties.
• Understanding of basic scientific and purification concepts.
• Awareness of how treatment processes function and the importance of following established operating procedures.
• Understanding of the operation of pumps, valves, motors, and other mechanical equipment related to plant operation and maintenance.
• Knowledge of required safety procedures (PPE, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, electrical safety).
• Awareness of emergency response procedures related to plant and field operations and importance of timely reporting and escalation.
• Effective quantitative and analytical skills; attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; ability to clearly communicate operational changes, equipment issues, and safety concerns.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, maintenance, and external contractors.
• Basic understanding of piping systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical…