Plant Manager I

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we're delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you're looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Must be capable of assuming the full responsibilities of the Plant Manager II in the complete operation of the facilities on a temporary and/or everyday basis as required.
• Accountable for the reliable operation of all facilities, including maintenance of grounds and buildings.
• Ensure compliance with Regulatory agency regulations.
• Participation in the development and implementation of Company goals, objectives, policies and procedures, as may be required.
• Oversee training programs of personnel for all plant labor functions.
• Assist with maintaining the AWWA Partnership program.
• Administer the Department Safety Program and OSHA compliance, including but not limited to process safety, Risk Management Plan, Confined Space Program, Lockout/Tagout, etc.
• Assist in preparation and adherence to the Capital Budget for production department facilities.
• Monitor maintenance, repair, and capital improvement budgets to evaluate work progress, process and quality; resolve issues; determine additional needs; and assure continuous support and follow-up.
• Assist with the development and adherence to the departmental Operating Budget.
• Assist with chemical inventory and budget for associated facilities.
• Assist with the oversight and management of operations, maintenance, and asset records through asset management software, known as Maintenance Connection.
• Assist with labor relations and other personnel issues promptly with good judgement and in accordance with established procedures.
• Coordinates, completes and reviews operational records and statistical data.
• Assist in submitting SDWA regulatory reports.
• Maintain permit and operational compliance.
• Public relations, including meetings with local fire departments, PA DEP and other related activities that promote the Company and facilitate communication with local communities.
• Development and maintenance of the production department equipment and system Standard Operating Procedure manuals, as may be required.
• Develop, maintain and manage a preventative maintenance program for production department facilities, including utilizing the current asset management program.
• Preparation and annual maintenance of Emergency Management Plan along with any required participation in local emergency planning agency activities and meetings.
• Work collaboratively with the treatment, engineering, and distribution departments to maintain the overall operational integrity of the facilities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by Plant Manager II or Director of Production.
• Mentor other Department employees as part of resource skill development.
• Assists with other tasks or projects as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required preferred in a science related field
• 3-5 years of experience in Water Treatment plant operations preferred
• Currently hold a Pennsylvania Certification for Water Works Operator Class A and all Subclasses required for plant operations. If not in possession of the license, consideration will be given to candidates who can obtain one in a time frame determined acceptable by Aqua

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Previous experience should also include work with computer control systems and programming, water chemistry and laboratory procedures, computational skills to calculate chemical dosages and determine calibration of chemical feed systems, basic mechanical skills to maintain large pumps, drives, motors, piping systems, chemical feeders and storage tanks, knowledge of electrical power distribution and control systems, interpersonal skills necessary to effectively conduct business with internal and external customers (customers, employees, colleagues, corporate office, regulators, public officials, vendors, communities etc.).
• Must be computer literate, especially with word processing, e-mail and spreadsheet applications.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• May be subject to extreme temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, fumes, dusts, mists, gases and/or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions.

WORK HOURS:

• Standard work hours, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday
• Respond to/attend periodic after-hour emergencies and meetings.
• On call and available 24/7 to handle any problems that may arise.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.