Production Specialist

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. 

The Production Specialist supports Directors, Area Managers, and Field Supervisors with their responsibilities as they manage all aspects of water and wastewater treatment, operations and maintenance of the well and surface water treatment facilities, associated water intakes, water distribution system, wastewater treatment facilities, and wastewater collection systems. This is an entrance level management position and considered to be essential personnel. We are seeking a highly motivated and dependable individual who demonstrates exceptional work ethic, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to achieving results, capable of troubleshooting complex issues, and committed to maintaining high standards of performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Works with Treatment, Compliance, Laboratory, Operations, and Engineering departments, as needed, to produce high-quality drinking water and wastewater effluent at the lowest cost. Must be capable of strong technical research and diagnostic abilities to solve treatment plant-related problems.  A considerable amount of time (75%) will be spent in the field.
• Learn and manage the SCADA Network and other computer monitoring systems to review treatment and water quality at all assigned facilities and distribution system locations, monitor alarms, analyze computer generated data and respond effectively and in a timely fashion. Coordinate response with Supervisors, Facility Operators, and other personnel as needed. Compiles data, completes reports and analysis, and maintains records for compliance reporting purposes.
• Assists in overseeing water and wastewater treatment so that all facilities meet process targets, regulatory limits, and are optimized with regard to chemical usage, water quality, treatment systems, and industry best practices.  Must be capable of assuming the full responsibilities of the Field Supervisor and Operations Team Lead positions.
• Conducts and/or develops treatment studies, leads special projects, and acts as interdepartmental liaison to facilitate the exchange of physical equipment and technical resources.
• Provides twenty-four hour on-call response, which alternates with other Supervisory staff as needed. Must be available to immediately respond in the event of an emergency.
• Assists with ongoing capital projects, including coordinating projects with various departments and outside contractors, at the facility as directed and assist in long term capital project planning.
• Participates in various professional organizations; attends seminars, training courses, and conducts independent research as necessary to continuously improve technical competency.
• Demonstrates outstanding interpersonal communication skills including technical writing, listening, communicating expectations, creating and providing trainings/presentations, and providing all relevant information and feedback in an organized and timely manner.
• Accepts delegated responsibilities and performs other assigned tasks as necessary or as assigned by Treatment Manager or Compliance Director.
• Responsible for ensuring that water and wastewater facilities and operators meet all requirements including but not limited to the following environmental laws and associated regulations: Safe Drinking Water Act, Water and Wastewater Operator’s Certification Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Streams Act
• Responsible for adherence to all Aqua safety and health policies and procedures

QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Licenses, and Certifications)

• B.S. Degree, preferably in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, or Biology
• A Minimum of 3 years’ experience in water and wastewater.  
• A valid U.S. Driver’s license

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelors degree required. Education in environmental science, chemistry, or biology preferred.
• Previous experience and general knowledge of drinking water and wastewater operations and compliance preferred.
• Demonstrates strong organization, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Leadership acumen preferred with the technical and managerial ability to assume a supervisory and/or managerial role.
• Independently manage tasks and projects with minimal supervision.
• Troubleshoot technical and operational issues, providing timely solutions.
• Maintain consistent productivity and quality standards.
• Demonstrate reliability and accountability in all aspects of work.
• Collaborate with team members when necessary while thriving in autonomous work environments.
• Continuously seek opportunities for process improvement and innovation
• Must obtain Pennsylvania Class A Water and Class B Wastewater licenses including all relevant subclasses within a reasonable time frame. 
• Must have good computer skills including MS Office, with ability to learn SAP, LIMS, WIMS and other relevant software programs.
• Candidates must live within 30 miles of the reporting office to qualify for the commuter vehicle package. Close proximity to Whitehaven is preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Responsibility for budgeting special projects as directed.  Recommend to Project Managers any equipment and/or improvements that should be considered for annual operating and capital budget preparation.
• Assist the Director, Managers, and Supervisors with union and non-union personnel, as needed.
• 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.                                   
• Travel Requirements up to 75% (daily in field travel is normal, but overnights are a possibility)              

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.