Operator 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. 

Qualifications:  

It must be understood that the person awarded the position must accept. Position requires shift work and requires employee moving to permanent shift position as Plant openings occur.

• The position requires the employee to obtain and maintain a Waterworks Operators Class A license with all associated modules required to operate the above plants. Employees have 3 years to obtain license. If after 3 years they have not obtained license, employee will be terminated.
   
• Waterworks license requirements will require passing written test, but actual license will not be required until experience requirements, i.e., years of actual work experience at the plant are met.
   
• Entry level employees will be required to have associate degree, or 2 years trade school or similar education. In lieu of that, 2 years’ experience in waterworks field or similar field requiring use of mechanical, treatment, and/or mathematical skills.
   
• Position requires labor intensive work, including lifting requirements of 75 pounds.

• Required to meet and follow all Aqua safety requirements dealing with hazardous chemical handling and PPE requirements.

• Position requires good mechanical skills as required in the repair/replacement of all plant equipment, including but not limited to pumps, instruments, chemical feed equipment, etc.
   
• Must be able to make mathematical calculations to determine chemical doses required for flow rates and proper treatment.
   
• Must be available for overtime as needed to maintain continuous plant operations.
   
• Applicants must have valid US driver’s license. This job requires a Commercial Driver's License, Class C, with a Hazardous Material Endorsement and the candidate awarded the job must obtain a CDL within the required time period.
   
• Will be required to perform as a member of the Hazmat Response Team if a team is maintained.

The hourly rate of pay is $38.91

All employees hired or entering the bargaining unit on or after December 15, 2022, will receive four dollars ($4.00) per hour less than the classification wage rate. The wage reduction will be returned in one dollar ($1.00) increases once a year over a four (4) year period. Employee will receive annual contract increases.

Employees must be employed more than twelve (12) months in a Department to be eligible to apply for a job outside of the Department. However, employees with twelve (12 months) or more in the union but with less than twelve (12) months in a Department may apply for a job classification that pays a higher hourly rate than the classification the employee currently holds.

An employee will be limited to two (2) higher wage classification advancements in a twelve (12) month period. If there are no applicants with more than the required twelve (12) months in the department, then employees with at least 12 months in the bargaining unit may apply for the position even if it is not for a position with a higher wage classification.

Applicants for this position may access their personnel file only one time for up to one hour during the five-day posting period so they may review previous testing material.

A written examination may be given along with a field test.

Please review the details of this job carefully. It must be understood that the person selected to fill this position must accept.

Successful applicant who has been awarded a job requiring a CDL must, prior to new job:

• Within (60) days of award of job, the employee must pass the required knowledge testing and receive the required learner’s permit.
• Within (120) additional days must have passed and secured a CDL with necessary endorsements.
• Failure to secure a CDL within (120) days will be cause for employee to leave job and secure job which does not require a CDL.

To the extent that PennDOT delays the issue of the learner’s permit this (60) days will be extended accordingly.

Waterworks license requirements are that employee passes tests, and that license will be contingent upon experience requirements.

The classification of “Operator I” is subject to the Federal Highway Administration Regulation 49 CFR Part 382 that stipulates that any employee who is required to obtain and hold a commercial driver’s license is subject to the following:

• Random drug and alcohol testing
• Reasonable suspicion testing
• Post accident testing involving a loss of life and/or citation for a moving violation.
• Return to duty testing.
• Bi-annual medical certification (physical examination)

The United States Department of Transportation governing Physical Qualifications and Examinations, SUBPART E Article 391.41 states a person holding a Commercial Driver’s License shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless he/she is physically qualified to do so. He/she will be required to successfully obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate prior to starting in the position. 

Interested applicants can apply online through the Company’s Workday software tool, however, they must also notify their supervisor in writing on or before August 5, 2026.

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.