Water Treatment Technician Jobs in Pennsylvania

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Production Supervisor assists in the leadership, management, and continuous improvement of the Authority's water production facilities. This position supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operation of treatment, pumping, transmission, storage, chemical feed, process waste, hydroelectric, and related production assets.

The position supports the Production Supervisor by providing hands-on operational leadership, technical expertise, direct supervision of production staff, asset management support, preventive maintenance coordination, operator training, process optimization, and development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Operations and Maintenance (O&M) manuals, and emergency response procedures.

As a designated mentor for the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association (PRWA) Apprenticeship Program, the Assistant Production Supervisor provides structured mentoring, competency evaluations, and practical training for apprentice operators. The position also coordinates required plant training and helps ensure certified operators obtain the continuing education units (CEUs) needed to maintain licensing.

This is an essential, on-call supervisory position responsible for responding to operational, facility, chemical, water quality, and emergency situations as required. In the absence of the Production Supervisor, the Assistant Production Supervisor assumes assigned responsibility for production operations and supervisory oversight.

REPORTS TO:

The Assistant Production Supervisor reports to the Production Supervisor. In the absence of the Production Supervisor, or as otherwise directed, the position reports to the Director of Plant Operations or another designated management representative.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Assist in directing daily production activities to ensure reliable water treatment, pumping, transmission, storage, chemical feed, process waste, and related production operations.

· Assist in the management and reliability of production assets, including treatment facilities, pumping stations, storage facilities, transmission systems, chemical feed systems, process analyzers, instrumentation, and related infrastructure.

· Monitor plant performance using SCADA, historical data, laboratory results, process testing, operator logs, and other operational records; prepare trends, evaluate events, and recommend operational adjustments.

· Optimize treatment processes through process monitoring, data analysis, jar testing, chemical feed evaluation, analyzer verification, and other operational testing needed to maintain water quality and compliance.

· Provide technical leadership during abnormal operating conditions, equipment failures, planned shutdowns, restarts, inspections, calibrations, performance testing, storm events, power outages, and emergency response activities.

· Coordinate preventive and predictive maintenance activities with Maintenance, Electrical/Mechanical, Engineering, Water Quality, vendors, and contractors as needed.

· Assist with equipment condition assessments, lifecycle planning, operational testing, commissioning, calibration, performance verification, and capital improvement recommendations.

· Maintain asset records, equipment histories, spare parts information, maintenance documentation, operational performance metrics, and other technical records as assigned.

· Develop, revise, implement, and maintain SOPs, O&M manuals, emergency procedures, operator checklists, process testing procedures, and guidance documents.

· Ensure operational documentation reflects current equipment configurations, regulatory requirements, Authority procedures, and industry best practices.

· Maintain operational records required for regulatory reporting, inspections, audits, compliance reviews, and performance benchmarking.

· Assist in maintaining compliance with PA DEP, EPA, SRBC, FERC, OSHA, Partnership for Safe Drinking Water, and other applicable regulatory or program requirements.

· Support the Authority's Risk Management Program (RMP), Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan, Spill Response Plan (SRP), chemical safety procedures, and emergency preparedness programs.

· Promote safe work practices; conduct or assist with safety inspections, job hazard analyses, emergency response drills, operational audits, and incident reviews; recommend corrective actions when needed.

· Assist with chemical inventory management, ordering, receiving, usage tracking, vendor coordination, and maintaining appropriate chemical inventory levels for treatment, pumping, and emergency needs.

TRAINING, MENTORING, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:

· Serve as a designated mentor for the PRWA Apprenticeship Program and provide structured guidance to apprentice operators.

· Mentor apprentice operators and licensed operators through certification, competency development, career progression, and practical understanding of treatment plant operations.

· Develop and coordinate operator training plans, technical instruction, cross-training, emergency response exercises, continuing education opportunities, and practical demonstrations of operational knowledge.

· Evaluate employee competencies, document training progress, and recommend additional training to improve operational performance, safety, and succession planning.

SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION:

· Assist in supervising Plant Operators, Relief Operators, apprentices, and other assigned personnel; assign work, monitor performance, provide coaching, and give technical direction.

· Participate in employee evaluations, performance improvement efforts, and corrective or disciplinary actions through appropriate Authority procedures.

· Assist in preparing work schedules to ensure continuous staffing consistent with regulatory requirements, operational needs, training requirements, and applicable labor agreements.

· Support budget development, purchasing activities, chemical inventory management, and vendor coordination.

· Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Water Quality, Watershed, Administration, consulting engineers, vendors, and contractors to achieve departmental and Authority goals.

· Evaluate emerging treatment technologies, automation systems, asset management practices, and industry best practices; recommend improvements that enhance safety, compliance, reliability, efficiency, and employee development.

· Attend and participate in professional organizations, technical committees, industry training, and other development opportunities as assigned.

· Perform other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

As directed by the Production Supervisor, or in the Production Supervisor’s absence, the Assistant Production Supervisor supervises Plant Operators, Relief Operators, apprentices, and other assigned production personnel supporting the continuous 24/7 operation of the Octoraro Water Treatment Plant.

HOURS OF WORK:

Normal hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, as established by the Authority. Hours and days may vary based on operational needs, staffing, regulatory deadlines, training, meetings, and emergencies. Overtime and emergency response availability are required as needed.

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Communicate promptly and effectively with the Production Supervisor, Director of Plant Operations, and other supervisors regarding water quality, production, compliance, staffing, equipment, safety, and emergency issues.

· Support workload balance, operational efficiency, employee development, and cross-training within the Production Department and other plant functions as needed.

· Maintain confidentiality, professional conduct, and positive working relationships with employees, departments, vendors, contractors, and regulatory representatives.

· Accept delegated and additional responsibilities; attend off-site training relevant to operations, equipment maintenance, supervision, regulatory compliance, process control, and emergency response when approved by the Authority.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Water Resources, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field preferred. Equivalent operational, supervisory, technical, or managerial experience may be considered by the Authority.

· Six (6) to eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in surface water treatment plant operations is preferred, including treatment process optimization, pumping systems, chemical feed systems, regulatory compliance, and emergency response.

· Must have, obtain, and maintain the PA DEP Waterworks Operator license required to operate the Authority's treatment facilities. A Class A Waterworks Operator license with subclasses required by the Authority is preferred, or the ability to obtain required licensing within a timeframe established by the Authority.

· Demonstrated experience leading or supervising operators, mentoring employees, coordinating operational activities, and supporting training or workforce development programs.

· Working knowledge of SCADA systems, PLCs, HMI systems, instrumentation, process analyzers, flow and pressure transmitters, chemical feed controls, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and asset management principles.

· Knowledge of OSHA safety requirements, chemical handling, emergency response procedures, drinking water regulations, and compliance requirements applicable to treatment and pumping facilities.

· Ability to assess operational issues, determine required actions, seek assistance when appropriate, direct others, coordinate response efforts, and follow issues through to satisfactory resolution.

· Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and prepare clear records, procedures, reports, training materials, summaries, emails, and operational documentation.

· Must be professional, self-directed, organized, accurate, detail-oriented, and able to demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, confidentiality, and effective decision-making.

· Computer literate and experienced with Windows, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, operational software, and the ability to learn SCADA historian tools, and other business or process control applications.

· Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to respond to after-hours operational emergencies.

· Must be able to work in the presence of chlorine gas or anhydrous ammonia while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, subject to applicable training and safety requirements.

· Must be able to operate manual valves, climb stairs and ladders, negotiate catwalks, bend and squat to inspect equipment, open pit lids, and read gauges, meters, charts, and process displays.

· Must have no physical limitations that would prevent performance of the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Military leave
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person