Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.
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.
We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.
American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Indexfor the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The successful candidate will report to Water Quality Sr Supervisor to manage the duties necessary ensuring timely and accurate environmental compliance with various government regulations pertaining to drinking water and wastewater analysis samples per the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act and to ensure reliable laboratory operation. After the initial probationary period, the successful candidate must pass an examination by an officer of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) certification unit, pass Performance Evaluation tests, and demonstrate proficiency in the skill sets listed later in this document by demonstrating proficiency during the training period.
#LI-JS1
- Maintaining IDPH laboratory certification – by thoroughly reading, understanding, and adhering to 77 IL Administrative Code Part 465
- Prepare laboratory ahead of the biannual IDPH audit including all logs and required information
- Prepare information for the annual laboratory quality assurance reports
- Ability to read and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and develop SOPs as needed.
- Bacteriological and various chemical analysis, assessment, and reporting
- Provide technical expertise to assist in ensuring that correct interpretations are made and that there are no Notice of Violations (NOVs)
- Basic data entry skills in entering laboratory data into Microsoft Office 360
- Basic data entry skills in all active applications and software, and capability to learn new programs
- Wastewater analysis of samples for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia nitrogen (NH3), fecal coliform, total phosphorus, and data reporting to various agencies and entities;
- Coordination and collection of bioassay samples, effluent metals analysis and sludge management and analysis as required under the 503 Sludge Regulations;
- Proper laboratory disposal methods such as operating the autoclave or preparing for lab packs
- Assist Water Quality in duties needed to direct and carry out the management of operations of process facilities to meet all Water Quality, and Clean Water Act Requirements as per National Pollutant Discharge permits.
- Perform chemical, bacteriological, and radiological sampling – independently following Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) web-schedules and Belleville Lab schedules, ensuring that there are no NOVs;
- Order and maintain inventory of bacteriological and chemical laboratory materials – adhering to the approved budget and approved vendors;
- Accurate preparation of information for IEPA monthly reports within the necessary time frame, and providing technical assistance;
- Resolve customer complaints in a timely manner with and emphasis of troubleshooting customer complaints to the root cause, to increase customer satisfaction ratings; as needed
- Assist quality control of new main construction – ensuring that contractors adhere to proper installation protocols, coaching contractors when necessary, along with bacteriological sampling, analysis, assessment, and reporting;
- Handle boil orders following IEPA requirements for reporting to regulatory agencies in a timely manner, update H2O online database, and communication of boil order status to State and County agencies;
- Assist plant operators with testing problems – including troubleshooting and calibrations;
- Work with laboratory couriers to ensure samples are collected and received into the laboratory on a timely basis
- Any other duties and special projects assigned by management.
- Assist WQ Sr Supervisor in the Lead and Copper sampling program
- Strong chemistry and biology skills, mathematical aptitude (including algebra), ability to keep thorough and accurate records, and excellent computer skills are necessary in this position. It is extremely important that the individual in this position be analytical-minded, detail oriented, and able to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner.
- The individual needs to be a hard worker, strive for excellence, troubleshoot analytical methods, critical-thinking skills, and employ the scientific method. Strong work ethic, time management, and a team builder committed to continuous development and self-improvement.
- Strong interpersonal and organization skills, ability to communicate well, and work with minimal supervision.
- Capability of walking and/or standing for extended periods of time. Aptitude for evaluation and repairing laboratory equipment.
- Aptitude for learning and applying chemical and bacteriological techniques, and for handling delicate equipment.
- Ability to learn advanced computer operations.
- Strong knowledge in the utilization of the Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Ability to lift up to 50lbs. Ability to stand for long periods of time.
- Knowledge of Horizon Laboratory Information Management System
- Bachelors degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or related science field
- 0-2 years in the water/wastewater industry and/or laboratory experience.
The scheduled hours of work are forty (40) per week from 7:00 am - 3:30 pm of Sunday-Thursday (emergencies and extenuating circumstances may require temporary schedule changes). Overtime will be required for lab coverage on an as needed basis.
- Ability to obtain Forklift Certification within 6 months of hire date
- Valid driver's license required.
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Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™
American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.
