Operations Team Leader-RC

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.

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Aqua America? We have a great opportunity for an Operations Team Leader, under the direction of the Roaring Creek Division Field Supervisor. The Operations Team Leader will be responsible for the operation, safety, maintenance, direct staff supervision, performance and compliance of the assigned water and wastewater systems.The facilities include all Roaring Creek remote systems, including distribution assets, tanks, wells, pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants and collection/conveyance systems, and wastewater lift stations of present and future remote systems located in the Roaring Creek division. The Roaring Creek Division Operations Team Leader direct reports will include the Roaring Creek Division Facility Operator Team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (Primary Duties and Responsibilities)

• The Roaring Creek Operations Team Leader supervises a team focusing on safety, compliance and operational excellence. Responsibilities include managing the operations, maintenance and regulatory compliance of the Roaring Creek remote well sites and wastewater systems including Facility Operators and contractors. Also, when the Field Supervisor is unavailable, assists the Field Supervisor with managing the Roaring Creek Contiguous distribution system and service departments, to include union Utility Workers, Field Service Representatives and contractors, in accordance with company and regulatory agency standards.
• Interviews, hires, sets high performance standards and manages performance of team in accordance with all applicable HR policies and procedures, including required performance reviews. Creates an energized work environment, fostering an atmosphere that enables employee trust and engagement. Inspires confidence and motivates others to perform at their best. Develops and coaches staff while effectively addressing performance issues. Conducts duties and responsibilities with the highest possible ethical standards.
• Conduct regular meetings with assigned staff for Company updates, continuous improvement ideas, and otherwise share information in line with high-performing culture initiatives.
• Implement Aqua safety policies and procedures. Review job sites and Company operating sites and equipment for safety compliance and act on deficiencies.
• Establishes and implements training programs for staff to ensure continued competency in assigned roles.
• Process invoices, purchase requisitions, and other accounting controls to ensure compliance with budgets and work processes.
• Monitors and maintains materials inventory of required equipment (parts, tools, chemicals, etc.).
• Assists team with addressing customer concerns and complaints.
• Oversees day to day operations at the Roaring Creek Remote Systems including scheduling and tracking the required work activities. Works closely with other operational groups to share resources as needed to meet work demands.
• Oversees distribution system maintenance activities at the Roaring Creek Remote Systems contracted work, including replacement, relocations, and repairs of distribution system appurtenances.
• Ensures compliance with PA One Call law in all areas of operational responsibility.
• Ensures team's vehicle fleet is compliant with applicable company and jurisdictional agency requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring compliant operations, including accuracy and timely submission of compliance data.
• Attends required periodic company meetings, related to compliance, safety, and other required operational and management related meetings and calls.
• Maintains databases and work order process which track and support operations including reporting on compliance-related activities such as compliance sampling, compliance data submission, hydrant flushing, valve exercising, water loss, production, PA One Call system, etc. at the Roaring Creek Remote Systems.
• Builds and maintains close working partnerships with area public utilities, area municipalities, PADEP, SRBC and local fire departments. Represents the company in meetings with the township, county and applicable regulatory agencies for the coordination of construction and maintenance projects and other company related business.
• Maintains awareness of all regulations affecting the utility and its operations. Identifies regulatory changes and the associated impact on operations and makes recommendations as needed.
• Responsible for operating within defined budget and assists the engineering department in managing the capital budget for water and wastewater priorities. Assist preparing and monitoring expense budgets to ensure adherence to established expense limits and provides explanations of variances as needed. Works closely with the engineering and senior management teams on the funding and completion of capital projects.
• Performs other related activities as assigned which may include overseeing the cleaning and maintenance of company facilities. Oversight, reporting and administering Roaring Creek Remote Site inventory, etc.
• Must proficiently use Company software necessary after being trained.
• Responsible for monitoring company operational, compliance, safety, financial metrics within area of responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s).

QUALIFICATIONS (Required Experience, Education, Licenses, and Certifications)

• An associate or bachelor's degree in business, engineering, construction management, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years in a water/wastewater operations role is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years in a water or wastewater utility system is preferred.
• Must obtain required PA water Class E Distribution, Water Class C (Subclasses 7-12) and Wastewater Class C (Subclasses 1-4) within three years of hire.
• Valid U.S. driver's license

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of water/wastewater operations
• Working knowledge of excavation and work zone safety
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal customers
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action
• Ability to independently work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment

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
• Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds.
• See, hear, talk and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.
• Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents (if applicable)
• Be on the job as needed after normal business hours and for on call emergencies 24/7/365

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.

This is not an all-inclusive document. Additional duties, expectations, demands, etc. may be added or changed to this document on an as-needed basis in order to meet organizational needs.

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.