Wastewater Plant Manager

Essential Utilities, Inc.

Wastewater Plant Manager overseeing treatment facilities and collection systems at Essential Utilities. Ensuring compliance, managing staff, and optimizing operational performance across the Central Division.

Posted 6/17/2026full-timeUniversity Park • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $113,000 - $145,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Supervisor in charge of all Central Division wastewater collection systems, lift stations, and treatment facilities
Ensures timely repair, maintenance, and management of assets and operations via an electronic work order management system
Attains established Department objectives, including performance metrics
Trains and develops Wastewater Department employees on Aqua policies, procedures, and practices
Serves as the Responsible Operator In Charge (ROIC) for Central Division Wastewater Department NPDES systems
Ensures compliance with all IEPA and EPA regulatory requirements
Administration of all non-union employee relations including staffing and labor relations
Manages employee personal development, interviewing, hiring, training, and discipline
Manages accounts payable expenditures to all vendors
Prepares purchase requisitions and monitors open purchase orders
Identifies, develops, and manages capital expenditures within the department
Oversees regulatory agency required reporting and monitoring
Evaluates new treatment processes through pilot studies

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental engineering, or engineering preferred but not required
10 years of experience in the industry with 5 years in a supervisory role
Computer control systems and programming experience
Environmental chemistry and laboratory procedures knowledge
Basic mechanical skills to maintain large pumps, drives, motors, piping systems, chemical feeders and storage tanks
Knowledge of electrical power distribution and control systems
Advanced in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Creative problem-solving skills
Strong organizational skills
Ability to prioritize and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment
Strong attention to detail
Ability to motivate oneself and others to accomplish required tasks
Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with public officials, staff, and management
Ability to establish meaningful, timely and attainable goals and effectively coordinate multiple projects
Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to effectively conduct business with internal and external customers and represent the company
Must be available for emergencies or consultation 24/7.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive and comprehensive benefits package
Career growth opportunities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

wastewater collection systemslift stationstreatment facilitieselectronic work order management systemenvironmental chemistrylaboratory proceduresmechanical skillselectrical power distributioncomputer control systemsprogramming

Soft Skills

creative problem-solvingorganizational skillsattention to detailmotivationinterpersonal skillsability to prioritizeability to resolve issuesability to work harmoniouslyability to establish goalsability to coordinate projects

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in chemistryBachelor’s degree in biologyBachelor’s degree in environmental engineeringBachelor’s degree in engineeringResponsible Operator In Charge (ROIC)