What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Specialist position at American Water?
Requisition ID: 107766
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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.
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 $40 to $42 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 Index for 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.
American Water is currently seeking an Operations Specialist in our St. Louis office location. In this role you will collaborate with other functions to optimize American Water's performance and customer satisfaction.
Primary Role
The Operations Specialist provides operational, administrative, analytical and technical support to the Field and Production departments. This role may include assisting supervision with scheduling work, briefing employees, completing tasks, communicating with other departments, safety, assisting team members, handling customer inquiries, etc. This role may include assisting with field work including pick-up and delivery tasks, assessing repairs made by contractors, completing related paperwork and/or handling Public Utility inquiries The percentage of time spent performing the key accountabilities of the job may vary based on the manager, departmental or functional unit needs. This role may assist with fleet management, vehicle repairs and facility maintenance.
Key Accountabilities
- Coordinate or review operations processes and practices and assist in developing tactical plans for the team
- Receive and distribute operational workflow requests and work orders
- Enter data and perform analysis in information systems
- Schedule daily operational work based on priority outlined by operations leadership using work management system
- Respond to customer inquiries, which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from operations leadership, speaking with customers and explaining company processes
- Prepare, analyze and evaluate reports on a wide variety of items including variances related to specific department work processes, regulatory requirements, budgets, capital expenditures, work orders, departmental and/or organizational performance, etc.
- Provide general administrative support for day-to-day managerial and departmental needs and special projects, which may include but are not limited to, composing correspondence, obtaining permits, preparing and distributing meeting minutes, processing purchasing card and fleet related expenses, initiating purchasing transactions, document preparation, etc.
- Work collaboratively with other functions to optimize business performance and customer satisfaction
- Reinforce leadership activities and decisions
- Contribute to effective communication and culture by listening and providing feedback, supporting an open and honest work environment and cascading and sharing knowledge and information relevant to employees
- Assist with training and development, knowledge transfer, instilling safe work practices, regulatory and environmental compliance activities
- Audit work zones and operations facilities for safety, security, environmental compliance, productivity and efficiency
- Performs activities to monitor and maintain inventory control, evaluates inventory levels and reorders as necessary
- May perform receiving, stocking, distributing, and packing in addition to inventory control. Maintains inventory records and prepares reports
- May work with vendors to resolve routine supply and distribution discrepancies
Knowledge/Skills
- Demonstrated organization ability and administrative skills
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
- Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize tasks
- Effective problem solving and analytical ability
- Knowledge of water or relevant utility industry operations, water and/or wastewater distribution regulations, water system equipment, water system operations, piping, tanks, pump stations, construction practices, engineering concepts, company policies and procedures and effective safety practices
- Thorough understanding of standard business practices and principles, including basic accounting and budgeting
- Strong knowledge of computers, in-depth knowledge of Microsoft office suite applications and other pertinent software
- Understanding of collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), safety and regulatory requirements
Experience/Education
- High school diploma or equivalency required. Associates level degree in business or related field of study preferred Distribution and relevant State licenses preferred Driver’s license required
- Minimum 2 years overall operations experience such as performing troubleshooting or repairs on water and wastewater distribution systems; meter reading and meter operations; installation or repair of pipe, valves and hydrants; and operating tools and equipment used in operations tasks. Other helpful experience includes: water system engineering concepts, construction management, operation of waterworks facilities including distribution systems piping, tanks, pump stations, pressure reducing stations with related equipment, controls and SCADA systems, data collection and leak detection technologies
Travel Requirements
- Local and occasional regional travel may be needed
Other
The percentage of time spent performing the key accountabilities of the job may vary based on the manager, departmental or functional unit needs.
Southeast Region - this role may include assisting with field work including pick-up and delivery tasks, checking leaks and repairs made by contractors and completing related paperwork and/or handling Public Utility complaints
Western Region - this role may include fleet management, vehicle repairs and facility maintenance.
Competencies (from the Water Division Competency Dictionary):
Analysis and Problem Solving - Analyzes and resolves business issues through the application of critical reasoning skills and general business experience.
Sharing Knowledge & Expertise - Drives business performance by developing and contributing specific technical or professional knowledge, skills and experience. Demonstrates a professional attitude.
Teamworking - Is committed to working collaboratively to achieve business goals, building cohesiveness and identity with a work group, and valuing individual perspectives and contributions.
Work Environment
- Indoor and outdoor work required.
Competencies
Champions safety
Collaborates
Cultivates innovation
Customer obsessed
Drives Results
Nimble learning
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.
