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? We have a great opportunity for a Division Wide Laborer ! This person will report to a Field Supervisor and is responsible for routine maintenance of assigned equipment & vehicles as well as labor-oriented work (including, but not limited to, facility maintenance & grounds-keeping). The Division Wide Laborer will also assist the Distribution and Water Treatment Technicians in their respective job duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Routine maintenance of all equipment & vehicles (including backhoes, trucks, pumps, motors, water treatment equipment, pavement & rock breakers, tampers, compressors, tapping & rodding machines, boring & pushing equipment (including grease & oiling pumps as well as motors), and other equipment / vehicles as the Company may have or acquire in the future).
• All meter reading, installation of meters / meter housings, and the repair & maintenance of meter housings.
• Grounds-keeping over mains, services, and other areas (including all restoration work).
• Hanging of notifications cards and other notices required to inform customers of the company's operation.
• Water Sample collection throughout the distribution system and at all plant & pumping facilities.
• Custodial care & painting in and around all Aqua Illinois, Inc. facilities (including grounds keeping and grass cutting).
• Turn customers' services off-and-on in the field (for various reasons).
• Minor repairs of Curb Boxes.
• Minor maintenance of hydrants, hydrant flushing, and painting.
• Assisting with valve operations throughout the distribution system and at all plant & pumping facilities.
• Traffic control for crews working on the systems.
• Cleaning of all Basins at the Water Treatment Plant.
• Loading, unloading, and ordering various equipment & supplies at work site(s) or storage areas.
• Proper use of various tools and instruments associated with the work assigned.
• Make measurements and surveys, as required for proper record keeping.
• Perform and record inspections and test of system and appurtenances.
• Available for reasonable overtime work and available for emergency call-out duty, when necessary to provide service to the public.
• Perform the duties listed above in a safe manner following IEPA, OSHA, IDOT, USDOT, Company, and any other applicable safety-related rules and regulations.
• Assists with other tasks or projects, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Have a High School Diploma (or equivalent).
• Must have a valid U.S. Driver's License.
• Must obtain a CDL license within 9 months of employment.
• Must pass DOT Physical during the pre-employment process.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• General understanding of computers / tablets as well as the basic operation of database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs is preferred.
• Have the technical, academic, and physical abilities (including the ability to lift 50 lbs.) in order to to perform the duties of this role.
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate in writing.
• Ability to readily read, understand, and accurately-follow operating instructions (both written & verbal).
• Understand the responsibility to prevent wastewater pollution of area waters.
• Understand and maintain plant processes through computer-controlled equipment.
• Team Player attitude with the ability to work effectively and multi-task in a team-fostered environment.
• Ability to discern between the relative importance of assigned duties (and prioritize accordingly).
• Ability to send and receive instructions by radio & telephone.
• Willingness to wear proper clothing and personal protective gear, as required by the Company.
• Have the capacity and desire for advancement.

WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Perform sedentary work - exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects (including the human body).
• Reside within 45 minutes of the office.
• See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents; Pool Vehicle will be provided for work purposes only.

This is a Union position based out of the Kankakee, IL office. Rate of pay is $20 per hour.

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.