At U.S. Water, our success is built on the dedication and expertise of our team members. In our Faces of U.S. Water series, featured in our quarterly client newsletter, we spotlight the employees who work tirelessly to ensure clean, safe water and reliable water and wastewater systems for the clients and communities we serve. This quarter, we’re proud to introduce Jessica Gunter, HR Supervisor for U.S. Water.
Supporting the People Behind the Service
Based at the corporate office in New Port Richey, Florida, Jessica supports employees across the organization in a role that touches nearly every part of the business. As HR Supervisor, she fields day-to-day questions and concerns, handles employee relations, manages workers’ compensation, and monitors compliance with both contractual obligations and broader human resources requirements.
She also works alongside her teammates to keep those functions running smoothly, partnering with U.S. Water’s HR Coordinator on hiring and onboarding and Benefits Coordinator on benefits processes and compliance. Jessica works especially closely with the Fleet and Safety departments, managing drug screening and the reporting of auto accidents and workplace incidents. In that capacity she serves as a liaison between employees and adjusters, making sure claims are reported promptly and handled appropriately.
It is behind-the-scenes work that rarely shows up in a treatment plant or lift station, but it is what allows the teams in the field to do their jobs safely and well.
An Unexpected Introduction to Water and Wastewater
Water and wastewater was not a field Jessica knew much about when she started. That was part of the appeal.
“It was a field that was completely outside of what I was used to,” she says. She was drawn to the chance to learn new skills and, along with them, to understand something most people use every day without a second thought. “Learning more about what truly goes into the water/wastewater business has been fascinating,” she says — an appreciation for how much work goes into ensuring a resource that arrives at home so reliably that it is easy to take for granted.
Watching the company expand has been just as compelling. Seeing U.S. Water grow over the last few years into so many different areas, she says, has been amazing, and a very cool thing to be a part of.
A Path That Started in Billing
Jessica joined U.S. Water in 2017 as a billing agent supporting the Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) contract, moving shortly thereafter into the Lead Billing Specialist position. Her billing supervisor, she says, was instrumental in exposing her to everything U.S. Water had to offer beyond her own contract and office.
Early on, she was asked a question that would shape the rest of her career: if she could grow into other departments within U.S. Water, which would they be? Human Resources was first on her list.
A few years later, an opening in Human Resources gave her that chance. Jessica joined the department in late September 2021 as an HR Coordinator, at a time when HR was a team of two. She has since advanced into a Lead HR position and, after earning her HR certification through SHRM, into her current role as HR Supervisor.
The department has grown alongside her. What began as a team of two is now a team of five, and Jessica is looking forward to seeing how it continues to develop from here.
Never a Dull Moment
Ask Jessica what she loves about her job and the answer comes back to variety. “Human Resources is so widespread and always evolving,” she says. “Helping people is always rewarding, but HR does so much more.”
That constant change is exactly what keeps the work interesting. “There is never a dull moment in HR. Every day is a new experience, with new things to learn, and I love that.”
Why U.S. Water?
For Jessica, it comes down to opportunity paired with a sense of connection. “There is so much to learn and so much opportunity available here at U.S. Water,” she says. “And although we have experienced a lot of growth the last few years, the company still has that close-knit feel, which is nice.”
After nine years with the company, and a career path that has taken her from billing to the leadership of a growing HR team, that combination has given her plenty of room to build something of her own.
A Note About the “Faces of U.S. Water” Series
At U.S. Water, our success is built on the dedication and expertise of our team members. In the Faces of U.S. Water series, we spotlight the individuals who work tirelessly to ensure clean, safe water and reliable water and wastewater systems for our clients and communities. Each article delves into their personal journeys—what inspired them to enter the water and wastewater industry, what drives their passion, and how they stay committed to the vital work of protecting public health and the environment. Through these stories, we celebrate their contributions and hope to inspire others to join this essential field.
Stay tuned as we highlight more stories from the dedicated team behind U.S. Water!