Wastewater Operator Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

[Your company name] is hiring wastewater operators. Wastewater operators do the important job of cleaning and disinfecting used water so that it’s safe to be released into the environment or used in irrigation. These individuals use chemicals to test and treat the water, operate machines, and analyze samples of water to ensure that safety standards are met. If you are detail-oriented with excellent mathematical, analytical, and mechanical skills, a wastewater operator job at our company could be the perfect fit. 

Typical duties and responsibilities

• Operate equipment to purify and clarify water, process it, or dispose of sewage
• Collect and test water and sewage samples
• Document and report test results to regulatory agencies
• Add chemicals as needed to disinfect water or other liquids
• Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges
• Record meter and gauge readings and operational data
• Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas
• Follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations
• Meet safety standards

Education and experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• Wastewater operator certification preferred

Required skills and qualifications

• Ability to use computer programs for process control
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Keen attention to detail
• Ability to stand for extended periods, both indoors and outdoors

Preferred qualifications

• 3+ years of experience working with wastewater
• Excellent analytical skills
• Extreme attention to detail
• Strong mathematical skills

ABC Company is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. This person will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and supervision of wastewater treatment.

Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains wastewater system including servicing of pumps, motors, valves, generators, and equipment
• Maintains pump stations
• Perform sample collection, preparation, and laboratory testing
• Maintain records, perform data entry, and provide detailed reporting
• Ensures completion of work assignments within specified deadlines and in compliance with Federal and State safety regulations and procedures
• Analyzes and evaluates pump equipment, trouble-shooting malfunctions, and monitoring of water operations
• Performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs of equipment and infrastructure
• Performs facility grounds maintenance including cleaning equipment and tanks
• Perform general landscape maintenance including mowing, trimming, clean-ups, pruning, and other typical landscape maintenance tasks
• Performs other related duties as directed

Job qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Class 1 Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification required
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Records required
• Experience within a water treatment environment
• Ability to work independently
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Requires the ability to read, write, compile, and analyze data and reports daily
• Ability to monitor control panels, gauges, and meters to ensure proper plant operation
• Must be available to work weekends, overtime and ‘on-call’ as needed

Are you looking for a fantastic career at ABC Company? We have a great opportunity for a Wastewater Operator located in (City, State). Under the direction of the Area Supervisor, this position is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the division’s water treatment plants and collection systems.

Duties

Assures the proper operation of wastewater treatment plants and collection systems in accordance with company and division policies and procedures.

• Performs the necessary monitoring required as part of the operation of the wastewater treatment plants and collection systems
• Performs all necessary preventive maintenance on wastewater treatment plants and collection systems
• Inspects daily and maintains the condition and appearance of all stations
• Maintains all records pertaining to maintenance and treatment as required
• Conducts sampling of the distribution system and wastewater treatment plants and collection systems as needed
• Participates in on-call duty
• Performs other related duties and assignments as required

Qualifications

• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Possess valid NJDEP Class, S2 and C2 licenses
• Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license

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
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Working conditions may include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents

Your opportunity

This position is responsible for tending the pumps and other equipment used to decontaminate wastewater (sewage). Operator is responsible for collecting samples; reading charts and flow meters and gauges to determine equipment malfunctions and performing minor repairs on equipment.

Core responsibilities

• Tends pumps, conveyors, blowers, chlorinators, vacuum filters, and other equipment used to decontaminate wastewater (sewage) by settling, aeration, and sludge digestion
• Collects samples and makes process reports
• Reads charts, flow meters, and gauges to detect equipment malfunctions
• In the absence of key personnel, the employee’s supervisor or qualified designee (one that has been trained in the key employee’s duties) is responsible to complete or delegate the completion of all required tasks and responsibilities

Qualifications

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 2+ years relevant experience and/or training, required
• Class I Wastewater License (or able to acquire within 3 years of employment); and Class I Water License (or able to acquire within 2 years of employment)
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, verbal or diagram form
• Knowledge Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word
• Must be able to travel occasionally with possible extended overnight stays
• Must be available for night and weekend on-call status
• Ability to work well with others in fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment

Work environment & physical demands

• The plant environment will include include outdoor weather conditions, wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus
• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk; use hands to handle, or feel, and talk or hear; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl