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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Also called: Process Operator (Process Op), Wastewater Operator (WW Operator), Water Plant Operator, Water Treatment Plant Operator

What they do:

Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

On the job, you would:
  • Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
  • Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
  • Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
On the job, you'll need:

Math and Science

  • chemistry
  • biology

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • product and service development

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • notice when problems happen

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Concern for Others
  • Initiative

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Data base user interface and query software

  • Database software
  • Operational Data Store ODS software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $51,600

Education

High school diploma/GED or certificate after high school is usually needed.

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