Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators
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.
Knowledge
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
Skills
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
Abilities
Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
- use rules to solve problems
- notice when problems happen
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Independence
- Concern for Others
- Initiative
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software
- Database software
- Operational Data Store ODS software
Education
Education: (rated 3 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed
certificate after high school
usually needed
Job Outlook
Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.