Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators

realistic interests production equipment water record data power tool work area process operate controls chemicals

Process Operator (Process Op), Wastewater Operator (WW Operator), Water Plant Operator, Water Treatment Plant Operator

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Infrastructure Systems Superintendent; Missile Facility Manager; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman, Fuel Systems Maintenance; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman, Fuel Systems Maintenance
Cannon Crewmember; Combat Engineer; Construction Engineering Technician; Engineer Equipment Maintenance Warrant Officer; Petroleum Systems Technician; Plumber; Quartermaster and Chemical Equipment Repairer; Unit Supply Specialist; Water Treatment Specialist; Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
Damage Controlman; Machinery Technician; Marine Safety Specialist Engineer; Material Maintenance Specialty; Naval Engineering Specialty
Utilities Chief; Utilities Officer; Water Support Technician
Advanced Utilitiesman; Assistant Public Works Officer; Auxiliary Equipment Operator; Conversion NEC UT Utilitiesman Basic; Engineman; Machinist's Mate; Public Works Officer; Public Works Production Officer; Public Works Utilities Officer; Utilitiesman
Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman, Fuel Systems Maintenance; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman; Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman, Fuel Systems Maintenance
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 Hot Technology In Demand

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

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

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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