Description
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Support
- Independence
- Achievement
Work Styles
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Independence
- Concern for Others
Tasks
- 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.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
Work Activities
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Processing Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Industrial control software
- Geographic information system
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
Skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Quality Control Analysis
Knowledge
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class IIICertifying Organization
Water Professionals International
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class ICertifying Organization
Water Professionals International
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Contractual Operator for Very Small SystemsCertifying Organization
Water Quality Association
Type
Core
Certificate name
Stormwater and Wastewater System Inspection - Level ICertifying Organization
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
Type
Core
Certificate name
Water Treatment Operator - Class IVCertifying Organization
Water Professionals International
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $46,952 |
| Median (50%) | $57,266 |
| High (90%) | $79,466 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $56,567 |
| Mid Level | $67,007 |
| Senior Level | $72,915 |
| Expert Level | $95,538 |
Employability
There are currently 124,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 117,200 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -6%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of -6%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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