How to hire a waste treatment operator

How to hire a waste treatment operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step waste treatment operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a waste treatment operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new waste treatment operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the waste treatment operator you need to hire. Certain waste treatment operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A waste treatment operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, waste treatment operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents waste treatment operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Waste Treatment Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Waste Treatment Operator	Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.	$16-30
   Utility Plant Operative	A utility plant operator monitors, operates, repairs, and maintains utility equipment and systems. Utility plant operators work on the operation, maintenance, and repair of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems... Show more	$13-28
   Water Technician	Typically working at water treatment facilities, a water technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment to ensure the good quality of water and consumers' safety. It is their duty to operate tools and equipment, gather and analyze samples to detect any contaminants, participate in adjusting chemical levels, and perform regular maintenance checks on machines to ensure efficiency... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • OSHA
   • Water Samples
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Test Water
   • Plumbing
   • Safety Procedures
   • Hazardous Chemicals
   • EPA
   • Water Quality
   • Non-Hazardous Waste
   • PH Meter
   • Test Results
   • Waste Treatment Plant
   • Waste Streams

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
   • Position require license issue by Illinois EPA.
   • Perform basic repairs and maintenance using plumbing and mechanical skills.
   • Perform repairs on all waste treatment and plating machinery, including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing relate breakdowns.
   • Work directly with production, engineering and maintenance personnel in the electroplating department.
   • Monitor, maintain and improve the operations of the industrial laboratory associate with the in house electroplating operation.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your waste treatment operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A waste treatment operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, waste treatment operators' average salary in arkansas is 57% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level waste treatment operators earn 47% less than senior-level waste treatment operators.
   • Certifications. A waste treatment operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a waste treatment operator's salary.

   Average waste treatment operator salary

   $47,317yearly

   $22.75 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level waste treatment operator salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a waste treatment operator job description

   A good waste treatment operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a waste treatment operator job description:

   Waste treatment operator job description example

   • $1,000 sign-on bonus & quarterly performance bonuses.
   • Enjoy flexible scheduling options & 4-day work weeks. Perfect for parents, students, and more!
   • Competitive pay based on experience.
   • Receive same day pay with Pay on Demand from Paylocity!
   • Enjoy 80 hours of Vacation and 16 hours of PTO (Prorated your first year based on date of hire).
   • 80 hours of paid holidays so you can enjoy your time with family and friends.
   • Feel recognized and valued with our monthly birthday and service anniversary celebrations.
   • Take advantage of our full suite of benefits such as medical, dental, and vision.
   • Protect your future with our comprehensive 401(k) plan and our company paid life insurance.
   • Feel secure with our short-term & long-term disability options.
   • Advance your career with company paid tuition reimbursement.

   About Northern Wire, EFG:

   Northern Wire is Elgin Fastener Group’s largest single-source supplier specializing in a wide range of functions such as wire forming, plating, heading, forging, forming, and more. Join our team of premier employees and become part of the Elgin Advantage!

   What Does a Wastewater Treatment Operator Do?

   • Maintains the sludge press including empty when full, prepare for filling after cleaning and properly handle the waste generated by cleaning.
   • Perform off-line cleaning of parts.
   • Maintain plant waste treatment systems.
   • Test & maintain chemical balance of plating baths.
   • Assist Line Rack Operators as needed.

   What makes an ideal candidate?

   • Detailed
   • Agile
   • Collaborative

   What are the requirements?

   • High School Diploma or a GED preferred.
   • Must be at least 18 years of age.
   • Previous wastewater treatment experience.
   • Must be able to lift 50lbs independently, safely, and repetitively.

   Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled

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5. Post your job

   To find the right waste treatment operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with waste treatment operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit waste treatment operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your waste treatment operator job on Zippia to find and recruit waste treatment operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit waste treatment operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new waste treatment operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the waste treatment operator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new waste treatment operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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