How to hire a waste water operator

How to hire a waste water operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step waste water 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 water operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new waste water 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 water operator you need to hire. Certain waste water 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a waste water operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a waste water operator that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of waste water operators.

   Type of Waste Water Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Waste Water 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.	$15-27
   Water Treatment Technician	Water treatment technicians work every day in observing agricultural plant functions, which includes obtaining the daily requirements and making suitable adjustments to satisfy those demands. They carefully implement process sampling to exactly gauge and keep track of levels... Show more	$13-32
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Water Samples
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Water Treatment Plant
   • CDL
   • Asphalt
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Lab Tests
   • Process Control
   • Plumbing
   • Pump Stations
   • Water Quality
   • Hand Tools
   • OSHA
   • Plant Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
   • Recommend measures to prevent accident and health hazards in compliance with OSHA regulations.
   • Exercise good safety practice in accordance with OSHA mandate confined space entry standards.
   • Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
   • Operate small rotating biological contractor plant that utilize activated sludge with sand filters and UV disinfection to process wastewater.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your waste water operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A waste water operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, waste water operators' average salary in arkansas is 56% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level waste water operators 45% less than senior-level waste water operators.
   • Certifications. A waste water operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a waste water operator's salary.

   Average waste water operator salary

   $43,470yearly

   $20.90 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level waste water operator salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a waste water operator job description

   A waste water operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a waste water operator job description:

   Waste water operator job description example

   A Wastewater Level C Operator currently holds a Level I license ( May be in process of certification; employment is conditional on passing certification test.) Will have at least one year of acceptable operating experience. Operates mostly under supervision.
   **Duties/Activities Required by Job**
   
   + Supervised Operation of the Water Treatment system
   
   + Adhere to all safety requirements, including PPE, preventing and reporting unsafe acts and conditions. Lock out Tag out procedures and Process Safety Management related matters.
   
   + Assists with Compliance Recordkeeping
   
   + Perform process control lab work
   
   + Maintenance of wastewater equipment
   
   **Educations/Experience Requirements**
   
   + HS Diploma or equivalency
   
   + 1 year of acceptable operating experience
   
   + Active WW license Level I; may be scheduled or pending at management discretion.
   
   **ABOUT US**
   
   Are you looking for more than just a job? The culture at Mountaire is one of our greatest strengths and most valued assets. We maintain the same core values and family-focused work environment that we've operated with since day one. You will find that your peers, supervisor and team members are genuinely committed to, not only your success, but also working together to provide high-quality products to our customers. We are a service to one another and to our customers, demonstrating operational excellence and outstanding performance.
   
   **ABOUT THE TEAM**
   
   **Mountaire Overview**
   
   Mountaire Corporation and its two operating affiliates, Mountaire Farms Inc. and Mountaire Farms of Delaware, Inc. (collectively, "Mountaire Farms" or "Mountaire"), are agricultural food production and processing companies providing competitive jobs to almost 10,000 dedicated employees at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Now the fourth largest chicken company in the United States, we are still family owned and fully committed to giving back to the communities where we do business. At Mountaire Farms, our culture is what defines us. It sets us apart from our competition and reinforces what we stand for. Supporting each other, uplifting each other, and helping each other succeed -- that's the Mountaire way! Our vision is to provide growth, stability, and opportunities for our people, our customers, and our communities by profitably delivering wholesome quality chicken.
   
   **Total Compensation**
   
   Mountaire also offers an amazing total compensation package! A few examples of our benefits that may be offered to you are: eight paid holidays, Medical Plans with free onsite Health and Wellness Centers, Dental and Vision Programs, Employee Assistance Program for you and your family, Retirement Planning with 401(k), Profit Sharing, Employee Discounted Chicken Sales, Employee Discounts with partners (Car Purchase, Phone Plans, & Shopping), Tuition Reimbursement at up to $6,000 annually, and many exciting career development programs!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find waste water operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with waste water operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   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 water operator

   Once you've selected the best waste water operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing 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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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