How to hire a wastewater process engineer

How to hire a wastewater process engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step wastewater process engineer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The wastewater process engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect wastewater process engineer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of wastewater process engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Wastewater Process Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Wastewater Process Engineer	Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.	$30-51
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62
   Process Engineer Internship	A process engineering intern performs various tasks for an organization. These include collaborating with the technical team on cost savings, process efficiency improvements, and technology advancement, attending meetings with leadership teams, and participating in customer trials... Show more	$14-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Biowin
   • EPA
   • P Id
   • Collection Systems

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead and participate in KAIZEN events, IQ, OQ, PQ activities, set-up reduction techniques.
   • Develop a method to get AutoCad isometric drawings relevant to relief valve transferred electronically to the relief valve sizing package.
   • Monitor potable pilot plant for chlorination/dechlorination technologies including ozone, UV, chlorine gas/liquid emulsions, and peroxide.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, wastewater process engineers' average salary in missouri is 41% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level wastewater process engineers 41% less than senior-level wastewater process engineers.
   • Certifications. A wastewater process engineer 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 wastewater process engineer's salary.

   Average wastewater process engineer salary

   $83,885yearly

   $40.33 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level wastewater process engineer salary

   $64,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a wastewater process engineer job description

   A wastewater process engineer 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a wastewater process engineer job description:

   Wastewater process engineer job description example

   Dewberry | Hydro has an excellent career opportunity available for a Senior Water/Wastewater Process Engineer in Central Florida Water Market. The engineer will be responsible for supporting our team on water and wastewater treatment projects for public, energy, and industrial sector clients. Seeking client focused individual with strong technical and consulting skills.
   
   Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 50 locations and 2,000 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors are our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you're an experienced professional or a new graduate, you'll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call "Dewberry at Work," that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.
   + Preparation of engineering reports.
   
   + Developing opinions of probable project cost.
   
   + Coordinating design with other design disciplines.
   
   + Conducting process and equipment sizing calculations.
   
   + Developing design drawings and specifications
   
   + Reviewing shop drawing submittals.
   
   + Providing construction phase engineering services.
   
   + Modeling of biological, chemical, and physical unit water/wastewater treatment processes.
   
   + Performing preliminary engineering and feasibility studies.
   
   + Minimum B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Civil Engineering field is required. Advanced degree or equivalent industry experience preferred.
   
   + 10+ years' experience with advanced water or wastewater treatment increasing levels of project engagement.
   
   + Florida PE license is required.
   
   + Experience working with multi-disciplined design team.
   
   + Experience in development of design documentation.
   
   + Experience in leading a team in designing, selecting and specifying water and/or wastewater treatment process equipment (membranes, pumps, blowers, mixers, filters, tanks, etc.).
   
   + Experience in development of process flow diagrams and coordination of other supporting disciplines
   
   + Strong written and verbal communication skills.
   
   *At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.
   
   *Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.
   
   *Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry's background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.
   
   ID: 10451
   
   Relocation Bonus Eligible: Yes
   
   Service Line: IES
   
   External Company URL: www.dewberry.com
   
   Street: 202 Lake Miriam Drive, Suite E1

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find wastewater process engineers 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 wastewater process engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit wastewater process engineer 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 wastewater process engineers, 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 wastewater process engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect wastewater process engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   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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