How to hire a wastewater treatment operator

How to hire a wastewater treatment operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step wastewater 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 wastewater treatment operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new wastewater treatment operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a wastewater treatment operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a wastewater treatment operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A wastewater treatment operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, wastewater 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 wastewater treatment operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Wastewater Treatment Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Wastewater 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.	$15-30
   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
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plant Equipment
   • Process Control
   • Blowers
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Ladders
   • Plant Operations
   • Test Results
   • Lab Analysis
   • SCADA
   • Control Panels
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Gauge Readings
   • Wastewater Treatment Facility
   • CDL

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
   • Monitor plant and lift station performance by regularly checking SCADA system on computer.
   • Inspect facilities, equipment and plumbing for effects for corrosive, flammable and combustible gas.
   • Optimize internal controls and process to comply with new parameters set by EPA and JCA.
   • Review and remain current on OSHA standards and regulations for general industry and perform safety audits.
   • Utilize computers for SCADA monitoring, data input, work order tracking and other uses of technology.

   More wastewater treatment operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the wastewater treatment operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A wastewater treatment operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a wastewater treatment operator in Florida may be lower than in Idaho, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level wastewater treatment operator. Additionally, a wastewater treatment operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average wastewater treatment operator salary

   $45,618yearly

   $21.93 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level wastewater treatment operator salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average wastewater treatment operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$73,252	$35
   2	California	$71,700	$34
   3	Oregon	$56,822	$27
   4	Colorado	$56,464	$27
   5	Massachusetts	$55,110	$27
   6	Connecticut	$54,818	$26
   7	Rhode Island	$53,955	$26
   8	New York	$50,744	$24
   9	Virginia	$50,712	$24
   10	Ohio	$50,676	$24
   11	Nebraska	$50,651	$24
   12	Arizona	$44,033	$21
   13	Maryland	$42,707	$21
   14	Texas	$37,775	$18
   15	North Carolina	$37,563	$18
   16	Florida	$35,442	$17
   17	Georgia	$35,423	$17

   Average wastewater treatment operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory	$64,501	$31.01	1
   2	Jacobs Engineering Group	$59,648	$28.68
   3	OMNOVA Solutions	$58,737	$28.24	1
   4	Town of Manchester Town Hall	$58,372	$28.06
   5	City Of San Mateo	$56,956	$27.38	1
   6	City of Scottsdale	$56,838	$27.33	2
   7	City of Roseville Michigan	$56,746	$27.28
   8	Utz Brands	$56,073	$26.96	6
   9	Molson Coors	$55,715	$26.79	5
   10	Aqua	$54,478	$26.19	5
   11	American Water	$54,033	$25.98	14
   12	Civil & Environmental Consultants	$53,566	$25.75	1
   13	Johnsonville	$53,175	$25.56
   14	King County	$52,654	$25.31	2
   15	City of Palm Bay	$52,292	$25.14	1
   16	Clean Harbors	$51,973	$24.99	49
   17	County Of Los Angeles Public Library	$51,412	$24.72
   18	Lamb Weston	$51,203	$24.62	5
   19	New York State Restaurant Association	$49,991	$24.03
   20	Mountaire Farms	$49,894	$23.99	9

4. Writing a wastewater treatment operator job description

   A wastewater treatment 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 wastewater treatment operator job description:

   Wastewater treatment operator job description example

   JBS OMAHA Wastewater DAF & Centrifuge Operator
   Position Title: Wastewater DAF & Centrifuge Operator
   Reports to: Rendering Superintendent
   Duration/Usual Hours Per Week: Full-Time, 40 to 48 Hours Per Week.
   Shift/Work Days: 1st Shift, 5-6 days per week
   Duties and Responsibilities of the Job:
   Wastewater DAF & Centrifuge Operator is primarily a day shift position but will have some time on 2nd shift to finish up the process, clean and CIP the centrifuge. Availability to work other shifts to cover vacations and absences is required. The operator will be required to load the grease onto tanker trailers. Desired abilities include, but are not limited to: Operation of horizontal / vertical centrifuges; Operation of screening equipment; Operation of Wastewater Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) system and skimmers; Loading of grease onto a tanker trailer; Adjustment of process chemicals as required; Adjustment of steam valves; basic preventative maintenance; forklift operation; understanding and operating touch screen controls and performing clean-in-place (CIP) procedures. The position interacts and must communicate effectively with other plant operations & maintenance personnel. The position will also require participation and responsibility in all company safety, food safety and environmental management programs. Required Skills:
   Good verbal and written communication skills.
   Basic Computer Skills. Experience / Qualifications: Prior wastewater experience preferred but not required. Ability to multi-task.
   Ability to understand and operate touch screen-controlled equipment.
   Attention to detail.
   Team oriented. Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOP's). Ability to work in a wet and steamy environment. Ability to lift 50 lbs. Ability to work with chemicals.
   “The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct a drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. It is a job expectation that all new employees have, at minimum, the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in advance of their first date of employment. If you need assistance in obtaining a vaccine, the Company can help schedule you with one of its healthcare partners following a conditional job offer, if one is made.” JBS is an equal opportunity employer. EOE/Vet

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find wastewater treatment 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 wastewater treatment operator job on Zippia to find and recruit wastewater 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 wastewater 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 wastewater treatment operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the wastewater 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new wastewater 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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How much does it cost to hire a wastewater treatment operator?