How to hire a wastewater treatment plant supervisor

How to hire a wastewater treatment plant supervisor, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your wastewater treatment plant supervisor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a wastewater treatment plant supervisor for hire on a part-time basis or as a 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 plant supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, wastewater treatment plant supervisors 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of wastewater treatment plant supervisors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor	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.	$15-44
   Shop Supervisor	A shop supervisor is responsible for monitoring the overall operations of a store, delegating tasks to the shop personnel, and ensuring the highest quality service to the customers for their satisfaction. Shop supervisors handle the sales inventory and process bank transactions every closing... Show more	$14-40
   Supervisor	Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the daily functions of employees in a specific team, department, or even a work shift. They create work schedules, organize work processes and workflows, train new hires, provide necessary reports related to the team function and the employees, monitor and evaluate employee performance, and ensure that goals of the specific team or department are met... Show more	$14-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Treatment Processes
   • Process Control
   • Water Treatment
   • Plant Operators
   • Plant Equipment
   • Clarifiers
   • SCADA
   • NPDES
   • TSS
   • Regulatory Agencies
   • Routine Maintenance
   • MGD

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop and lead training programs in preparation for combat.
   • Maintain and operate wastewater facility in combination with operating lab analysis to assure proper treatment according to EPA permit.
   • Serve as support staff to administrative assistant, treatment coordinators, and foster home directors.
   • Review monthly reports by coordinators.
   • Operate, monitor and troubleshoot the water/wastewater treatment facility.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, wastewater treatment plant supervisors' average salary in oklahoma is 59% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level wastewater treatment plant supervisors 66% less than senior-level wastewater treatment plant supervisors.
   • Certifications. A wastewater treatment plant supervisor 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 treatment plant supervisor's salary.

   Average wastewater treatment plant supervisor salary

   $54,948yearly

   $26.42 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level wastewater treatment plant supervisor salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing a wastewater treatment plant supervisor job description

   A job description for a wastewater treatment plant supervisor role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a wastewater treatment plant supervisor job description:

   Wastewater treatment plant supervisor job description example

   NOTE: THIS IS A REPOSTING OF N-2022-22386 WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY OPEN FROM 07/11/2022 TO 08/03/2022. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY.
   
   As a leading organization in the Maintenance of Pennsylvania's Highways, the Department of Transportation, Montour County Maintenance Organization, is seeking to fill a vacancy for full-time Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor position to support the maintenance of wastewater treatment plant and roadside facilities of the county highway systems. Join the Montour County team with this exciting career opportunity!!This is supervisory work in the operation and maintenance of a sewage treatment plant.
   
   Under the direction of the Assistant County Maintenance Manager you will supervise a maintenance crew in maintaining Department of Transportation Roadside Rest Facilities including the Operation and Maintenance of two (2) 0.0075 MGD Wastewater treatment facilities and two (2) 0.00075 MGD, GWUDI Public water systems, and Monthly DMR reporting to both Pa DEP and Pa DOT management. You will oversee operations to ensure they are within compliance and to be responsive to potential issues, and will investigate operational and equipment issues and oversee best practice methods. You will also be responsible for the cleaning and routine maintenance of the roadside rest facilities and grounds.
   
   WWTP Supervisor is responsible for employee scheduling to provide uninterrupted staffing 2 shifts per day 7 days a week, regardless of weather events, pandemic, holiday, or other factors, and is also responsible for employee attendance, leave time, and submission daily work hours.
   
   You will schedule routine daily activities to provide for a safe, clean, and well stocked experience for the visiting public. In addition, scheduling of minor repairs, routine maintenance, upgrades, snow, ice and grass management will also be necessary.
   
   Provide daily safety talks, administer mandatory safety talks, and ensure all subordinates and him/her self is current on required trainings as assigned by Pa DOT, and will identify and enforce proper PPE for assignments and job specific duties as required and/or by policy.
   
   Responsible for reactive response and corrective action to equipment failures, weather events, environmental issues, property damage, motor vehicle issues and public safety through proper detailed reporting to Pa DOT , PA DEP, and PSP, as needed. Maintains detailed records of all events.
   Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
   
   Work Schedule and Additional Information:
   
   * Full-time employment.
   * Work hours are 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
   * Irregular hours and overtime may be required.
   * Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
   * You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
   
   * One year of experience as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (commonwealth
   
   title); or
   * One year of experience in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment
   
   plant.
   
   Necessary Special Requirements:
   
   * Position requires possession of a valid Wastewater operator license, Class D, Subclass "1", issued by the Pennsylvania State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater System Operators. Applicant should either Possess a Valid Water Operator License as a Water treatment operator, or have experience working as a Class Dc , Subclass 7,8,9 Water operator for a Non-Community, Transient GWUDI Public Water system.
   
   Additional Requirement:
   
   * You must be able to perform essential job functions.
   
   Preferred Qualifications (not required):
   
   * Pa DEP Wastewater System Operator Class D, Subclass 1 License, and Pa DEP Water Operator Class Dc, Subclass 7,8,9, License.
   
   How to Apply:
   
   * Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
   * If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
   * Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
   
   Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
   
   * 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
   
   The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find wastewater treatment plant supervisors 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 plant supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit wastewater treatment plant supervisor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit wastewater treatment plant supervisors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   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 treatment plant supervisor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the wastewater treatment plant supervisor 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new wastewater treatment plant supervisor 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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