How to hire a water treatment plant supervisor

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

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your water 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 water 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

   Hiring the perfect water treatment plant supervisor 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.

   Here's a comparison of water treatment plant supervisor salaries for various roles:

   Type of Water Treatment Plant Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Water Treatment Plant Supervisor		$18-51
   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
   Processing Supervisor	A processing supervisor is responsible for overseeing the overall operational processes of a department and ensuring that the team members adhere to the highest quality standards and efficiency. Processing supervisors strategize efficient techniques to maximize the productivity and performance of the staff to deliver customer satisfaction and increase the company's brand reputation to the public... Show more	$17-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Water Treatment Plant
   • Water Treatment Operations
   • Plant Operations
   • EPA
   • SCADA
   • Water Samples
   • Safety Standards
   • Water Treatment Facility
   • Plant Equipment
   • Water Production
   • Water Systems
   • Potable Water
   • Test Results
   • MGD

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish SCADA upgrades from contractors.
   • Manage a calibration budget of $100k and capital budget of ~ $1.0 MM.
   • Negotiate and obtain renewed NPDES permit for the facility.
   • Handle all correspondence and reports with the state and EPA agencies.
   • Maintain and operate wastewater facility in combination with operating lab analysis to assure proper treatment according to EPA permit.
   • Support pilot plant downstream operations such as centrifugation, filtration, chromatography, and homogenization activities.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, water treatment plant supervisors' average salary in iowa is 42% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level water treatment plant supervisors 64% less than senior-level water treatment plant supervisors.
   • Certifications. A water 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 water treatment plant supervisor's salary.

   Average water treatment plant supervisor salary

   $64,203yearly

   $30.87 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level water treatment plant supervisor salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a water treatment plant supervisor job description

   A water treatment plant supervisor 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 water treatment plant supervisor job description:

   Water treatment plant supervisor job description example

   The Department of Corrections, State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill is seeking a highly motivated Corrections Water Treatment Plant Foreman!
   
   As a Corrections Water Treatment Plant Foreman for the Department of Corrections, you will be responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing pumps, valves, chlorinators, chemical feeders, compressors, laboratory equipment and computer monitoring systems to effectively support the ongoing operation of a 1.2 million gallon capacity water treatment plant.
   
   This includes performing all daily laboratory testing and equipment calibration required to meet Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations and providing proper daily chemical dosage to maintain normal plant operations. You will also monitor and interpret visual and aural gauges, meters, and sensing devices and take necessary corrective action measures, if required. You will also oversee inmate workers in the performance of janitorial/maintenance work details while assigned to the water treatment plant, and ensure tool control and caustic/toxic supply inventory records are maintained in accordance with applicable regulations and policies.
   
   Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
   Work Schedule and Additional Information:
   
   * Full-time employment, 40 hour work week.
   * Work hours are 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Wednesday - Sunday.
   * Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. If you are new to Commonwealth employment you will be starting at the starting salary.
   * This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55
   * 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 in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant.
   
   Necessary Special Requirements:
   
   * Possession of a valid certificate issued by the Pennsylvania State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators as a water treatment plant operator that is equal to or higher than a Class C certificate.
   * Possession of a valid Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.
   
   Additional Requirement:
   
   * You must be able to perform essential job functions.
   
   Legal Requirements:
   
   * A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
   * You must pass a background investigation.
   
   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/certification in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts/certificate for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
   * Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
   * 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

   To find water treatment plant supervisors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any water treatment plant supervisors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level water treatment plant supervisors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting water treatment plant supervisors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 water treatment plant supervisor

   Once you've decided on a perfect water treatment plant supervisor 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 water 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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