How to hire a water treatment specialist

How to hire a water treatment specialist, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The water treatment specialist 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

   A water treatment specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, water treatment specialists 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 water treatment specialists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Water Treatment Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Water Treatment Specialist	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.	$14-42
   Auxiliary Operator	An auxiliary operator controls and oversees various auxiliary equipment at facilities on a daily basis, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include conducting equipment readings, operating machinery and devices, maintaining records of procedures, and performing adjustments as needed... Show more	$20-39
   Utility Operator	Utility Operators are skilled employees who work with different machines, fixtures, and equipment. They operate a number of machines related to the maintenance of office facilities... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Environmental Health
   • Waste Water
   • Food Products
   • Water Treatment Equipment
   • Water Quality Analysis
   • Reverse Osmosis
   • Water Samples
   • Water Storage
   • Distribution Operations
   • Non-Potable Water
   • Inspect Facilities
   • Site Preparation
   • HVAC
   • Water Treatment Systems

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Repair and manage pumps, meters, hose, filters, plumbing part, chemical distribution systems and relate equipment.
   • Inspect and clean A/C ducts and air ventilation systems.
   • Draft NPDES permits and testify at public meetings and hearings.
   • Provide chemical safety and professional water treatment training for HVAC staff.
   • Interpret surveying plates using the COGO extension in ArcGIS to draw out land parcels.
   • Used GPS equipment during field visits to plot the locations of irrigation features and wells.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, water treatment specialists' average salary in arkansas is 58% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level water treatment specialists 66% less than senior-level water treatment specialists.
   • Certifications. A water treatment specialist 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 specialist's salary.

   Average water treatment specialist salary

   $52,749yearly

   $25.36 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level water treatment specialist salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a water treatment specialist job description

   A water treatment specialist 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 water treatment specialist job description:

   Water treatment specialist job description example

   If you're interested in a career in environmental health, join the Army National Guard as a Water Treatment Specialist. This role is paramount to the health and safety of your fellow Soldiers, and you will be the one to ensure that they live and work in sanitary conditions.
   
   Your duties will include: site reconnaissance and preparation for water treatment activity; set up equipment and facilities; operation and maintenance of water treatment equipment; management of portable water supplies; monitoring the storage, transport, and disposal of waste; water quality analysis and testing; and the inspection of facilities and food supplies for the presence of disease, germs, and other environmentally hazardous conditions.
   Helpful Skills
   Interest in algebra, biology, chemistry, and general science
   High attention to detail
   Interest in protecting the environment
   
   Through your training, you will develop the skills and experience to enjoy a civilian career as a food and drug inspector, public health inspector, health and safety inspector, or an industrial hygienist.
   
   Earn While You Learn
   Instead of paying to learn these skills, get paid to train. In the Army National Guard, you will learn these valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance.
   
   After 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you will learn fundamental Soldiering skills, you will attend 14 weeks of Advanced Individual Training that will include a combination of hands-on and classroom training where you will learn how to identify health hazards and how to inspect food products, food service operations, wastewater, and waste disposal facilities. You may even qualify for a certified apprenticeship in this occupation.
   
   Benefits/Requirements
   
   Benefits
   Paid training A monthly paycheck Montgomery GI Bill Federal and State tuition assistance Retirement benefits for part-time service Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage) 401(k)-type savings plan Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000, for existing loans) Health care benefits available VA home loans Bonuses, if applicable Most non-prior service candidates will earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change
   Requirements Military enlistment in the Army National Guard Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate Must be between the ages of 17 and 35 Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards Must meet citizenship requirements (see NATIONALGUARD.com for details)
   
   Requires military enlistment. Programs and benefits are subject to change. Ask your Army National Guard recruiter for the most up-to-date information. Actual MOS assignment may depend on MOS availability.
   
   Other Job Information
   
   Job Category: Supply and Logistics
   Age Requirements: Must be between the ages of 17 and 35 health inspector food quality-control lab test

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find water treatment specialists 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 water treatment specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit water treatment specialist 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 water treatment specialists, 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 water treatment specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the water treatment specialist 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 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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