Water / Wastewater Treatment Plant / System Operator

Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Plant Operator; Process Operator (Process Op); Relief Operator; Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP Operator); Wastewater Operator (WW Operator); Wastewater Technician (Wastewater Tech); Water Control Dispatcher; Water Plant Operator; Water Treatment Operator; Water Treatment Plant Operator

Tasks

• Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
• Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
• Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
• Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
• Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
• Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
• Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
• Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.

Knowledge

• Public Safety and Security
• Mechanical
• English Language
• Administration and Management
• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Education and Training
• Customer and Personal Service
• Computers and Electronics
• Engineering and Technology
• Law and Government
• Biology
• Administrative
• Production and Processing

Skills

• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Near Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Selective Attention
• Control Precision
• Written Expression
• Flexibility of Closure
• Perceptual Speed
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Trunk Strength
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity