Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wastewater Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Wastewater Assistant supports safe, compliant, and efficient operation of wastewater collection systems and treatment plants. This role performs routine sampling, basic laboratory analyses, process monitoring, equipment inspections, and preventative maintenance under the supervision of licensed operators and plant managers. The Wastewater Assistant helps maintain compliance with NPDES permits, supports emergency response activities, and documents process data for regulatory reporting and operational optimization.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Laboratory Technician or Environmental Lab Assistant transitioning into field operations.
Maintenance Technician or Mechanical Helper with interest in water/wastewater systems.
Recent graduates with an Associate's in Environmental Science, Water Resources, or Industrial Maintenance.

Advancement To:

Wastewater Plant Operator (Grade I–III)
Senior WWTP Operator or Shift Lead
Wastewater Treatment Technician II / Process Control Technician
Laboratory Supervisor or Compliance Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Compliance Specialist
Pump Station / Collection System Technician
Instrumentation & Controls Technician (SCADA focus)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Collect and log representative wastewater samples (influent, effluent, sludge, and process streams) following EPA/NPDES sampling protocols, maintaining chain-of-custody and accurate field notes to support regulatory compliance and laboratory analysis.
Perform routine bench laboratory tests, including BOD, COD, TSS, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, ammonia, nitrate, chlorine residual, and conductivity using Hach or equivalent instrumentation, ensuring quality control and calibration documentation.
Monitor plant process parameters through SCADA and local control panels, record flow rates, pump status, chemical feed rates, and tank levels; alert operators to anomalies and document corrective actions taken.
Assist with operation and routine adjustment of chemical dosing systems (coagulants, flocculants, polymers, chlorine/bleach, sulfur dioxide, caustic) to optimize treatment performance and meet discharge limits.
Conduct daily inspections of treatment units (screens, grit removal, primary clarifiers, aeration basins, secondary clarifiers, UV/chlorine disinfection, digesters) and perform preventive maintenance tasks such as greasing bearings, replacing filters, and cleaning screens.
Operate and troubleshoot pumps, blowers, mixers, valves, and sludge handling equipment, coordinating minor repairs and escalating complex mechanical or electrical issues to maintenance teams.
Assist in sludge management operations including thickening, dewatering (centrifuge/press), sludge hauling preparation, and biosolids sampling while following safety and environmental handling procedures.
Respond to plant alarms, odor complaints, and after-hours emergencies (power outages, pump failures, bypasses), execute containment procedures, and support incident documentation and root-cause follow-up.
Maintain accurate operational logs, laboratory notebooks, chain-of-custody forms, and electronic records to support permit reporting, audits, and continuous improvement efforts.
Participate in composite sampler programming, automatic sampler maintenance, and hands-on sampling for influent and effluent compliance monitoring.
Support permit compliance activities including monthly/quarterly sample collection for NPDES parameters, assisting with preparation of permit reports and uploading data to regulatory portals.
Carry out confined space entry tasks under supervision (manholes, wet wells, digesters) following lockout/tagout (LOTO), gas testing, and attendant requirements to ensure team safety.
Assist with odor control measures, chemical storage inspections, and housekeeping to minimize public nuisance and ensure safe plant conditions.
Perform basic electrical and instrumentation checks (meter verification, sensor cleaning, probe calibration), and assist instrumentation staff by documenting faults and helping with minor instrument replacements.
Execute cross-connection inspections, grease trap monitoring, and lift station checks throughout collection systems, escalating issues for repair and coordinating with field crews for maintenance.
Support operational optimization projects by collecting baseline data, assisting with pilot trials (chemical changes, process modifications), and documenting performance impacts.
Train on and maintain knowledge of safety procedures, PPE usage, hazardous chemical handling (MSDS), and waste disposal methods to ensure compliance with OSHA, local, and federal regulations.
Participate in routine plant sampling required for industrial pretreatment programs and assist with tracking industrial dischargers’ compliance documentation.
Assist senior staff with routine calibrations and performance checks of laboratory equipment (spectrophotometers, titration setups, DO probes) and maintain laboratory reagent inventories and QC supplies.
Support community outreach and inspection activities by accompanying engineers or operators during public meetings, customer complaint investigations, and education events related to sewer use ordinances and FOG (fats, oils, grease) prevention.
Help prepare basic operational and maintenance reports, contribute to weekly/monthly KPI dashboards (effluent quality trends, plant availability, energy usage), and suggest practical process adjustments based on observed data.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc sampling requests, special studies (e.g., toxicity, emerging contaminants), and exploratory data collection for pilot projects and optimization efforts.
Assist with the organization's wastewater asset management program by documenting equipment condition, updating maintenance histories in CMMS, and tagging assets for scheduled upkeep.
Contribute to safety audits, toolbox talks, and training rollouts focused on confined space, HAZWOPER, and permit-related SOPs.
Aid the laboratory in method validation, reagent preparation, and the implementation of corrective actions from internal audits or third-party inspections.
Collaborate with engineering and environmental compliance teams to gather field data needed for permit renewals, capital project scoping, and cost estimates.
Provide hands-on support during seasonal load changes, storm events, and wet-weather operations to help maintain system resilience and prevent regulatory exceedances.
Participate in cross-functional shift handovers and documentation to ensure continuity of operations and accurate problem tracking across teams.
Assist with inventory management and procurement of critical spares, chemicals, and PPE to maintain uninterrupted treatment operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Wastewater process fundamentals: knowledge of primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment processes, sludge handling, disinfection, and basic process control.
Field sampling and chain-of-custody procedures for NPDES compliance and internal quality assurance.
Laboratory analyses: hands-on experience with BOD, COD, TSS, pH, DO, chlorine residual, ammonia, nitrate, and turbidity testing; familiarity with Hach methods and titration techniques.
SCADA monitoring and basic troubleshooting: reading trends, acknowledging alarms, and collecting remote telemetry data.
Chemical feed systems: set-up, adjustment, and troubleshooting of metering pumps, chemical storage, and dosing control.
Mechanical competency: operation and basic maintenance of pumps, compressors, mixers, valves, and conveyors.
Confined space entry procedures, gas detection instruments (ppm, LEL), and attendant responsibilities.
Instrument calibration and maintenance: DO probes, pH meters, turbidity meters, and flow meters.
Regulatory knowledge: basic understanding of NPDES permits, discharge limits, reporting schedules, and sampling frequency requirements.
Asset management and CMMS usage: recording work orders, updating equipment histories, and scheduling preventative maintenance.
Health, safety, and environmental compliance: OSHA, HAZWOPER awareness, LOTO, PPE selection, and MSDS interpretation.
Basic electrical and instrumentation awareness: multimeter use, wiring identification, and documenting instrumentation alarms.
Sludge dewatering and biosolids handling operations including centrifuge/press operation and polymer feed optimization.
GIS or pump station route familiarity for collection system checks (preferred).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail for accurate sampling, lab work, and regulatory documentation.
Clear verbal and written communication to report plant conditions, prepare logs, and coordinate with operators and regulatory staff.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to troubleshoot process upsets, equipment faults, and laboratory anomalies.
Teamwork and collaboration across operations, maintenance, and laboratory groups.
Time management and prioritization to balance routine monitoring, scheduled maintenance, and emergency response.
Adaptability and willingness to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and on-call rotations when required.
Initiative to identify small continuous improvement opportunities and escalate appropriately.
Customer service orientation for handling public inquiries, industrial discharger interactions, and community engagement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with coursework or certificates related to chemistry, biology, or industrial trades.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Environmental Science, Water/Wastewater Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or related technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science or Technology
Water/Wastewater Treatment Technology
Biology, Chemistry, or Laboratory Science
Mechanical or Electrical Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years of relevant experience; entry-level candidates with strong lab/classroom experience and internships will be considered.

Preferred:

1–3 years in a wastewater plant, municipal/stormwater collection system, environmental laboratory, or industrial wastewater setting.

Certifications that strengthen candidacy: Wastewater Operator (Grade I or trainee), OSHA 10/30, Confined Space Entry, HAZWOPER (24–40 hr), First Aid/CPR, and any manufacturer-specific equipment training (e.g., Hach, Xylem).