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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wastewater Program Technician

💰 $ - $

EnvironmentalWastewaterTechnicianUtilities

🎯 Role Definition

The Wastewater Program Technician is a field-focused operations and compliance professional who supports wastewater treatment plant operations, collections systems, laboratory sampling, preventive maintenance, and regulatory reporting. This role ensures NPDES permit compliance, performs routine sampling and instrumentation calibration, responds to alarms and sanitary sewer overflows, and documents operational data to support plant performance, public health, and environmental protection. Strong technical aptitude, attention to detail, and adherence to safety and QA/QC procedures are essential.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Maintenance Technician or Utility Worker
  • Laboratory Technician or Environmental Field Technician
  • Collections System Worker / Pump Station Operator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Wastewater Technician / Lead Technician
  • Wastewater Operator (Class II/III) or Plant Operator
  • Wastewater Program Coordinator or Environmental Compliance Specialist
  • Operations Supervisor / Treatment Plant Superintendent

Lateral Moves:

  • Stormwater/Drainage Technician
  • Collections System Operator / CCTV Inspector
  • Environmental Field Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate, monitor, and adjust wastewater treatment processes and equipment (including aeration systems, clarifiers, chemical feed systems, pumps, blowers and sludge handling equipment) to meet effluent limits and optimize plant performance.
  • Conduct routine and compliance sampling (influent, effluent, process streams, biosolids) following EPA and state-approved sampling protocols, maintain chain-of-custody documentation, and prepare samples for laboratory analysis.
  • Perform laboratory tests in accordance with QA/QC procedures (BOD, TSS, pH, DO, ammonia, chlorine residual, conductivity, turbidity) using Hach and other field lab instrumentation and record results in logbooks and electronic databases.
  • Monitor SCADA/PLC systems and remote telemetry for real-time process data; respond to system alarms, perform remote adjustments when authorized, and escalate critical failures to supervisory staff.
  • Inspect, troubleshoot, and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, valves, instrumentation, chemical feed systems, and control panels to minimize downtime and ensure equipment reliability.
  • Complete operator rounds, record operational data, calculate unit process performance, and generate daily operational reports and shift logs for regulatory and management review.
  • Maintain compliance with NPDES permits and local/state regulations by documenting operational conditions, chemical usage, and discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and preparing supporting data for submittal.
  • Execute confined-space entries safely, following permit-required confined space procedures, using appropriate PPE, gas monitoring equipment, and rescue/entry attendant protocols.
  • Respond to sanitary sewer overflows, odor complaints, and emergency call-outs; perform field troubleshooting, spill containment, disinfection, and coordinated reporting to regulatory agencies as required.
  • Implement and maintain preventive maintenance schedules and computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) work orders; ensure accurate parts tracking and vendor coordination for repairs.
  • Calibrate and maintain process instrumentation and field meters (flow meters, level sensors, DO probes, pH electrodes, turbidity meters) and document calibration records to support data integrity.
  • Assist with biosolids handling and disposal operations, including dewatering equipment operation, sampling, recordkeeping, and application/transport documentation according to permit and biosolids management plans.
  • Conduct collections system inspections, pump station checks, and CCTV coordination for gravity mains and force mains; identify root causes of blockages and document recommended corrective actions.
  • Prepare, update, and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety data sheets (SDS), and operational checklists to ensure consistent treatment plant performance and regulatory compliance.
  • Support capital improvement projects and upgrades by providing field measurements, equipment specifications, as-built verification, and contractor coordination under the direction of engineers or program managers.
  • Maintain accurate GIS and asset management records for treatment plant equipment, pipelines, valves, and appurtenances; update maps and inventories after repairs or modifications.
  • Track chemical inventory, order supplies, and manage safe storage and handling of treatment chemicals (chlorine, polymers, coagulants, caustics) in compliance with hazard communication and local regulations.
  • Participate in routine safety programs, conduct job hazard analyses (JHAs), and lead toolbox talks; ensure compliance with OSHA, state safety rules, HAZWOPER, and local confined space entry requirements.
  • Prepare and submit routine regulatory reports (DMRs, incident reports, inspection logs), assist with permit renewals, and provide data for internal audits and third-party compliance reviews.
  • Train and mentor junior technicians, utility workers, or seasonal staff in field sampling, SOPs, safety protocols, and basic equipment operation to build team capability.
  • Maintain and operate collection system pumps and control systems including variable frequency drives (VFDs), check valves, and emergency generators; perform fuel checks and start/stop testing for backup power.
  • Conduct field-based odor control actions and monitoring, evaluate chemical feed rates for odor mitigation, and recommend process or infrastructure changes to reduce community complaints.
  • Assist in public outreach and customer service by responding to public inquiries, coordinating sewer use inspections, and supporting cross-connection or inflow/infiltration (I/I) investigations.

Secondary Functions

  • Support program-level data management, including entering sample results into laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and uploading operational data for trend analysis and reporting.
  • Assist environmental program staff with stormwater (MS4) inspections, outfall sampling, and illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE) investigations as needed.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting process optimizations, energy-efficiency measures, and cost-saving maintenance strategies.
  • Help develop and revise training materials, SOPs, and emergency response plans to reflect field lessons learned and regulatory changes.
  • Coordinate with contractors and vendors for specialized repairs, equipment calibrations, and annual service contracts; verify completed work and process invoices.
  • Support grant applications and capital budgeting by compiling historic performance data, operational cost estimates, and condition assessments for treatment assets.
  • Conduct periodic review of laboratory QA/QC data and assist the lab supervisor with corrective actions for out-of-range results or method detection limit issues.
  • Attend public meetings, technical advisory committees, and interdepartmental coordination sessions to represent wastewater operations and communicate program status.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Certification or working knowledge of Wastewater Treatment operations (e.g., Grade I–III Wastewater Operator certifications); familiarity with state/operator licensing requirements.
  • Proficient in SCADA/PLC monitoring and basic troubleshooting of control logic and telemetry systems.
  • Field sampling and laboratory testing skills: BOD, TSS, pH, DO, ammonia, chlorine residual, alkalinity, and use of portable Hach instruments.
  • Strong understanding of NPDES permit requirements, DMR preparation, and environmental regulatory compliance.
  • Experience with confined space entry procedures, gas monitoring, and PPE use; knowledge of OSHA and HAZWOPER standards.
  • Preventive maintenance and CMMS experience (creating work orders, tracking parts, scheduling maintenance).
  • Instrument calibration and maintenance skills for Level sensors, flow meters, pH probes, DO probes, and turbidity meters.
  • Mechanical aptitude for pump, valve, motor, gearbox troubleshooting, VFD basics, and HVAC on-site repairs.
  • Biosolids handling, dewatering operations, and knowledge of solids management best practices and permitting considerations.
  • Chain-of-custody, LIMS data entry, and understanding laboratory QA/QC protocols and method detection limits.
  • Basic GIS and asset management system competency for mapping pipelines and logging infrastructure data.
  • Familiarity with wastewater chemical feed systems (polymer, chlorine, coagulants) and safe chemical handling procedures.
  • Emergency response capability and incident documentation for SSOs, spills, and upset conditions.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear reporting, regulatory correspondence, and public interactions.
  • Attention to detail and data accuracy for sampling, logkeeping, and compliance reporting.
  • Analytical and problem-solving mindset to diagnose process upsets and implement corrective actions.
  • Team player with the ability to coordinate across operations, maintenance, laboratory, and engineering teams.
  • Time management and ability to prioritize urgent field work while maintaining routine monitoring tasks.
  • Customer-service orientation when interacting with citizens, regulatory agencies, and contractors.
  • Adaptability and resilience in 24/7 operations environments with on-call and emergency response duties.
  • Leadership and mentoring capability to train junior staff and promote best practices.
  • Safety-first attitude and ability to enforce and model safe work behaviors.
  • Project coordination skills to support small capital projects and vendor oversight.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required; vocational training or certificate in wastewater technology preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's degree in Water/Wastewater Technology, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering Technology, or related technical field.
  • Coursework in chemistry, microbiology, hydraulics, and instrumentation is an advantage.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Water/Wastewater Technology
  • Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering Technology
  • Civil Engineering Technology
  • Biology or Chemistry
  • Industrial Maintenance / Instrumentation Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of relevant experience in wastewater treatment plant operations, collections systems, or environmental field work.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years of combined operations and laboratory sampling experience at municipal or industrial wastewater facilities.
  • Demonstrated experience with NPDES permit compliance, SCADA systems, confined space entry, and CMMS.
  • Current or ability to obtain necessary certifications (State Wastewater Operator Grade I/II, HAZWOPER 40-hour or 8-hour refresher, confined space entry, CPR/First Aid, valid driver's license).
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