Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wastewater Treatment Operator

🎯 Role Definition

The Wastewater Treatment Operator safely operates, monitors and maintains wastewater treatment plant processes and equipment to ensure regulatory compliance (NPDES/permit limits), protect public health and the environment, and deliver reliable, cost-effective treatment services. This role includes SCADA monitoring, laboratory sampling and testing, chemical feed adjustments, routine and corrective maintenance, emergency response, accurate recordkeeping, and participation in continuous process optimization initiatives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Wastewater Apprentice / Trainee
Maintenance Technician or Plant Mechanic
Environmental Laboratory Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Wastewater Operator / Shift Lead
Chief Plant Operator / Operations Supervisor
WWTP Manager / Utilities Manager
Environmental Compliance Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Collection System Operator (sewer maintenance)
Laboratory Analyst (wastewater testing)
Instrumentation & Controls Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate, monitor and optimize biological, chemical and physical treatment processes (activated sludge, trickling filters, lagoons, membrane bioreactors, chemical precipitation, filtration and disinfection) to meet NPDES permit limits and internal performance goals.
Continuously monitor SCADA systems, process alarms, flow meters, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, turbidity, and other critical sensors; respond immediately to abnormal conditions and escalate per emergency procedures.
Perform routine and scheduled laboratory testing including BOD5/CBOD, TSS, settleable solids, pH, alkalinity, chlorine residual, ammonia, nitrate, fecal coliform/E. coli, conductivity and other parameters; interpret results and adjust process controls and chemical feed rates accordingly.
Adjust and calibrate chemical feed systems (coagulants, polymer, chlorine, sodium bisulfite, caustic) to maintain optimal treatment efficiency and safe residuals.
Manage sludge handling and biosolids processes—dewatering, thickening, drying, hauling coordination, and documentation—to control solids inventory and meet disposal/regulatory requirements.
Conduct routine inspections, preventive maintenance and repairs on pumps, motors, blowers, centrifuges, compressors, valves, grit removal systems, clarifiers and piping to maintain uptime and extend equipment life.
Maintain complete and accurate operating logs, shift reports, chain-of-custody documentation, lab records and NPDES/DMR reporting in accordance with regulatory schedules and audit readiness.
Respond to alarms, power outages, sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), plant upsets and other emergencies, implementing containment, mitigation and corrective actions to protect public health and the environment.
Execute confined space entries, lockout-tagout (LOTO), and other safety-critical tasks per established procedures and permit requirements.
Perform bench and field testing using laboratory instruments (spectrophotometers, incubators, DO probes) and ensure laboratory QA/QC, reagent control and instrument calibration.
Conduct start-up and shutdown of pumps, blowers, dosing systems and generators; perform manual operations and automatic control transitions safely and efficiently.
Troubleshoot process upsets and mechanical/electrical failures, diagnose root causes and coordinate with maintenance or external vendors for corrective repairs.
Participate in and document operational process optimization initiatives, including pilot tests, chemical trials, energy efficiency measures, and data-driven process control improvements.
Coordinate with environmental compliance staff and regulators during inspections, permit renewals, and enforcement communications; provide required records and technical explanations.
Safely handle, store and document hazardous chemicals and materials, maintain MSDS/SDS sheets, and follow HAZMAT, HAZWOPER and PPE requirements.
Supervise or train entry-level operators and apprentices; provide coaching on process fundamentals, safety practices and plant standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Operate and maintain plant vehicles, loaders, skid steers and other light equipment during plant operations, sludge handling and site maintenance tasks.
Manage inventory of spare parts, treatment chemicals, lab supplies and PPE; place orders and track usage to support continuous operations.
Implement and participate in preventative maintenance programs, using CMMS (computerized maintenance management systems) to schedule, document and close work orders.
Perform field-based sampling throughout collection and treatment systems, maintain proper chain-of-custody and prepare samples for in-house or third-party laboratory analysis.
Maintain clear communication with dispatch, public works, contractors and the community regarding planned shutdowns, bypasses, and emergency repairs.
Enforce and participate in facility safety programs: confined space, respiratory protection, fall protection, lockout-tagout, and first aid/CPR training.
Prepare technical reports, daily and monthly operating summaries, and contribute to budget planning for chemicals, energy and capital maintenance.
Monitor and control odor sources, implement best management practices for odor mitigation and respond to community odor complaints.
Support capital projects and equipment installations by providing operational expertise, performing pre-commissioning checks and assisting contractors during start-up.

Secondary Functions

Maintain SCADA and instrumentation documentation, update setpoints and assist instrumentation staff with calibration schedules and troubleshooting.
Compile and analyze operational trends, generate reports and recommend process tuning or capital upgrades to improve compliance and reduce costs.
Participate in cross-functional teams for asset management, energy optimization and sustainability projects (e.g., biosolids reuse, nutrient removal upgrades).
Assist with public outreach, educational tours and communication regarding plant operations, regulatory milestones and environmental benefits.
Support purchasing and vendor coordination for specialty chemicals, parts and services; review invoices and warranties for compliance.
Contribute to training materials, SOP updates and operator certification exam preparation for the team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Wastewater treatment process knowledge: activated sludge, aeration control, clarification, filtration, membrane systems and disinfection.
Certified Wastewater Operator license (Class I–IV, or equivalent state/county certification) or ability to obtain within specified time frame.
SCADA/HMI operation and alarms response; ability to interpret trending data and modify controls.
Laboratory testing and QA/QC: BOD, TSS, pH, alkalinity, chlorine residual, coliform, ammonia and nutrient analyses.
NPDES permit compliance and Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMR) preparation and submission.
Instrument calibration and maintenance: DO probes, pH meters, turbidimeters and flow meters.
Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting: pumps, motors, valves, gearboxes, VFDs and control panels.
Confined space entry procedures, lockout-tagout (LOTO) and safety systems compliance.
CMMS experience for work order management, preventive maintenance scheduling and inventory tracking.
Chemical feed systems operation and metering pump calibration.
Sludge handling and dewatering systems operation (centrifuge, belt press, drying beds).
Basic welding, plumbing and carpentry skills for routine plant repairs.
Field sampling techniques and chain-of-custody procedures.
Emergency response and spill containment procedures.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), and familiarity with GIS and environmental reporting systems.

Soft Skills

Strong observational skills and attention to detail for monitoring process and lab results.
Problem-solving and analytical mindset to diagnose root causes and implement corrective actions.
Clear verbal and written communication for reporting, shift handovers and regulator interactions.
Teamwork and collaboration across maintenance, laboratory, engineering and management teams.
Reliability and adaptability to rotating shifts, on-call duties and emergency response.
Time management and prioritization skills under pressure and during simultaneous incidents.
Commitment to safety culture and ability to enforce safety standards with peers and contractors.
Continuous learning orientation and willingness to pursue certifications and technical training.
Customer service orientation for interactions with the public, vendors and regulatory agencies.
Leadership potential to mentor junior operators and lead shift activities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:
Associate degree in Environmental Science, Water Resources, Wastewater Technology, Environmental Engineering Technology, or related technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science / Technology
Water/Wastewater Treatment Technology
Civil or Environmental Engineering Technology
Chemistry or Microbiology (laboratory-focused roles)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
1–7 years of wastewater operations experience (entry-level apprenticeship to experienced operator).

Preferred:
3+ years operating municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plants with demonstrated experience in process control, laboratory testing and preventive maintenance. Preference for candidates with state operator licensure Class II or higher, SCADA experience, and documented safety training (Confined Space, HAZWOPER, CPR).