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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Water Assistant

💰 $35,000 - $65,000

Water TreatmentEnvironmental ServicesUtilitiesLaboratory

🎯 Role Definition

The Water Assistant supports day-to-day water treatment, distribution and laboratory operations to ensure safe, reliable drinking water and regulatory compliance. This position performs field sampling, basic laboratory analysis, routine plant and distribution system operations, preventive maintenance, and clear documentation. The Water Assistant works closely with licensed operators, environmental specialists and maintenance teams to troubleshoot process upsets, maintain assets, and contribute to continuous improvement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Environmental Technician / Field Technician
  • Laboratory Technician (water or environmental)
  • Utility Customer Service or Maintenance Aid

Advancement To:

  • Water Treatment Operator I / II
  • Water Quality Analyst / Laboratory Technologist
  • Distribution System Operator or Plant Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Wastewater Technician
  • Environmental Compliance Specialist
  • Asset Management or GIS Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Collect and document potable and non-potable water samples from treatment plants, storage tanks and distribution points in strict accordance with EPA, state and local sampling protocols, including proper chain-of-custody, labeling, preservation and timely delivery to certified laboratories.
  • Perform routine laboratory analyses such as chlorine residual testing, turbidity, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness and bacteriological sample preparation using Hach equipment and standard methods; record results accurately and flag out-of-spec readings.
  • Assist licensed operators with routine operation of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection processes; adjust chemical feed rates, backwash filters and monitor process performance under supervision.
  • Operate, monitor and respond to SCADA alarms and trending dashboards for pumps, tanks, chemical systems and distribution pressure zones; escalate abnormal conditions to senior operators and log corrective actions.
  • Conduct daily and weekly rounds of treatment plant and pump stations to inspect equipment, pipelines, valves and instrumentation; document leaks, wear, or malfunctions and coordinate repairs with maintenance staff.
  • Maintain and update plant logs, sample sheets, digital records and regulatory reporting forms in compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements and agency recordkeeping standards.
  • Perform preventative maintenance tasks including lubrication, filter replacement, valve exercising, minor mechanical adjustments, and calibration of meters and analytical instruments per maintenance schedules.
  • Support system flushing, pipeline repair assistance and emergency response activities for distribution system events; assist with hydrant inspections, valve operations and temporary bypasses as directed.
  • Prepare and apply chlorine and other treatment chemicals safely, following dosing calculations, MSDS guidance and facility SOPs; monitor inventory and request resupply to maintain uninterrupted treatment operations.
  • Collect and maintain GIS/location data and condition assessments for assets in the distribution system; assist in tagging, mapping and inventorying hydrants, valves, meters and sample points.
  • Perform basic bacteriological sample collection and transport procedures, ensuring containers, holding times and temperature controls meet regulatory criteria.
  • Assist in cross-connection/backflow prevention inspections and support customer inquiries related to water quality, pressure and scheduled maintenance.
  • Execute confined space entry support under direct supervision, including air monitoring, use of entry equipment and adherence to lockout/tagout and rescue plans when required.
  • Follow health and safety protocols including PPE use, hazard communication, chemical spill response and routine participation in safety briefings and drills.
  • Aid in laboratory housekeeping, reagent preparation, instrument maintenance and QC checks; maintain calibration logs and document corrective actions for out-of-tolerance instruments.
  • Support meter reading, customer service callbacks and field investigations for low pressure, discolored water or reported service interruptions; document findings for follow-up by distribution staff.
  • Participate in environmental sampling programs for source water monitoring, watershed protection tasks and compliance sampling under direction of the water quality team.
  • Assist with data entry, spreadsheet preparation and generation of routine regulatory reports (monthly/quarterly) for management review and regulatory submission.
  • Contribute to process optimization projects by collecting baseline data, assisting in pilot tests and documenting operational improvements recommended by engineers or senior operators.
  • Help implement asset management tasks such as tagging, lifecycle tracking, and prioritizing maintenance work orders within a CMMS (computerized maintenance management system).
  • Provide on-call support rotation as required for after-hours alarms and emergency response, with prompt travel to site and initial troubleshooting as trained.
  • Participate in continuing education and training programs to progress toward operator certification and to stay current on regulatory and technological changes.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis to help the operations and compliance teams interpret water quality trends.
  • Assist with public education events, water quality outreach and coordination with community stakeholders and local health departments.
  • Contribute to the organization's water safety plan and emergency response planning by documenting observations and participating in tabletop exercises.
  • Help maintain vendor and supply records, assist with procurement of lab reagents and operational chemicals, and verify deliveries against purchase orders.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Water sampling and chain-of-custody protocols (EPA, state-specific procedures)
  • Basic laboratory analysis: chlorine, turbidity, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, coliform testing
  • Familiarity with Hach, LaMotte or similar water quality instrumentation and reagent handling
  • SCADA monitoring and basic alarm response procedures
  • Chemical feed systems: chlorine, coagulants, polymer dosing and safe handling
  • Preventive maintenance and basic mechanical troubleshooting on pumps, valves and filters
  • CMMS experience (e.g., Cityworks, Maximo) for work order and asset tracking
  • GIS data collection and asset mapping for distribution systems
  • Confined space entry procedures, lockout/tagout and basic rescue awareness
  • Regulatory compliance knowledge: Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), state drinking water rules, and reporting requirements
  • Basic PLC and instrumentation understanding (sensors, flow meters, level transmitters)
  • Microsoft Office proficiency (Excel for data logs and reporting) and basic laboratory information management
  • Bacteriological sampling methods and cold-chain handling for microbiological analyses

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and documentation
  • Clear verbal and written communication for field reports and regulatory submissions
  • Team-oriented attitude with ability to collaborate across operations, maintenance and lab teams
  • Problem solving and analytical thinking for troubleshooting process upsets
  • Customer service orientation when interacting with the public about water quality concerns
  • Time management and ability to prioritize routine tasks and emergency responses
  • Adaptability to shift work, on-call rotations and field conditions (outdoors, varied weather)
  • Initiative to learn, pursue operator certifications and follow technical SOPs
  • Safety-first mindset and the ability to follow and enforce safe work practices

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; strong coursework in science, math or technical subjects preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Water/Wastewater Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, or a related technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Water/Wastewater Technology
  • Chemistry
  • Civil or Environmental Engineering Technology
  • Biology / Microbiology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years entry level; 1–5 years preferred for intermediate roles.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of experience in water treatment, distribution, field sampling, or environmental laboratory work.
  • Experience working under a licensed operator or in a municipal/utility water environment.

Certifications and Licenses (preferred/required):

  • State or regional operator certification trainee status, D1/D2 or Grade 1–2 water operator (where applicable)
  • Driver’s license with a clean driving record; CDL preferred in some utilities
  • Confined Space Entry, CPR/First Aid, HAZWOPER 8/24/40 (as applicable)
  • Backflow prevention tester or cross-connection awareness training (preferred)
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