Pathway: Engineering Technology
Job: Water Treatment Plant & System Operator
Job Description
Water treatment plant and system operators treat water so that it is safe to drink. Their specific duties are dependent on the type and size of the plant.
Necessary Education
High School Diploma
Helpful High School Courses
Basic Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Applications
Working Conditions
- Work both indoors and outdoors
- May be exposed to noise from machinery and unpleasant odors
- Work is physically demanding
- Often in unclean locations
- May work under extreme pressure at times, to correct problems as quickly as possible
- May be in dangerous working conditions and must be extremely cautious, using special safety equipment and procedures
- Work one of three 8-hour shifts, including weekends and holidays, on a rotational basis; may need to work overtime
Salary Range
- 2003, Delaware average annual salary,
$36,740
- 2003, Delaware average hourly wage,
$17.66
Career Ladder Information
- Applicants may be required to pass a written examination testing mathematics skills, mechanical aptitude, and general intelligence
- Completion of an Associate's Degree or a 1-year certificate program in water quality increases an applicant's chance for employment and promotion because plants are becoming more complex
- Trainees usually start as attendants or operators-in-training and learn their skills on the job under the direction of an experienced operator
- Operators must be familiar with the water safety guidelines established by Federal, State, and local regulations and how they affect their plant
- Some operators become responsible for more complex treatment processes, and are promoted to plant supervisor, superintendent, or transfer to a larger facility
Personal Qualities and Interests
You are:
- Have mechanical aptitudes and the ability to apply data to formulas
- Are familiar with computers
- Are able to work under stress
- Are able to evaluate and correct problems quickly
Did you know?
- Increasing familiarity with computers is important, because of the trend towards computer-controlled equipment and more sophisticated instrumentation.
Additional Information
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