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Cooling Tower Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Rosso Recruiting

Water Plant Manager

East Chicago, IN · On-site

Experience operating and maintaining filtration,cooling tower, condensate, feedwater, and chemical treatment systems * Familiarity with on-line analyzer calibration: pH,conductivity, hardness ...

Rosso Recruiting

Water Plant Manager

East Chicago, IN

$115K - $122K/yr

Experience operating and maintaining filtration, cooling tower, condensate, feedwater, and chemical treatment systems * Familiarity with on-line analyzer calibration: pH, conductivity, hardness ...

Celanese Corporation

Utilities Operator

Chester, VA · On-site

Celanese is seeking a Utilities Operator to join its Mylar Specialty Films joint venture in Chester ... Adjusts cooling tower pumps, valves, fans and automatic controls. * Pumps water into water mains.

Celanese Corporation

Utility Operator

Chester, VA · On-site

Celanese is seeking a Utility Operator to join its team in Hopewell, Virginia. The individual in ... Adjusts cooling tower pumps, valves, fans and automatic controls. * Pumps water into water mains.

Celanese

Utility Operator

Chester, VA · On-site

Celanese is seeking a Utility Operator to join its team in Hopewell, Virginia. The individual in ... Adjusts cooling tower pumps, valves, fans and automatic controls. * Pumps water into water mains.

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

$39.03/hr

... and adiabatic cooling tower. Provide support to piping service, but not limited to piping ... State of Maine boiler operator's license (Grade C). * 4th Class, Grade B license. Preferred: * 3rd ...

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

$39.03/hr

... and adiabatic cooling tower. Provide support to piping service, but not limited to piping ... State of Maine boiler operator's license (Grade C). * 4th Class, Grade B license. Preferred: * 3rd ...

St. Joseph's/Candler

Plant Operator

Savannah, GA · On-site

$25.49/hr

Experience * 2-3 Years Maintenance - Required * working as or under the chief plant operator ... Maintain powerhouse, cooling tower, chemical yards, mechanical equipment, and documentation. * Work ...

St. Joseph's/Candler

Plant Operator

Savannah, GA

$25.49/hr

Experience * 2-3 Years Maintenance - Required * working as or under the chief plant operator ... Maintain powerhouse, cooling tower, chemical yards, mechanical equipment, and documentation. * Work ...

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Cooling Tower Operator information

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How much do cooling tower operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooling tower operator in the United States is $21.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cooling tower operator?

Cooling Tower Operators are professionals responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining cooling tower systems, which are used to dissipate heat from industrial processes or HVAC systems. Their duties typically include inspecting equipment, managing water treatment processes, recording operational data, and ensuring the system runs efficiently and safely. They also perform routine maintenance and troubleshoot any issues that arise to prevent breakdowns. Cooling Tower Operators play a crucial role in keeping industrial facilities and large buildings cool and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

What does a cooling tower operator do?

As a Cooling Tower Operator, your daily responsibilities typically include monitoring water levels and chemical concentrations, inspecting equipment for signs of wear or malfunction, and recording operational data to ensure optimal performance. You are also tasked with performing routine maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machinery, and promptly addressing any issues to prevent downtime. By maintaining efficient cooling tower operations, you play a crucial role in supporting the plant's overall productivity and preventing costly equipment failures. Collaboration with maintenance technicians and plant engineers is common, especially when troubleshooting or implementing improvements.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a cooling tower operator?

To thrive as a Cooling Tower Operator, you need a solid understanding of mechanical systems, water chemistry, and preventive maintenance procedures, often supported by a high school diploma or technical training. Familiarity with monitoring and control systems, water treatment equipment, and safety protocols is critical, and certifications like OSHA or HVAC-related credentials are often beneficial. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of cooling towers, minimizing downtime and supporting facility performance.

What are popular job titles related to Cooling Tower Operator jobs?

For Cooling Tower Operator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Cooling Tower Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, 58% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,428 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Water Plant Manager

East Chicago, IN • On-site

Rosso Recruiting
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Rosso Recruitingexternal

Other

Retirement

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

East Chicago, United States | Posted on 08/24/2026

Industrial Energy Facility — Full-time Leadership Role

Position Snapshot

Employment Type: Full-time

Location:East Chicago IN

Reports To: GeneralManager

Compensation: Competitivebase salary plus bonus potential

Experience: 3–5 years inpower industry, water plant/filtration, or related industrial environment

  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Career growth opportunities in an establishedindustrial energy environment
  • And more
About the Role

This is a hands-on technicalleadership role with real ownership — you're accountable for water quality,water plant production, and the chemical systems that keep an active industrialenergy facility running. If you've spent time in power generation, watertreatment, or industrial plant operations and want a role where your expertisedirectly impacts critical plant performance, this is it.

You'll manage the full watertreatment picture: filtration, cooling tower, condensate and feedwater systems,on-line analyzer calibration, chemical storage and feed equipment, and waterquality sampling and reporting across multiple systems — boiler, closed loop,and cooling tower. It's technically demanding, no two days are exactly thesame, and the work you do keeps electricity and steam generation runningreliably in a steel production environment.

The role comes with acompetitive salary, bonus potential, a full benefits package, and room to growwithin a specialized and stable corner of the energy industry. If you'reself-motivated, comfortable being on-call, and take satisfaction in keepingcomplex systems in spec — this is a role built for someone like you.

Responsibilities

Water Quality & ChemicalManagement

  • Maintain water quality specifications suitable forcombined coke and energy plant operations generating electricity and steam
  • Perform water sampling; test, analyze, report, monitor,adjust, and maintain chemical levels across all plant water systems — boiler,closed loop, cooling tower, and others
  • Maintain, monitor, and inspect chemical storage,chemical feed, and control equipment for all on-site chemicals
  • Maintain all on-line analyzers and perform calibrationsas needed — pH, conductivity, hardness, chlorine, silica, and sodium
  • Practice safe chemical handling, instrumentinstallation and repair, and lockout/tagout procedures for all preventivemaintenance and repairs
  • Maintain water plant production for make-up water tothe boiler system
  • Operate and maintain water treatment systems includingwater filtration, cooling tower, condensate, and feedwater systems andassociated equipment
  • Conduct root cause analysis on system issues,troubleshoot, and respond with appropriate corrective action
  • Stay on-call and available to respond to plant needs asrequired

Compliance & Coordination

  • Maintain close contact with chemical suppliers toensure plant systems run efficiently and effectively
  • Maintain awareness of environmental and safetyregulations and compliance programs relevant to water treatment operations
  • Coordinate with plant leadership and cross-functionalteams to plan and execute varied and complex operational tasks
  • Support additional facility locations as needed
Requirements

Experience & Education

  • 3–5 years of experience in the power industry, waterplant/water filtration operations, or a related industrial environment
  • Associate degree in water treatment — with courseworkin math, physical science, water filtration, and chemistry — preferred
  • Solid fundamental understanding of plant processes andequipment
  • Experience with environmental and safety regulationsand compliance programs
  • Valid driver's license required

Technical Skills

  • Ability to conduct root cause analysis, troubleshootcomplex water system issues, and respond accordingly
  • Experience operating and maintaining filtration,cooling tower, condensate, feedwater, and chemical treatment systems
  • Familiarity with on-line analyzer calibration: pH,conductivity, hardness, chlorine, silica, and sodium
  • Comfortable handling chemicals safely and followinglockout/tagout and PPE protocols

Leadership & Work Style

  • Able to plan, coordinate, and direct complex programsand tasks independently, with the drive to see things through to completion
  • Strong listener — able to process multiple viewpointsin group discussion and work effectively in a team environment
  • Proactive problem-solver focused on finding solutionsand identifying opportunities to improve plant efficiency
  • Builds supporting, collaborative relationships acrossteams and with external partners
This Job Is
  • A strong fit for water treatment or industrial plantprofessionals with 3–5 years of hands-on experience who want technicalownership and a leadership role
  • Ideal for self-motivated candidates who take pride inkeeping critical systems running at spec and aren't afraid to be on-call whenit matters
  • A great match for someone looking to grow their careerin industrial energy — a technically specialized, stable, and in-demand field
  • Open to candidates with an Associate degree in watertreatment or equivalent hands-on experience in lieu of formal credentials
Requirements

Experience & Education

  • 3–5 years of experience in the power industry, waterplant/water filtration operations, or a related industrial environment
  • Associate degree in water treatment — with courseworkin math, physical science, water filtration, and chemistry — preferred
  • Solid fundamental understanding of plant processes andequipment
  • Experience with environmental and safety regulationsand compliance programs
  • Valid driver's license required

Technical Skills

  • Ability to conduct root cause analysis, troubleshootcomplex water system issues, and respond accordingly
  • Experience operating and maintaining filtration,cooling tower, condensate, feedwater, and chemical treatment systems
  • Familiarity with on-line analyzer calibration: pH,conductivity, hardness, chlorine, silica, and sodium
  • Comfortable handling chemicals safely and followinglockout/tagout and PPE protocols

Leadership & Work Style

  • Able to plan, coordinate, and direct complex programsand tasks independently, with the drive to see things through to completion
  • Strong listener — able to process multiple viewpointsin group discussion and work effectively in a team environment
  • Proactive problem-solver focused on finding solutionsand identifying opportunities to improve plant efficiency
  • Builds supporting, collaborative relationships acrossteams and with external partners
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Career growth opportunities in an establishedindustrial energy environment
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