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Drinking Water Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Drinking Water Process Engineer in California to support treatment, reuse, and advanced purification projects for clients across local and national markets. In this role ...

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Drinking Water Project Manager to lead and deliver complex water infrastructure projects that support safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water ...

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Drinking Water Process Engineer in California to support treatment, reuse, and advanced purification projects for clients across local and national markets. In this role ...

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Drinking Water Project Manager to lead and deliver complex water infrastructure projects that support safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water ...

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Drinking Water Process Engineer in California to support treatment, reuse, and advanced purification projects for clients across local and national markets. In this role ...

Project Manager Drinking Water Project Manager - Drinking Water (Also seeking Senior Project Manager and Principal level candidates ) Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Project Manager ...

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Drinking Water and Wastewater Engineer

Anchorage, AK · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly ...

From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly ...

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Drinking Water information

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$5

$13

$22

How much do drinking water jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for drinking water in the United States is $13.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.62 and $15.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are drinking water operators?

Drinking water operators are professionals responsible for managing, monitoring, and maintaining water treatment facilities to ensure the safe and reliable supply of potable water to the public. Their duties include testing water quality, operating treatment equipment, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards. They may also respond to emergencies, perform routine maintenance, and keep detailed records of plant operations. Drinking water operators play a vital role in protecting public health by ensuring that water is clean and safe to drink.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator, you need knowledge of water treatment processes, regulatory compliance, and a high school diploma or equivalent—often supplemented by specialized training or certification. Familiarity with SCADA systems, laboratory testing equipment, and state operator certification exams is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills enable operators to address issues quickly and work effectively in teams. These competencies ensure the safe delivery of potable water and compliance with public health regulations.

What is the difference between Drinking Water vs Water Treatment Plant Operator?

AspectDrinking WaterWater Treatment Plant Operator
CertificationsWater Distribution Operator Certification, EPA certificationsWater Treatment Certification, EPA certifications
Work EnvironmentMunicipal water systems, treatment facilitiesWater treatment plants, industrial facilities
Employer & IndustryPublic water utilities, municipalitiesPublic utilities, industrial sectors

Drinking Water professionals focus on ensuring safe, clean drinking water for the public, often working within municipal systems. Water Treatment Plant Operators manage the operation and maintenance of water treatment facilities, which may include broader industrial processes. While both roles require similar certifications and work environments, Drinking Water specialists primarily serve public water systems, whereas Water Treatment Plant Operators may work in various industrial settings.

What are some common challenges faced by drinking water treatment plant operators, and how can they be addressed?

Drinking water treatment plant operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining water quality standards, responding to equipment malfunctions, and adapting to changing regulations. To address these, operators regularly monitor water samples, perform preventive maintenance, and participate in ongoing training. Collaboration with engineers, laboratory technicians, and regulatory agencies is also essential to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations. Staying updated on industry best practices and technological advancements further helps operators meet these challenges effectively.
More about Drinking Water jobs
What cities are hiring for Drinking Water jobs? Cities with the most Drinking Water job openings:
What states have the most Drinking Water jobs? States with the most job openings for Drinking Water jobs include:

Drinking Water Process Engineer

kennedyjc

Pasadena, CA • Hybrid

$115K - $210K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Drinking Water Process Engineer in California to support treatment, reuse, and advanced purification projects for clients across local and national markets.

In this role, you will apply technical knowledge to complex water challenges, support project delivery, and collaborate with experienced engineers and multidisciplinary teams.

You’ll help evaluate treatment approaches, prepare technical deliverables, support facility planning, and advance sustainable water solutions for Kennedy Jenks clients.

What You’ll Do

As a Drinking Water Process Engineer, you’ll support technical analysis, project delivery, client coordination, and process improvement.

  • Evaluate treatment approaches: Assess municipal drinking water treatment, water reuse, and advanced purification processes, including evaluation, selection, engineering studies, and operations optimization.
  • Support pursuits and delivery: Partner with project teams and client service managers during pursuits, interviews, technical discussions, and project execution, including contributions to treatment process innovations, technical approaches, and scope development.
  • Advance planning, studies, and research: Contribute to feasibility studies, facility planning, pilot testing, and related technical evaluations, and collaborate with the Applied Research Group on water quality and treatment research.
  • Support municipal and industrial treatment work: Collaborate with municipal and private sector water treatment staff on projects related to water quality, industrial water treatment, and treatment process improvement.
  • Prepare technical deliverables: Develop basis of design reports, preliminary and detailed engineering drawings, specifications, process flow diagrams, and process instrumentation diagrams.
  • Improve facility performance: Identify opportunities to enhance treatment operations, efficiency, and reliability at existing facilities.
  • Collaborate and mentor: Work with senior engineers on technical solutions and provide guidance to less experienced staff.
What Makes This Role Different
  • Meaningful impact: Contribute to projects that help communities deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable water solutions.
  • Varied experience: Work on local and national projects that expose you to a range of treatment challenges, client needs, and technical solutions.
  • Opportunities to grow: Build your technical depth, take on increasing responsibility, and collaborate with experienced engineers who support your development.
What You Bring
  • Relevant experience: Background in drinking water treatment engineering, including process design, system optimization, or operational evaluation.
  • Functional expertise: Knowledge of municipal treatment, reuse, advanced purification, process evaluation, and engineering studies.
  • Stakeholder communication: Ability to communicate clearly with clients, project managers, client service managers, and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Industry engagement: Active participation in water-focused professional organizations, with the ability to submit abstracts and confidently present technical material at regional and national conferences.
  • Analytical thinking and problem-solving: Ability to evaluate alternatives and develop practical engineering recommendations.
  • Technical documentation: Experience preparing basis of design reports, engineering drawings, specifications, process flow diagrams, and process instrumentation diagrams.
  • Writing and collaboration: Strong writing, analytical thinking, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Work style: Collaborative, curious, and growth-oriented, with a willingness to mentor others.
Qualifications
  • Education: BS or MS in Civil, Environmental, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Experience: 5+ years of experience in drinking water treatment engineering.
  • Certifications or licenses: Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) license in California; PE preferred or ability to obtain.

Kennedy Jenks supports a healthy work-life balance and utilizes a hybrid model of home and office work, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. This approach empowers our people to thrive, collaborate, and do their best work.

Salary range for this position is expected to be between $115,000 and $210,000, and may vary based upon education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications, and geographic location.

Benefits summary: Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; a health savings account; a 401(k); bonus programs; tuition reimbursement; employee ownership opportunity; professional registration support; business travel assistance; competitive paid time off and holidays; an employee assistance program; and additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth.

#LI-Hybrid