1

Sewage Diver Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sewage Diver information

See salary details

$11

$23

$44

How much do sewage diver jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for sewage diver in the United States is $23.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sewage diver?

Sewage divers are specialized professionals who perform underwater inspections, repairs, and maintenance in sewage treatment plants, waste water systems, and other contaminated environments. They wear protective diving suits and equipment to shield themselves from hazardous substances while working in sewage tanks, pipes, and reservoirs. Their tasks can include clearing blockages, inspecting infrastructure, repairing leaks, and ensuring the proper functioning of waste water systems. This work is essential for maintaining public sanitation and preventing environmental contamination. Due to the hazardous nature of their job, sewage divers receive extensive safety training and use specialized gear to minimize health risks.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a sewage diver?

To thrive as a Sewage Diver, you need commercial diving certification, strong swimming ability, and knowledge of safety protocols related to hazardous environments. Familiarity with specialized diving equipment, underwater communication systems, and protective gear is essential for safe operations. Attention to detail, resilience, and strong problem-solving skills help divers perform inspections and repairs in challenging, often unpleasant conditions. These skills and qualifications are critical for ensuring both personal safety and the effective maintenance of essential wastewater infrastructure.

What challenges do sewage divers face and how is safety managed?

Sewage divers often work in hazardous and confined environments, dealing with poor visibility, toxic gases, and potential biological hazards. Teams mitigate these challenges by following strict safety protocols, including the use of specialized diving suits, continuous air monitoring, and rigorous communication systems. Regular training and adherence to industry standards are essential, and divers usually work closely with topside support teams to ensure quick response in case of emergencies. This collaborative approach helps maintain safety and efficiency during complex underwater maintenance or inspection tasks.

What is the difference between Sewage Diver vs Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator?

AspectSewage DiverWastewater Treatment Plant Operator
CredentialsOpen water diving certification, confined space trainingOperator certification, state licensing
Work EnvironmentUnderwater sewage systems, confined spacesTreatment facilities, plant control rooms
Industry UsageMaintenance of underwater sewer infrastructureManaging and operating wastewater treatment processes

While both roles involve working with wastewater systems, Sewage Divers focus on underwater inspections and repairs of sewer infrastructure, requiring specialized diving certifications. Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators oversee the treatment process at facilities, requiring licensing and plant operation skills. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the wastewater industry.

More about Sewage Diver jobs

What cities are hiring for Sewage Diver jobs?

Cities with the most Sewage Diver job openings:

What states have the most Sewage Diver jobs?

States with the most job openings for Sewage Diver jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Sewage Diver jobs?

For Sewage Diver jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Sewage Diver job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,577 per year, or $23.8 per hour.

Reserve Harbor Patrol Officer / Patrol Crew

Morro Bay, CA โ€ข On-site

City of Morro Bay
Public Administrationย โ€ขย 201 - 500 employees

$21.58 - $36.26/hr

Part-time

This job post hasย expired 2 days ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

$21.58 - $36.26 Hourly

This is a part-time hourly position, with 40 hours of sick leave per year and PARS retirement.

We're on the lookout for Reserve Harbor Patrol Officers / Patrol Crew to join our team! If you love the Morro Bay Harbor and want to serve Harbor users, this job is for you!

As a Reserve Harbor Patrol Officer, you'll be responsible for everything from boater assistance and emergency response to maintaining our waterfront facilities and boats. You'll also be a key source of information and assistance to the general public, so strong communication skills are a must!

If you're up for the challenge, here's what we're looking for:

  • A team player who's willing to work under general supervision
  • A surfer, scuba diver, or paddler that loves to be in the water
  • Someone who has a passion for boating and being on the water
  • Someone who's comfortable working a flexible schedule that may include 10-80 hours per month, 10-hour shifts, and weekends/holidays
  • A person who's passionate about serving their community and keeping our harbor safe

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As a Harbor Patrol Officer or Harbor Crew member, you will perform a wide variety of public services, including patrolling the Morro Bay harbor and waterways, beaches, and parking areas; enforcing local and state laws regulating boating operations, public safety, boater assistance, emergency response including medical aid and firefighting, maintenance of City waterfront facilities and boats, marine wildlife assistance, information and assistance to the general public and related work as required. This job is enhanced by the collaboration with other agencies, including the Coast Guard, Police, Fire, State Parks, and Fish and Wildlife. The experience you draw from this ever-changing environment is vast and filled with a sense of being a part of the waterfront community. Every day is different at this job. You must be self-motivated to work independently but at the same
time, a dedicated team player.

THE HARBOR TEAM

We are an energetic, close-knit team that together meets the ever-changing challenges of the Harbor and waterfront activities. The Department consists of a Harbor Director, a Harbor Business Coordinator, a Harbor Patrol Supervisor, 4 Harbor Patrol Officers plus Reserve Officers, a part-time office assistant, and Beach Lifeguards.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Forget monotony when you join the tight-knit Morro Bay Harbor Patrol team. You may start our morning by welcoming a sailboat to the Morro Bay Harbor and assisting them with slip or mooring rental. After an hour of physical training (swimming, paddling, running, etc.), you get a call for an overturned kayaker. Once the kayaker is brought to safety, you assist the Marine Mammal Center in capturing a sick sea lion on the beach. Later that day you are called by a fishing boat with engine trouble a couple miles outside the Harbor. You and your partner tow the boat back to the harbor averting the potential for injury or property damage. Patrol hours are approximately sunrise to sunset, so you head home to dinner with your family and friends, where you talk about how you and your fellow Harbor Patrol Officers made Morro Bay a safer place.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE:

RESERVE HARBOR PATROL CREW                            PAY RANGE: $21.58 - $24.99

Job Description     

RESERVE HARBOR PATROL BOAT OPERATOR        PAY RANGE: $26.25 - $28.97

Job Description

RESERVE HARBOR PATROL OFFICER                       PAY RANGE: $34.51 - $36.26

Job Description

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

PLEASE SEE EACH JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF REQUIREMENTS PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:  Active physical work without prolonged heavy exertion, but with continuous exposure to unpleasant elements such as dust, mud, fumes, odors, dampness, raw or treated sewage, noise levels, or outside weather conditions.  On feet most of the time involving bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces; frequent lifting of objects up to 25 lbs., with occasional lifting of objects weighing over 50 lbs.  Must be able to communicate information to other workers via radio.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Individuals can apply through the City website at https://www.morrobayca.gov/832/Employment-Opportunities

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until September 8th by 5:00pm

SELECTION PROCESS:

All applications received will be reviewed for completeness and job-related qualifications. Those candidates possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process which includes:

We will have a testing date for those who qualify: September 9, 2026.

Swimming, Boating, Written test and Oral Interviews

Swim requirement: 500 yards in 10 minutes or less in the bay.  Goggles are permitted, no fins allowed, wetsuit is recommended. 

Contact Harbor Patrol Supervisor Becka Kelly at bkelly@morrobayca.gov (805) 772-6254 for any questions about the testing procedures or to schedule a ride-a-long..

The successful candidate must pass the City's background check

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the City's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity for all persons seeking employment or promotion to assure equal employment opportunity based upon ability and fitness to all persons regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, childbirth, breast-feeding, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics or information, military or veteran's status, and/or any other category protected by federal and/or state law.