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System Operator Trainee Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Riviera Utilities

FIELD OPERATOR TRAINEE

Foley, AL · On-site

$42K - $56K/yr

... systems and Grade I Water Distribution Certifications after one-year experience as a Trainee ... Field Operator Trainee $42,973 - $56,724 Pay Grade 101 To perform this job successfully, an ...

Swift Lumber

Sawmill Relief Machine Operator

Atmore, AL · On-site

$18/hr

The sawmill machine operator trainee will learn the skills to control automated equipment in the ... Ensure the correct flow of wood, correct orientation of optimization systems, and optimal cutting ...

Hydromax USA

Technician Trainee - Water

Birmingham, AL

$19 - $22/hr

... performance system. * Properly use PPE and follow work zone safety protocols on a daily basis ... Perform repairs on fire hydrants and water main valve operating nuts. * Maintain open and effective ...

Westrock

Forming Operator C

Eutaw, AL · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

The trainee will be familiarized with all mechanical functions of all cutting, printing, and gluing ... Learn to navigate and trouble shoot the glue systems. * Marginal: * May be required to empty trash ...

Westrock

Forming Operator C

Eutaw, AL · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

The trainee will be familiarized with all mechanical functions of all cutting, printing, and gluing ... Learn to navigate and trouble shoot the glue systems. * Marginal: * May be required to empty trash ...

Smurfit Westrock

Forming Operator C

Eutaw, AL · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

The trainee will be familiarized with all mechanical functions of all cutting, printing, and gluing ... Learn to navigate and trouble shoot the glue systems. * Marginal: * May be required to empty trash ...

Smurfit Westrock

Forming Operator C

Eutaw, AL · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

The trainee will be familiarized with all mechanical functions of all cutting, printing, and gluing ... Learn to navigate and trouble shoot the glue systems. * Marginal: * May be required to empty trash ...

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All JobsSystem Operator JobsSystem Operator Trainee JobsSystem Operator Trainee Jobs in Alabama

System Operator Trainee information

What is a system operator trainee?

System operator trainees are entry-level professionals who are undergoing training to manage and monitor the operations of systems such as electrical power grids, water treatment plants, or other critical infrastructure. They work under the supervision of experienced operators, learning how to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of these systems. Their responsibilities typically include observing control panels, responding to alarms, recording data, and assisting with routine maintenance. The goal of the training is to prepare them for full operator roles by providing both hands-on experience and classroom instruction.

What are some common challenges faced by system operator trainees in their first year on the job?

As a System Operator Trainee, one of the main challenges is mastering complex monitoring systems and learning to respond quickly and accurately to real-time changes in the power grid. Trainees must also adapt to rotating shift schedules, which can impact work-life balance. Collaborating with experienced operators and staying updated on protocols is key, as the role involves both independent decision-making and close teamwork under pressure. Building confidence in handling emergency scenarios and communicating effectively with field crews are also essential skills developed during the first year.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a system operator trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Operator Trainee, you need a solid understanding of electrical systems, power grid fundamentals, and typically an associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology or a related field. Familiarity with SCADA systems, energy management software, and NERC certification is often required or preferred. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help trainees excel in high-pressure, team-oriented environments. These competencies are crucial for maintaining grid reliability, ensuring safety, and responding rapidly to system disturbances.

What is the difference between System Operator Trainee vs Power Plant Operator?

AspectSystem Operator TraineePower Plant Operator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical trainingHigh school diploma; technical training or certification
Work EnvironmentControl rooms, training facilitiesPower plant facilities, control rooms
Employer & Industry UsageUtilities, energy companies, training programsPower generation plants, energy sector
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference is that a System Operator Trainee is in a training phase, learning to monitor and control systems, while a Power Plant Operator is a fully qualified professional responsible for operating power plant equipment. The trainee role focuses on gaining experience, whereas the power plant operator role involves hands-on operational duties.

What does a system operator do?

A system operator monitors and controls industrial, electrical, or computer systems to ensure they run efficiently and safely. They troubleshoot issues, perform routine maintenance, and may use specialized software or equipment to manage system operations, often working in shifts or 24/7 environments.

What are popular job titles related to System Operator Trainee jobs in Alabama?

For System Operator Trainee jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching System Operator Trainee jobs in Alabama look for?

The top searched job categories for System Operator Trainee jobs in Alabama are:

System Operator Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various System Operator Trainee job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.

FIELD OPERATOR TRAINEE

Riviera Utilities

Foley, AL • On-site

$42K - $56K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

From: Brian Skelton - CEO/President
Date: August 19, 2026
Re: EXTERNAL JOB POSTING
Open Job Position
FIELD OPERATOR TRAINEE
Beginning Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Riviera Utilities will begin taking applications to fill a job vacancy for Field Operator Trainee. We are considering applicants with qualifications in the following range, salary commensurate with education and experience.

Education and Experience
High school diploma or an acceptable equivalent diploma (GED). Experience in construction or a related field is desirable, but not required.

Licenses or Certifications
Must prepare for and strive to achieve a Grade IC Wastewater Certification for collection systems and Grade I Water Distribution Certifications after one-year experience as a Trainee.

Employee must apply for an Apprentice Plumber Certification.

Employee must prepare and receive training in the following:
• Work Zone Traffic Control
• Competent Person Fall Protection amp; Rescue
• Confined Space Training and a 10-hour OSHA Training relating to the construction Industry with a focus on Personal Protective Equipment
• Fall Protection
• Job Site Hazards
• OSHA Inspection Procedures

Special Requirements
The selected applicant must obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 1 year after the date of hiring. If less than 18 years of age, applicant must have a valid Driver’s License and, within 1 year after turning 18 years of age, applicant must obtain a valid CDL.
Applications accepted for the open position through Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Interested individuals should go to our website at www.rivierautilities.com to review the Job Descriptions for this opening, click on the Application link, complete the application, and submit it by the deadline.

In Compliance with the Alabama Immigration Law, Riviera Utilities participates in the Federal E-Verify Identification Program.

Salary Range:
Field Operator Trainee $42,973 - $56,724 Pay Grade 101
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

FIELD OPERATOR TRAINEE

Department: Water/Wastewater
Pay Grade: 101
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Water/Wastewater Construction Crew Supervisor
Effective Date: 6/8/2023

JOB SUMMARY
This is an entry-level position responsible for assisting certified operators in the construction and maintenance of water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Position primarily works with water and wastewater lines in the public right of way and easements. This position reports to the Water/Wastewater Construction Crew Supervisor and receives daily direction from more experienced Field Operators or Crew Leaders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
• Assists in installation and repair of new pipes, valves, services, laterals, and other assets of the water distribution system and wastewater collection systems.
• Assists staff in preventative maintenance of meters, hydrants, valves, pressure cleaning, cleaning lift stations, mainline cleaning, in-house repair of utility holes, and other corrective maintenance duties.
• Cleans warehouse and job site (e.g., sweeping, putting up tools, equipment) and assists with inventory organization and equipment and tool organization.
• Completes painting tasks at facilities including pipes, structures, doors, and other surfaces.
• Assists with setting residential and commercial meters.
• Assists the sewer crew.
• Sets hydrant meters and documenting meter information, assists with water meter testing.
• Assists with customer-initiated trouble calls such as wastewater backups, water leaks, and water quality problems.
• Assists with installation of erosion control measures (e.g., hay bales, waddles, silt fence, grass seeding, and laying sod).
• Assists in hooking up generators and bypass pumps to the system.
• Assists staff with testing, chlorination, and sampling of new water and wastewater mains.
• Operates tractors, work trucks, heavy equipment and various other tools and machinery as trained, qualified, licensed and assigned.
• Maintains equipment and tools (e.g., backhoes, tapping equipment, and mud pumps) used in the construction and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.
• Assists with water distribution system flushing, pressure monitoring, and hydrant flow testing.
• Documents preventive maintenance activities, problems with equipment, and other information.
• Pulls and cleans equipment, such as pumps, check valves, and air relief valves.
• Operates valves and hydrants for maintenance and inspection.
• Climbs water tank to change light bulbs and check on equipment, perform general maintenance, move antennae, and help with inspections.
• Monitors pump station wet well levels and gravity collection systems during rain events and periodic pump station maintenance.
• Assists with traffic control measures.
Other Functions
• Assists water/wastewater plant operations as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
High school diploma or an acceptable equivalent diploma (GED). Experience in construction or a related field is desirable, but not required.

Licenses or Certifications
Must prepare for and strive to achieve a Grade IC Wastewater Certification for collection systems and Grade I Water Distribution Certifications after one-year experience as a Trainee.

Employee must apply for an Apprentice Plumber Certification.

Employee must prepare and receive training in the following:
• Work Zone Traffic Control
• Competent Person Fall Protection amp; Rescue
• Confined Space Training and a 10-hour OSHA Training relating to the construction Industry with a focus on Personal Protective Equipment
• Fall Protection
• Job Site Hazards
• OSHA Inspection Procedures
Special Requirements
The selected applicant must obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 1 year after the date of hiring. If less than 18 years of age, applicant must have a valid Driver’s License and, within 1 year after turning 18 years of age, applicant must obtain a valid CDL.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of the operation, purpose, and basic repair steps of mechanical equipment (backhoes, generators, bypass pumps).
• Knowledge of potable water distribution and wastewater collection assets.
• Knowledge of basic inventory processes.
• Knowledge of personal computing devices, the internet, and business/technical software (WORD, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to perform basic maintenance tasks such as painting, cleaning, and trimming shrubs.
• Ability to work in a confined space (tanks, wells, utility holes) under the direction of experienced and qualified staff.
• Ability to work around hazardous chemicals (caustic) and machinery in a safe manner.
• Ability to interact with and maintain relationships between co-workers in a professional manner.
• Ability to operate a service truck, all-terrain vehicles, and tractors as needed to maintain lines, get supplies, and respond to requests.
• Ability to use hand tools including shovels, wrenches, pry bars, hammers, probe rod, power tools (drills, cutoff saws, pneumatic tools) utility hole picks, and post hole digger.
• Ability to listen, understand, and act upon verbal or written instructions.
• Ability to work and maintain productivity in a solitary work environment or in a group setting.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and understand documents, tables, manuals, written procedures, and policies.
• Ability to complete basic math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages.
• Ability to commit time and resources to continuous learning and improvement.
• Ability to communicate orally with a cross functional group of coworkers. (English Language required).
• Ability to document work, material and daily maintenance procedures or work instructions through handwritten records and on the computer.
• Ability to work safely and within procedure constraints as stipulated within company policy; capable of being trained to safe working standards.
• Ability to demonstrate mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Ability to operate and repair small/light equipment, such as power tools.
• Ability to operate and repair medium equipment and machinery, such as vehicles or commercial mowers.
• Ability to operate construction equipment.
• Ability to have regular and predictable work attendance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is very heavy: exerting in excess of one hundred pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of fifty pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of twenty pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following required physical abilities:
• Balancing: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: sufficient to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Crawling: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Handling: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling: sufficient to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: sufficient to raise objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Pulling: sufficient to use upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Pushing: sufficient to use upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Reaching: sufficient to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Speaking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: sufficient to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Talking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Talking: sufficient to shout in order to be heard above ambient noise level.
• Walking: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment is inside and primarily outside in a variety of weather conditions without effective protection from weather. Work is performed in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Environments that will be encountered are:
• Wastewater including feces, urine, grease, oil, and sludge.
• Chlorine, lime, and other process chemicals. Diesel and gasoline fuels.
• Noxious odors are normal.
• Insects including roaches, midges, flies, worms, and ants.
• Enclosed spaces including utility holes, construction trenches, clear wells, and lift stations.
• Heights not to exceed two hundred feet.
E.O.E. Riviera Utilities does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or military service in employment or the provision of services.

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