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Water Plant Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Water Plant Operator Job Classification: Non-exempt, Full-Time Reporting Relationship: Water Plant Supervisor Work Location: Louisburg, KS Under the supervision of the Water Plant Supervisor, Water ...

KS · On-site

Water Plant Operator Job Classification: Non-exempt, Full-Time Reporting Relationship: Water Plant Supervisor Work Location: Louisburg, KS Under the supervision of the Water Plant Supervisor, Water ...

Water Plant Operator I

Salina, KS · On-site

$50K - $53K/yr

WATER PLANT OPERATOR I City of Salina, Kansas Utilities Department The Water Plant Operator I role at the City of Salina is a pivotal position within the Utilities Department. This exciting ...

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Water Plant Operator Location: Riverdale, North Dakota - Near Lake Sakakawea Salary: Negotiable, based on experience and certifications Employment Type: Full-Time Position Overview The City of ...

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Water Plant Operator Location: Riverdale, North Dakota - Near Lake Sakakawea Salary: Negotiable, based on experience and certifications Employment Type: Full-Time Position Overview The City of ...

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Description The City of Lake Forest is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Water Plant Operator to join our team at the Lake Forest Water Treatment Plant. Our operators play a critical role in ...

Water Plant Operator

Lilesville, NC · On-site

$34K - $59K/yr

Water Plant Operator Salary Grade 60 Hiring Range: $34,356 - $59,589 General Description of Duties To produce safe and clean water for Anson County. Employees in this classification perform ...

Water Plant Operator

Lilesville, NC · On-site

$34K - $59K/yr

Water Plant Operator Salary Grade 60 Hiring Range: $34,356 - $59,589 General Description of Duties To produce safe and clean water for Anson County. Employees in this classification perform ...

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Water Plant Operator information

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$29.5K

$58.9K

$98.5K

How much do water plant operator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for water plant operator in the United States is $58,885.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,000.00 and $67,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Water Plant Operator, you need a solid understanding of water treatment processes, safety regulations, and relevant environmental standards, often backed by a high school diploma and state-specific operator certification. Familiarity with SCADA systems, water quality testing instruments, and maintenance tools is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for monitoring systems and responding to issues. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of clean water to the community.

What are some common challenges faced by Water Plant Operators in maintaining regulatory compliance?

Water Plant Operators often face challenges in keeping up with evolving environmental regulations and ensuring all treatment processes consistently meet strict water quality standards. This involves regular monitoring, accurate record-keeping, and prompt adjustments to chemical dosages or equipment settings. Operators must also be prepared to troubleshoot unexpected equipment malfunctions or respond to weather-related changes that affect water quality. Staying current with training and technological advancements is essential to successfully manage these compliance responsibilities.

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

AspectWater Plant OperatorWater Treatment Technician
CertificationsWater operator license, state certificationWater treatment certification, state license
Work EnvironmentWater treatment plants, distribution systemsWater treatment facilities, field sites
Job FocusOperating and maintaining water treatment equipmentMonitoring, testing, and troubleshooting treatment processes

Both roles involve working in water treatment facilities and require similar certifications. Water Plant Operators typically oversee the entire treatment process and plant operations, while Water Treatment Technicians focus more on testing, monitoring, and troubleshooting equipment. Both positions are essential for ensuring safe, clean water and often share similar work environments and industry usage.

What Does a Water Plant Operator Do?

The job duties of a water plant operator include working to operate and maintain a water plant. Your responsibilities in this job revolve around monitoring pumping equipment and ensuring proper water treatment. You may need to repair or facilitate the repair of equipment to keep water supply flowing. You usually collect sample data and test the water to ensure quality and safety. You are often responsible for ensuring the proper flow of water through filtering equipment, and you may clean filters and fill treatment chemicals as needed. Most plant operators need to keep a log of their activities on a daily basis.

What are Water Plant Operators?

Water Plant Operators are professionals responsible for running and maintaining water treatment plants. They manage the equipment and processes that treat and distribute water for public consumption or industrial use. Their duties include monitoring water quality, conducting tests, adjusting chemical levels, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Water Plant Operators play a critical role in providing safe, clean water to communities.
What cities are hiring for Water Plant Operator jobs? Cities with the most Water Plant Operator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Water Plant Operator jobs? The most popular types of Water Plant Operator jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Water Plant Operator jobs? The top employers for Water Plant Operator jobs are:
What states have the most Water Plant Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Water Plant Operator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Water Plant Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,885 per year, or $28.3 per hour.
Water Plant Operator

Water Plant Operator

HR Partners

Louisburg, KS

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Company: City of Louisburg
Title: Water Plant Operator
Job Classification: Non-exempt, Full-Time
Reporting Relationship: Water Plant Supervisor
Work Location: Louisburg, KS
Under the supervision of the Water Plant Supervisor, Water Plant Operator is a non-exempt position under FLSA which performs semi-skilled maintenance of the city water plant and for providing safe, quality water for the Marais Des Cygnes Public Utility Authority. This employee should possess strong technical and mental aptitude, and effective communication, organizational, and public relation skills..
Primary Accountabilities:
Major Duties:

  • Tests water quality by performing routine lab tests such as turbidity, pH, chlorine residual, alkalinity, and hardness.
  • Records daily plant data and maintain records
  • Maintains department equipment, such as pumps, motors, test equipment
  • Performs routine maintenance on water plant facilities and grounds
  • Operate and monitor treatment plant processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, clarification, disinfection, chemical feed, and biological processes.
  • Adjust chemical feed rates to maintain process control.
  • Use SCADA, PLCs, and telemetry systems to monitor process variables, alarms, and system performance and respond to alarms promptly.
  • Performs mowing and groundskeeping duties for city properties
  • Ability and willingness to stay current with advanced technology through employer provided training and/or formal classes
  • Is part of an on-call rotation for department.
  • Flexible and able to support additional areas as needed.
  • Must have a valid Kansas driver’s license
  • Drug/Alcohol screening required
Secondary Duties:
  • Maintain department vehicles and equipment
  • Operates mowers and other lawn equipment
  • Work on water lines within the plant
  • Performs other duties as deemed necessary or assigned
  • Performing general housekeeping, cleaning, painting, and minor landscaping tasks.
Required Qualifications:
  • Education: A high school diploma or GED is required. A technical degree or some college credit is preferred. Class II Water Operator license preferred or the ability to obtain a Class II Water Operator certification within two years of employment.
  • Experience: One year of job-related experience is preferred but not required. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within one year of employment
  • Technical Skills: Knowledge of mechanics and mathematics is required. This employee will operate pumps, motors, chemical test equipment, and tractors. The ability to understand and anticipate problems, to prepare reports and other documents, to interpret data, and to read and interpret oral and written instructions is required. This employee should possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Problem Solving: Independent problem solving is involved in this position. This employee encounters problems while troubleshooting mechanical, chemical, electrical problems, equipment malfunctions, adverse weather, and, water leaks.
  • Decision Making: Independent decision making is involved in this position. This employee makes decisions about prioritizing safety, daily assignments and performing daily duties in the most efficient manner.
  • Supervision: This employee is subject to supervision from the Water Plant Supervisor and has no supervisory duties.
  • Financial Accountability: This employee is responsible for department equipment, has no authority to purchase necessary supplies and resources, and does not participate in the annual budget process.
  • Personal Relations: Daily contact with the general public, co-workers, and supervisory personnel is required.
On-Call Duties:
  • Employee may be required to perform on-call duties during the week and on weekends.
Physical Demands:
  • Manual labor including lifting and carrying heavy objects, standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, climbing, kneeling, stooping, talking, hearing, and the ability to operate equipment is frequently required in this position.
Work Environment:
  • Adverse working conditions exist within this position. Exposure to hazardous chemicals, human blood and fluids, heavy machinery, excessive noise, work in confined spaces, heights, and all types of weather conditions is expected..
Additional Duties:
Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee(s) holding this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.
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