1

Water Plant Operator Jobs in Springfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

Extraction Technician

Springfield, IL · On-site

$20.50 - $22.50/hr

You have experience working in a production or lab environment and are comfortable operating within ... This position has allergen warnings, potential exposure to dust, pollen, and plant pathogens, and ...

Showing results 21-22

Water Plant Operator information

See Springfield, IL salary details

$29.2K

$58.4K

$97.6K

How much do water plant operator jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for water plant operator in Springfield, IL is $58,361.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,600.00 and $66,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a water plant operator?

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 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water plant operator?

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.

How much do water treatment plant operators make?

Water treatment plant operators in Texas typically earn an average annual salary of around $45,000 to $55,000, depending on experience, certifications, and the size of the facility. Salaries can vary based on location, with additional pay for overtime, night shifts, or specialized skills such as SCADA system operation.

Is being a water plant operator a good job?

Water plant operators are responsible for maintaining and operating water treatment facilities to ensure safe drinking water. The job typically requires technical skills, certifications, and adherence to safety standards, and offers stable employment with opportunities for advancement. It can be a rewarding career for those interested in public health and environmental protection.

What are popular job titles related to Water Plant Operator jobs in Springfield, IL?

For Water Plant Operator jobs in Springfield, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Springfield, IL are hiring for Water Plant Operator jobs?

Cities near Springfield, IL with the most Water Plant Operator job openings:

Infographic showing various Water Plant Operator job openings in Springfield, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, 52% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,361 per year, or $28.1 per hour.

Traveling Superintendent - Heavy Civil Construction

Kiewit

Springfield, IL • On-site

$120 - $167/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Kiewit Corporation rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 140 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

21st of 80 rated construction


Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Traveling Superintendent - Heavy Civil Construction

Location: Springfield, IL, US Detroit, MI, US Milwaukee, WI, US Beloit, WI, US Columbus, OH, US Cayuga, IN, US Saint Louis, MO, US Cedar Rapids, IA, US Philadelphia, PA, US Itasca, IL, US Minneapolis, MN, US Chicago, IL, US Lenexa, KS, US Akron, OH, US Decatur, IL, US Cleveland, OH, US Elmwood, IL, US DesMoines, IA, US Indianapolis, IN, US Kenosha, WI, US

Requisition ID:180108

Job Level:Mid Level

Home District/Group:Eastern District

Department:Field Supervision

Market:Transportation

Employment Type:Full Time

Position Overview

As a Superintendent, you will play a significant part in the success for Kiewit. You will function as a field supervisor overseeing construction project operations and may have responsibility for multiple foremen, and/or laborers/craft workers. You with be responsible for the organization, work methods, scheduling, cost control, conformity with drawings and specification, workmanship, and assignment of work to accomplish project goals, either directly or through general foreman or foreman. You will also work to maintain positive working relationships with clients, architect/engineer, suppliers, subcontractors, and jobsite staff.

District Overview

Kiewit’s Eastern District specializes in challenging heavy civil construction projects throughout the Northeast, including the metropolitan areas of New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington DC. We are leaders in bridge, transit, foundation, tunnel, and water/wastewater construction while specializing in cast-in-place concrete, structural steel erection, earthwork, pile driving, and caissons. Kiewit’s Eastern District also has a large amount of work in the energy/power sector in various northeast locations. With our experienced and dedicated employees, extensive resources and in-depth market knowledge, the Eastern District can handle projects of any size.

Location

This position will be put on a travel rotation to support our work.

Responsibilities
  • Act as a field supervisor overseeing construction operations on the project.
  • Mentor and help to grow junior superintendents and other direct reports.
  • Review and approve the balance of foremen, journeymen, and laborer’s composite labor rates.
  • Manage contract administration (subcontractor/field management meeting for communication).
  • Develop a program to maintain good client relations involving staff on site.
  • Initiate and attend supplementary and regular meetings with client for problem resolution and planning.
  • Oversee and approve monthly job cost updates and quarterly cash flow projections.
  • Review, approve, and negotiate change orders.
  • Develop and implement a plan for project completion and turnover.
  • Create, update, review, and maintain daily reports and logs for record keeping purposes.
  • Ensure that all performance evaluations are completed and documented in a timely fashion for direct reports.
  • Recommend organizational, policy, procedural, and/or staff changes as needed.
  • Review, approve, and/or reject promotions up to General Foremen.
Qualifications
  • 5+ years of construction experience with at least 2 years being in a superintendent/leadership capacity supporting construction operations.
  • Experience working on water and wastewater treatment and/or process plant construction projects.
  • Must be a self-starter, highly motivated with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to quickly learn and understand various processes regarding Kiewit’s policies, procedures, and software programs.
  • Ability to identify and resolve any problems that may arise.
  • Excellent organizational, administrative, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong experience in leadership, safety, negotiations, planning, and contract administration.
  • Ability to travel as needed.

#LI-SS1

Other Requirements
  • Regular, reliable attendance
  • Work productively and meet deadlines timely
  • Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
  • Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
  • Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
  • May work at various different locations and conditions may vary

Base Compensation:$120,000 -$167,000/yr

(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

There’s no limit to what you’ll do at Kiewit. Whether you’re building or supporting projects that provide communities with dependable energy, safe transportation, clean water, or access to health care, the work you do will positively impact people’s lives for generations to come.

Here you’ll have endless opportunities to expand your expertise through on-the-job experience and internal and external training and development opportunities.

We offer our full-time staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry.From top-tier health care programs to employee assistance programs and retirement planning, we aim to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the areas of life that matter most to you.

Kiewit is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe a diverse workforce is vital to the success of our business. We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain employees from all backgrounds who are passionate about our industry.

We are committed to veteran and military hiring and will consider relevant military experience as equivalent to qualification requirements.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

What Kiewit Corporation employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Kiewit logo

About Kiewit

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kiewit Infrastructure Engineering's Design-Build team is driving clients to turn to Kiewit during all stages of design-build projects. Through our integrated design and construction approach, our multi-disciplinary team works together to improve schedule, control costs and minimize risk. Our construction-focused engineers work collaboratively with our estimators and builders to design solutions that are innovative, constructible, and designed with a focus on safety. Clients benefit from the proven processes and tools used by Kiewit to minimize project risk. We are an in-house resource that supports projects throughout the company. Our staff shares experiences gained, innovative concepts, and best practices for all projects that we support.

Industry

Construction materials wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1884