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Water Treatment Operator Trainee Jobs in Rochester, MN

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Water Treatment Operator Trainee information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$14

$27

$50

How much do water treatment operator trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for water treatment operator trainee in Rochester, MN is $27.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.81 and $33.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a water treatment operator trainee?

Water Treatment Operator Trainees are entry-level professionals who assist in the operation and maintenance of water treatment facilities. They work under the supervision of experienced operators to learn how to monitor water quality, operate equipment, and ensure that water meets safety and regulatory standards. Their duties often include conducting tests, recording data, and performing basic maintenance tasks. Over time, trainees gain the skills and certifications needed to become fully qualified water treatment operators.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water treatment operator trainee?

To thrive as a Water Treatment Operator Trainee, you need a basic understanding of water treatment processes, mechanical aptitude, and typically at least a high school diploma or GED. Familiarity with laboratory testing equipment, SCADA systems, and safety protocols is common, and obtaining state operator-in-training certification may be required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help trainees excel in monitoring and maintaining treatment systems. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient water treatment operations that protect public health.

What are some common challenges faced by water treatment operator trainees during the initial training period?

As a Water Treatment Operator Trainee, one of the main challenges is quickly learning to operate complex equipment and monitoring systems while adhering to strict safety and regulatory standards. Trainees often need to develop a strong attention to detail and the ability to respond calmly to unexpected issues, such as equipment malfunctions or changes in water quality. Additionally, adjusting to shift work and collaborating effectively with experienced operators and maintenance staff can require good communication skills and adaptability. Support and mentorship from senior team members are common, helping trainees build confidence and technical expertise over time.

What is the difference between Water Treatment Operator Trainee vs Water Treatment Operator?

AspectWater Treatment Operator TraineeWater Treatment Operator
CertificationsOften requires a high school diploma; some certifications may be preferred or required during trainingRequires relevant certifications such as state licensing or operator certification
Work EnvironmentTraining environment, supervised, learning on the jobFull-time, operational environment, responsible for daily water treatment tasks
Job ResponsibilitiesLearning procedures, assisting with operations, gaining experienceMonitoring equipment, adjusting processes, ensuring water quality

In summary, a Water Treatment Operator Trainee is in the learning phase, gaining necessary skills and certifications, while a Water Treatment Operator is fully responsible for managing water treatment processes independently.

What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Water Treatment Operator Trainee jobs?

Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Water Treatment Operator Trainee job openings:

Water Treatment Operator Trainee jobs near you

Applications Engineer & Technical Account Mgr - Industrial Water Treatment

Rochester, MN • On-site

H. T. PROF Group
See more jobs at H. T. PROF Groupexternal

$75K - $125K/yr

Other

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Applications Engineer & Technical Account Mgr – Industrial Water Treatment

Type Direct Hire

ID WI59-2756782

Posted Aug 4, 2026

Applications Engineer & Technical Account Manager – Industrial Water Treatment
  • COMPENSATION: $75,000 to $125,000 Starting Base Salary (commensurate with technical depth) + Uncapped Commission Structure + Full Benefits Package & Vehicle/Travel Allowance
  • TERRITORY & SCHEDULE: SE Minnesota Territory | High-autonomy field position with daily travel (up to 3+ hours driving) for face-to-face client engineering consultation
  • EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required (Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering preferred)
  • EXPERIENCE: 3+ years of technical B2B sales or consultative engineering experience in heavy industrial, mechanical, or utility manufacturing markets
  • DOMAIN DEPTH: Direct familiarity with industrial water treatment, water chemistry, boiler/cooling tower operations, fluid mechanics, or process control infrastructure
  • CAREER GROWTH: Rapidly expanding market (10–12% annual growth) with clear pathways into Regional or Sales Manager leadership seats
  • REQUIREMENTS: US Citizen or Green Card holder residing within a dependable 55-minute drive of Rochester, MN

If you are an engineer or technical specialist looking to step away from a stagnant desk job and take control of your earning potential, this consultative territory role offers the perfect blend of engineering problem-solving and financial freedom. The employer is an expanding, highly respected systems integrator specializing in custom, automated industrial water treatment and process solutions.

Operating with a lean, non-bureaucratic corporate structure, the organization gives you true entrepreneurial freedom to manage a lucrative SE Minnesota territory. Backed by a world-class training program and a robust technical service team, you will balance high-impact new business acquisition with key account development—offering custom automated solutions to plant managers and engineering leaders.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)
  • Drive Territory Strategy: Serve as the primary technical consultant and Territory Manager across SE Minnesota, targeting 80% new account acquisition and 20% high-value account retention.
  • Deliver Consultative Engineering Solutions: Conduct technical field assessments for manufacturing plants, food/beverage facilities, and industrial sites managing high/low-pressure water systems.
  • Analyze Water Chemistry & System Specs: Evaluate water chemistry metrics, fluid dynamics, and process constraints to design custom, automated chemical and treatment systems.
  • Engage Plant Leadership: Partner directly with facility managers and chief engineers to engineer mechanical upgrades, fluid control systems, and chemical treatment protocols.
  • Manage the Full Sales Cycle: Guide complex enterprise sales cycles—from technical prospecting and proposal design to executive presentations, closing, and account growth.
  • Execute Daily Field Travel: Maintain an organized driving schedule throughout SE Minnesota, spending time on-site conducting face-to-face engineering reviews.
  • Collaborate with Internal Teams: Work closely with internal applications staff to optimize custom equipment configurations for complex field applications.
What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)
  • Educational Foundation: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental strongly preferred).
  • 3+ years of B2B Technical Sales / Applications Experience managing complex capital equipment or industrial process control sales.
  • Industrial Domain Depth: Practical understanding of water treatment chemistry, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, or fluid handling systems.
  • Commercial Track Record: Demonstrated history of meeting or exceeding technical sales goals and expanding territory revenue.
  • Territory & Travel Discipline: Capability and willingness to manage a large regional footprint with daily field travel.
  • Employment Stability: A dependable, progressive career history showing commitment, reliability, and growth.
  • Local Proximity: Residing within a 55-minute daily driving radius of the Rochester, MN area.
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