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Water Treatment Operator Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Water Treatment Operator information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$13

$26

$48

How much do water treatment operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for water treatment operator in Decatur, IL is $26.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.89 and $31.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do water treatment operators make in the US?

Water treatment operators in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $60,000. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and certifications such as the Wastewater Treatment Certification or Water Treatment Certification, with some operators earning over $70,000 annually in higher-paying regions or with advanced skills.

Where do water treatment operators make the most money?

Water treatment operators tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for water infrastructure, such as urban areas or states with extensive water treatment needs. Factors like experience, certifications, and the complexity of the treatment systems also influence earning potential.

What are some common daily responsibilities for a Water Treatment Operator, and how do these tasks contribute to plant operations?

Water Treatment Operators are typically responsible for monitoring and adjusting equipment, conducting water quality tests, recording data, and responding to alarms or malfunctions. Daily tasks may include inspecting pumps and filters, adding chemicals, and ensuring regulatory compliance. These responsibilities are vital for maintaining safe, reliable water supply and for preventing environmental contamination, making operators integral to both public health and operational efficiency.

What is a Water Treatment Operator?

Water treatment operators treat and transfer water and wastewater. They operate treatment plant machine systems with control boards, collect water and sewage samples, test and study water for quality, and transport water to designated locations. They also add chemicals to wastewater to disinfect it and turn it into drinking water. Water and wastewater treatment operators must hold a special certification or license and adhere to state regulations and safety procedures.

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

AspectWater Treatment OperatorWater Plant Operator
CertificationsTypically requires state-specific water treatment certificationsOften requires similar water treatment or plant operation licenses
Work EnvironmentWorks at water treatment facilities, handling water purification processesOperates and maintains water treatment or distribution systems
Industry UsageCommonly used in municipal water treatment plantsUsed in municipal, industrial, and commercial water facilities

Water Treatment Operators and Water Plant Operators often perform similar roles in water facilities, focusing on water purification and system maintenance. While their titles may differ, both require comparable certifications and work environments. The main distinction lies in terminology used by employers, but their responsibilities and industry usage overlap significantly.

Is a water treatment operator a hard job?

A water treatment operator's job involves monitoring and maintaining water treatment systems, which requires technical skills, attention to detail, and adherence to safety protocols. The work can be physically demanding and may involve shift work, but proper training and certifications can help manage the job's challenges.

What does a water treatment operator do?

A water treatment operator is responsible for monitoring and operating equipment to treat and purify water, ensuring it meets safety and quality standards. They perform tests, adjust chemical levels, maintain equipment, and follow safety protocols, often working in shifts and requiring relevant certifications. Their work helps provide clean, safe drinking water and protect public health.

What are Water Treatment Operators?

Water Treatment Operators are professionals responsible for managing and maintaining systems that treat water to make it safe for drinking, industrial use, or environmental release. They monitor and operate equipment, conduct tests to ensure water quality, and adjust processes to comply with safety standards and regulations. Their work is essential for public health, as they help ensure communities have access to clean and safe water.

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

To thrive as a Water Treatment Operator, you need knowledge of water treatment processes, chemistry, and safety regulations, generally supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant certifications like a state water operator license. Familiarity with SCADA systems, water quality testing equipment, and maintenance tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These skills ensure safe, efficient operation of water treatment facilities and compliance with environmental standards, directly impacting public health.
What are popular job titles related to Water Treatment Operator jobs in Decatur, IL? For Water Treatment Operator jobs in Decatur, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Water Treatment Operator jobs in Decatur, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Water Treatment Operator jobs in Decatur, IL are:
What cities near Decatur, IL are hiring for Water Treatment Operator jobs? Cities near Decatur, IL with the most Water Treatment Operator job openings:
Infographic showing various Water Treatment Operator job openings in Decatur, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,296 per year, or $26.6 per hour.
Maintenance Technician I

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Ring Container Technologies rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 112 rated packaging manufacturers


Job description

Job Purpose

To ensure safe and efficient operation of all equipment; perform scheduled preventative maintenance as planned; perform production equipment changeovers; troubleshoot hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and mechanical problems when needed; maintain proper records for maintenance, inventory of parts, and emergency repairs; promote good housekeeping habits related to maintenance; coordinate equipment training as needed; and communicate ideas and other problems to the management staff.

Safety

  • Follow all employer safety and health regulations as required by company policies, procedures and practices.
  • Ensure the safe and efficient operation of all plant equipment to meet or exceed company established safety culture.
  • Follow Lock out/Block Out/ Tag out policy.
  • Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where required.
  • Proactive in addressing unsafe conditions and confronting unsafe behaviors in the facility.
  • Participate and/or conduct safety training as scheduled.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

  • Ensure the safe and efficient operation of all equipment to meet or exceed company established Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) expectations and customer quality expectations.
  • Proactive in addressing inefficiencies of production equipment.
  • Install, troubleshoot, and maintain equipment.
  • Troubleshoot basic hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, mechanical and process problems with equipment as needed or directed by Maintenance Manager.
  • Use power tool equipment in a safe manner to avoid injury or harm to self or other employees.
  • Perform scheduled Preventative Maintenance tasks as outlined by Maintenance Manager.
  • Evaluate production report comments prior to performing maintenance to ensure all causes for production inefficiencies are addressed and corrected.
  • Continually evaluate equipment for improvement areas. Tag components or parts that need repair, replacement or improvement.
  • Perform scheduled production equipment mold changeovers as outlined by Maintenance Manager or Production Manager.
  • Perform building maintenance as directed by Maintenance Manager.
  • Maintain sufficient records to support the Computerized Maintenance Management Software (EAM) including work orders and parts management.
  • Coordinate with Production Manager and/or Maintenance Manager as it relates to production equipment training and employee development.
  • Responsible for personal development by requesting regular meetings with managers, requesting additional training, requesting involvement beyond immediate job responsibilities, seeking higher education opportunities including continuing education classes and establishing self-development and performance goals with manager.
  • Responsible for active participation on plant teams and activities including safety, quality, sustainability, community involvement, OEE, maintenance, employee wellness, brainstorming and continuous improvement which are required to create and maintain a World Class environment.
  • Operate Powered Industrial Truck, Boom Lift and Scissor Lift per OSHA regulations rules and guidelines.

Quality/GMP/Food Safety

  • Maintain production equipment to ensure it is operating properly to manufacture products which meet quality specifications.
  • Ensure all non-conforming equipment which impacts safety, food safety, or product quality is identified and removed from service until repaired or replaced.
  • Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), personnel practices, HACCP, and prerequisite food safety programs.
  • Ensure work is performed in a manner which prevents foreign material contamination, including reconciliation of all tools and parts and proper securement of hardware.
  • Communicate quality, food safety and food defense issues to appropriate personnel.
  • Maintain a clean, organized work area through effective housekeeping, sanitization, and waste management practices by following the master cleaning and sanitization schedule to ensure the food safety of materials, products and processes are not impacted.
  • Proactively resolve housekeeping and sanitization opportunities.

Experience, Educational and Technical Qualifications

  • Maintenance Technician I should possess a sense of urgency, accountability, business ethics, professionalism, self-motivation and the desire and focus to improve the business.
  • Maintenance Technician I must possess a High School Diploma or GED equivalent and other technical certifications and training applicable to servicing industrial equipment in a manufacturing environment.
  • Maintenance Technician I must possess at least 2-3 years of preventative maintenance in hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical troubleshooting within a manufacturing environment.

Abilities Required

  • Must be able to come to work promptly and regularly.

  • Must be able to take direction and work well with others.

  • Must be able to work under the stress of deadlines.

  • Must be able to concentrate and perform accurately.

  • Must be able to react to change productively and to handle other tasks as assigned.

Physical Activity Required:

  • Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs and equipment, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Needs good body agility.

  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist. This requires the full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

  • Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending legs and spine.

  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

  • Standing: Standing for sustained periods of time.

  • Walking: Moving over long distances to accomplish tasks.

  • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

  • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

  • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position.

  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

  • Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin.

  • Fingering: Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm.

  • Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. This includes activities where detailed or important spoken instruction must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

  • Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds with no less than 40 dB at 500 Hz, 100 Hz, and 2000 Hz with or without correction. Able to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machine parts.

  • Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements of the arms, hand and/or fingers.

  • Vision: Must be able to prepare and analyze data and figures. Eye sight capable of seeing small defects at distances close to the eyes.

  • Exertion: Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Environmental Working Conditions:

  • The worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.

  • The worker may be subject to extreme heat. Temperatures above 100 for periods of more than one hour.

  • The worker is subject to noise.

  • The worker is subject to vibrations. Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

  • The worker is subject to being exposed to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, etc.

  • The worker may be subject to atmospheric conditions, i.e. fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases or poor ventilation.

  • The worker is subject to oils. Air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

#LI-BH1

Ring Container Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Ring to apply recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation and professional development practices without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or certain classifications based on genetic information.

Pay Range:

$23.60 - $34.65

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