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Water Treatment Plant Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator or Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Job Duties Performs daily inspections of plants for proper operation ...

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Under Supervision of the Water Treatment Plant Supervisor, the Water Treatment Plant Operator produces bulk potable and non-potable water using mobile ROWPU and other water production equipment.

DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 25210 WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR description from the Service Contract Act (SCA) Dictionary of Occupations (DOT): Controls treatment plant machines and equipment to ...

DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 25210 WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR description from the Service Contract Act (SCA) Dictionary of Occupations (DOT): Controls treatment plant machines and equipment to ...

Description Under the direction of the Water Treatment Plant Primary Operator or designee, responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of the Town's water treatment facility, storage tanks ...

Brief Description Under general supervision of the Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, work ... Operating and working around machinery, heavy equipment, chemicals, and moving equipment. Recognize ...

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Water Treatment Plant Operator information

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$30K

$57.4K

$93.5K

How much do water treatment plant operator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for water treatment plant operator in the United States is $57,354.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $66,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a water treatment plant operator do?

A Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for managing and maintaining the equipment and processes that treat and purify water for public consumption, industrial use, or wastewater treatment. They monitor water quality, operate control systems, perform routine maintenance, and ensure that water meets safety and regulatory standards. Operators may also collect water samples, test for contaminants, and adjust chemical levels to ensure effective treatment. Their work is essential for providing safe, clean water and protecting public health.

What does a water treatment plant operator do?

A water treatment plant operator works with a team of other operators to oversee the treatment of wastewater and production of drinking water at a treatment plant. As a water treatment plant operator, your responsibilities include monitoring the treatment system to ensure that plant processes are working as expected. While the majority of treatment and testing is automated, you are expected to manually spot test water quality to ensure plant systems are working. Your job is to oversee the day to day operation of the water treatment plant to make sure your output meets states standards.

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

To thrive as a Water Treatment Plant Operator, you need a strong understanding of water treatment processes, chemistry, and safety regulations, typically supported by a high school diploma and relevant state certification or licensure. Familiarity with SCADA systems, water quality testing equipment, and maintenance tools is essential for daily operations. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for responding to operational issues and working with teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of clean water to communities.

What are some common challenges faced by water treatment plant operators on a daily basis?

Water Treatment Plant Operators often encounter challenges such as responding quickly to unexpected equipment malfunctions, maintaining compliance with strict environmental and safety regulations, and adapting to changes in water quality due to weather or industrial discharges. Operators must also manage routine maintenance and troubleshooting, sometimes during off-hours or under time constraints. Effective communication with team members and supervisors is essential to ensure smooth operations and address any issues promptly.

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

AspectWater Treatment Plant OperatorWater Distribution System Operator
CertificationsWater Treatment Operator Certification, state-specific licensesWater Distribution Operator Certification, state-specific licenses
Work EnvironmentInside treatment plants, handling chemicals and equipmentOutside in the field, maintaining pipelines and valves
Job FocusPurifying water, managing treatment processesDistributing water, maintaining distribution infrastructure

Both roles require similar certifications and are essential in water management. While Water Treatment Plant Operators focus on water purification within treatment facilities, Water Distribution System Operators handle the delivery of water through pipelines. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

How much do water treatment plant operators make in the US?

Water treatment plant operators in the US typically earn a median annual wage of around $50,000 to $55,000. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and certifications such as the Class A or B operator license, with some operators earning over $70,000 annually in higher-paying regions or with advanced skills.

What cities are hiring for Water Treatment Plant Operator jobs?

Cities with the most Water Treatment Plant Operator job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Water Treatment Plant Operator jobs?

The most popular types of Water Treatment Plant Operator jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Water Treatment Plant Operator jobs?

The top employers for Water Treatment Plant Operator jobs are:

What states have the most Water Treatment Plant Operator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Water Treatment Plant Operator jobs include:

Infographic showing various Water Treatment Plant Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,354 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II, III - North Water Treatment Plant

Town of Gilbert

Gilbert, AZ

$27.51 - $49.49/hr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Town Of Gilbert (Arizona) rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

170th of 846 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

We Are Seeking Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II, III. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering the opportunity for professional growth in a rewarding and innovative work environment. This vacancy is at our North Water Treatment Plant, located at 2865 E.

Guadalupe Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234. The Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II, III reports to the Water Treatment Plant Utility Supervisor. The primary duties of the position include: Operate the water treatment plant, including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system or manually.

Conduct minor plant and equipment maintenance, including general housekeeping, and assist maintenance staff. Perform laboratory analysis and jar test to determine optimum chemical dosages. Additionally, the Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for keeping logbooks, lab books, lab reports, midnight daily total reports, inspection reports, backwash logs, and updating the ozone database.

Operate and monitor water treatment plant systems using DCS and SCADA computer systems, conduct visual plant inspections, monitor plant operations and processes, and work safely with and around treatment Chemicals. Detect problems to ensure proper operation and make process decisions as deemed appropriate. Additionally, we train new employees in the operations and maintenance of Two Surface Water Treatment Plants, utilizing the latest treatment technology and focusing on continuous quality improvement.

View the full job descriptions: Water Treatment Plant Operator I, Water Treatment Plant Operator II, Water Treatment Plant Operator III This position is an At-Will position and is FLSA Non-Exempt - eligible for overtime compensation. Employment with the Town of Gilbert is at-will. Tentative Recruitment Timeline Posting Closes: Sunday, September 20, 2026 In-Person Interviews: Week of September 28, 2026 Anticipated Start Date: October 12, 2026 This timeline is provided as an estimate and is subject to change based on business needs.

About You At Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do. In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily. You are someone who effectively exceeds customer needs by building productive relationships and taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty.

You actively participate as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals and produce quality outcomes. You are committed to our safety philosophy, and you take great pride in proactively managing time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently while accomplishing objectives and achieving goals beyond what is required. Candidates for a Level I Operator must meet the following requirements: High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)

Supplemented by vocational/technical training in water treatment plant operations and water distribution systems. 0-2 years of experience in public sector water treatment plant operations. Under the supervision of an operator II or III must be able to work day or evening shift as required and overtime when necessary.

Valid Arizona Driver's license. ADEQ Grade 1 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification at the time of hire. Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Pay range for a Water Treatment Plant Operator I is $27.51 - $39.89/hr. Candidates for a Level II Operator must meet the following requirements: High School Diploma or GED. 2 years or more of technical training beyond high school in water treatment

2 - 5 years of experience in public sector water distribution systems and in water treatment. Grade 2 Water Treatment Certification and Grade 2 Water Distribution Certification at the time of hire or promotion. Pay range for a Water Treatment Plant Operator II is $30.94 - $46.41/hr

Candidates for a Level III Operator must meet the following requirements: High School Diploma or GED. 4 years or more of technical training beyond high school in water treatment. 2 years of experience in public sector water distribution systems and 4 years of experience in water treatment.

Grade 3 Water Treatment Certification and a Grade 3 Water Distribution Certification at the time of hire or promotion. Pay range for a Water Treatment Plant Operator III is $33.00 - $49.49/hr. Work will require climbing portable ladders and entering confined spaces

Operators work varied shifts, requiring availability on a rotating schedule for workdays, evenings, nights, and weekends. Why Team Gilbert. To view the slide show presentation above, click here.

We Are Here to Help. Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823.

Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.


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