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Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Andover, MA ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

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 ...

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Ennis, TX ยท On-site

$43K - $59K/yr

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

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$60 - $80/hr

VVater seeks a skilled and dependable Water Treatment Plant Operator to oversee the operations, maintenance, and management of water treatment facilities, including drinking and sewage treatment ...

VVater seeks a skilled and dependable Water Treatment Plant Operator to oversee the operations, maintenance, and management of water treatment facilities, including drinking and sewage treatment ...

VVater seeks a skilled and dependable Water Treatment Plant Operator to oversee the operations, maintenance, and management of water treatment facilities, including drinking and sewage treatment ...

Showing results 41-60

Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee information

See salary details

$30.5K

$53K

$85.5K

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

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for water treatment plant operator trainee in the United States is $52,962.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,000.00 and $59,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a water treatment plant operator trainee?

Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainees are entry-level employees who learn how to operate and maintain the systems that treat and purify drinking water or wastewater. They work under the supervision of experienced operators to monitor equipment, collect water samples, record data, and assist with routine maintenance tasks. Through on-the-job training and sometimes formal coursework, they gain the skills and knowledge needed to ensure water quality and comply with safety and environmental regulations. After gaining experience and passing required exams, trainees may become certified operators and take on greater responsibilities.

What can I expect during my first year as a water treatment plant operator trainee?

During your first year as a Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee, you will primarily focus on learning plant operations, understanding water purification processes, and mastering safety protocols. You'll spend time shadowing experienced operators, monitoring equipment, collecting water samples, and performing basic laboratory tests under supervision. The role often involves shift work, including nights and weekends, and requires close collaboration with maintenance staff and management to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. As you gain proficiency, you'll be given more responsibility and may begin preparing for certification exams, which are essential for career advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water treatment plant operator trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee, you need a basic understanding of water chemistry, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with SCADA systems, laboratory testing equipment, and the ability to obtain state operator certification are typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work well both independently and in teams are valuable soft skills. These competencies are essential to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operation of water treatment processes that protect public health.

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

AspectWater Treatment Plant Operator TraineeWater Treatment Plant Operator
CertificationsTypically requires a high school diploma; some certifications may be preferredRequires state-specific licensing or certifications after training
Work EnvironmentSupervised training environment at water treatment facilitiesFull responsibility for operating and maintaining water treatment systems
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with equipment operation, learning procedures, and gaining experienceMonitoring water quality, adjusting treatment processes, and troubleshooting

The main difference is that the Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee is in a learning phase, gaining experience under supervision, while the Water Treatment Plant Operator has full responsibilities and required certifications to independently operate water treatment systems.

More about Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee jobs

What cities are hiring for Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee jobs?

Cities with the most Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee 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:

What states have the most Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,962 per year, or $25.5 per hour.

Water Treatment Plant Operator I

The Metropolitan Water District Of Southern California

Granada Hills, CA โ€ข On-site

$40.01 - $52.56/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 8 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Assist Water Treatment Plant Operators in the daily operation of the Water Treatment Plant processes and all associated facilities, structures, and equipment.

  • Adjust processes to meet system demands and water quality goals, complete necessary reports, and use computer programs for record-keeping and project tracking.

  • Support the operation of treatment plants that utilize ozone as the primary disinfectant, working on a rotational schedule of 12.5-hour day and night shifts.


Job description

This recruitment will be used to build an eligibility list at the following locations: Diemer (Yorba Linda, CA),Mills (Riverside, CA), Lake Skinner (Winchester, CA), Mills (Riverside, CA), and Weymouth (La Verne, CA). This list will be valid for 6 months from the date a candidate accepts the position.
The Metropolitan Water District's Water Treatment Group has one opening for Water Treatment Plant Operator I located at the Jensen Filtration Plant (Granada Hills, CA).
As a Water Treatment Plant Operator I, you will be responsible for assisting the Water Treatment Plant Operators in the daily operation of the Water Treatment Plant processes and all associated facilities, structures, and equipment. Additional duties include: adjust processes to meet system demands and water quality goals; complete necessary reports; and use computer programs for timekeeping, record-keeping and project tracking. The District operates five conventional treatment plants, that utilizes ozone as its primary disinfectant, that range from 220 MGD to 750 MGD.
Work Schedule: 12.5-hour day and night shifts on a rotational basis. Working on holidays may also be required. Please note, at times the District may change employees on a 12.5 hour shift schedule to a 4-10 schedule (four consecutive 10 - hour day shifts).
This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.
To view the full job description click here: Water Treatment Plant Operator I
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: A high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate and two (2) years of water related experience or one (1) year experience working at surface water treatment plant.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Employees in this position will be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications, licensing and registrations:
  • Valid California Class C Driver's License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.
  • State of California Water Treatment Certification Grade II (required at time of application)
  • Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Certification
  • Chemical Responder Certification
  • Forklift Certification

CLOSING
Benefits:
  • Competitive compensation
  • Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.
  • Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.
  • Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Training and advancement opportunities
  • Excellent working environment
  • Public transportation reimbursements

For more information on MWD benefits, please use the following links: Regular FT PT Employees (Represented)
ABOUT MWD
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities, who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please call (213) 217-7738 or email: jobs@mwdh2o.com.
Metropolitan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic(s).
Application Filing Period: Closes at 4:30 pm PST on the date stated in the job announcement. However it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.
Eligibility List*: An eligibility list is a list of qualified candidates created when a job posting states that one will be established.
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications listed in the original posting and successfully pass all stages of the recruitment process-but are not selected for the initial vacancy-may be placed on this list for future openings.
The list may be used to invite candidates to participate in a selection interview for a future vacancy in the same classification / title (if there is one). The duration of the list depends on the applicable bargaining unit.
Qualifying Experience: Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part-time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.
Sponsorship: Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment-based immigration case).
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