ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Water Treatment Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pilgrim's

Water Treatment Operator - Days

Arcadia, WI

$23.31/hr

Opportunity to grow your career through our Supervisor Development Program or Management Trainee ... The Water Treatment Operator is responsible for the daily operation and upkeep of the Water ...

Pilgrim's

Water Treatment Operator - Days

Arcadia, WI · On-site

$23.31/hr

Opportunity to grow your career through our Supervisor Development Program or Management Trainee ... The Water Treatment Operator is responsible for the daily operation and upkeep of the Water ...

JBS Imports

Water Treatment Operator - Days

Arcadia, WI · On-site

$23.31/hr

Opportunity to grow your career through our Supervisor Development Program or Management Trainee ... The Water Treatment Operator is responsible for the daily operation and upkeep of the Water ...

Pilgrim's

Water Treatment Operator - Days

Arcadia, WI

$23.31/hr

Opportunity to grow your career through our Supervisor Development Program or Management Trainee ... The Water Treatment Operator is responsible for the daily operation and upkeep of the Water ...

Pilgrim's

Water Treatment Operator - Days

Arcadia, WI

$23.31/hr

Opportunity to grow your career through our Supervisor Development Program or Management Trainee ... The Water Treatment Operator is responsible for the daily operation and upkeep of the Water ...

Altair Equipment Company

Be Seen First

Water Treatment Technician Trainee

Warminster, PA · On-site

$18 - $25/hr

You will learn all aspects of the service and assembly of water treatment equipment. We rotate our trainees through all aspects of the company including regeneration, field service, pipe assembly ...

Pilgrim's

Water Treatment Operator - Days

Arcadia, WI · On-site

$23.31/hr

Opportunity to grow your career through our Supervisor Development Program or Management Trainee ... The Water Treatment Operator is responsible for the daily operation and upkeep of the Water ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsWater Treatment JobsWater Treatment Trainee Jobs

Water Treatment Trainee information

See salary details

$13

$21

$36

How much do water treatment trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for water treatment trainee in the United States is $21.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Water Treatment Trainee do?

A Water Treatment Trainee assists in the operation and maintenance of water treatment facilities under the supervision of experienced staff. Their duties often include monitoring water quality, learning how to operate equipment, collecting samples, and performing routine maintenance. The trainee role is designed to provide hands-on experience and training to prepare individuals for more advanced positions in water treatment. Trainees also learn about regulations, safety procedures, and best practices to ensure safe and clean water for the community.

What are some typical challenges faced by Water Treatment Trainees during their initial months on the job?

Water Treatment Trainees often encounter challenges such as adapting to the technical complexity of water treatment processes and learning to operate specialized equipment safely. They must quickly become familiar with regulatory compliance standards and rigorous safety protocols, which can feel overwhelming at first. Additionally, trainees typically work rotating shifts and must adjust to early mornings, nights, or weekends, depending on the facility's schedule. However, with support from experienced team members and a structured training program, most trainees become comfortable with these aspects over time.

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

AspectWater Treatment TraineeWater Treatment Operator
CertificationsBasic certifications or on-the-job trainingAdvanced certifications, such as Water Treatment Operator licenses
Work EnvironmentTraining sites, labs, or entry-level plant areasOperational plant floors, control rooms, and maintenance areas
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with testing, monitoring, and learning proceduresOperating equipment, monitoring systems, and maintaining water quality

The Water Treatment Trainee role is an entry-level position focused on learning and assisting with water treatment processes. In contrast, a Water Treatment Operator is a more experienced role responsible for operating and maintaining water treatment systems. Trainees typically work under supervision and aim to gain the skills needed for full operator roles.

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

To thrive as a Water Treatment Trainee, you need a basic understanding of water treatment processes, safety protocols, and a high school diploma or equivalent, with some employers preferring additional coursework in science or math. Familiarity with laboratory testing equipment, SCADA systems, and the ability to pursue relevant certifications like a water treatment operator license are important. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and a willingness to learn help trainees excel in daily operations and adapt to regulatory requirements. These skills are essential to ensure safe, efficient water treatment operations and compliance with health and environmental standards.
More about Water Treatment Trainee jobs
What cities are hiring for Water Treatment Trainee jobs? Cities with the most Water Treatment Trainee job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Water Treatment jobs? The most popular types of Water Treatment jobs are:
What states have the most Water Treatment Trainee jobs? States with the most job openings for Water Treatment Trainee jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Water Treatment Trainee jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Water Treatment Trainee jobs are:
Water Treatment Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Water Treatment Trainee job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,990 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE

City of Lake Worth Beach

Lake Worth, FL • On-site

$18.41 - $23.38/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

The City of Lake Worth Beach invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Water Treatment Operator Trainee.

This Full-Time position is non-exempt with an hourly pay range of $18.41 - $23.38. This position will work at Water Treatment Plant at 301 College Street, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460.


In addition, this position offers:

  • Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
  • 13 Paid Holidays
  • 3 Floating Holidays
  • City of Lake Worth Beach Medical Benefits that include Life Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage
  • Retirement Plan

JOB SUMMARY:

This is an entry level position in water treatment plant operations. It requires twelve (12) months of training by a certified operator for a trainee to understand the fundamentals of water treatment plant operations.


This is an entry level / Training position in the operation of a water treatment plant on assigned shift. The water plant consists of a 12.9MGD Lime Softening Plant with 12 wells, 4.5 MGD Reverse Osmosis Plant with 3 Floridan well, one 4.05 MGD Deep Injection Well and 2 Booster Pumping Station. This position also provides training in maintenance and repair of treatment process and chemical feed equipment in the water treatment plant, wellfield, booster pumping stations and distribution system. This is moderately heavy labor position consisting of daily plant maintenance and skilled work in the water plant. The employee will assume the responsibility for the safe, efficient, environmentally acceptable operation and maintenance of water plant on an assigned shift.


The operator trainee will be engaged in maintaining electrical, instrumentation equipment, mechanical equipment, buildings and grounds. The operator may participate in more complex maintenance and repair work.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Under the overseeing of certified treatment plant operator the trainee will be expected to learn water treatment operations when given oral or written instruction of how to operate a water plant. The trainee will be required to learn all aspects of operation such as, but not limited to, adjusting flows, backwashing filters, adjusting chemicals, performing basic laboratory tests, changing charts, reading electric and water meters in the wellfield, recording pertinent information in the daily log book, and performing housekeeping duties. The trainee will keep the certified operator informed of any mechanical or electrical defects that he may come in contact with. Assists in the collection of water samples, repairs of treatment process equipment and other shift operations. Performs other job duties in order to be familiar with all aspects of water treatment operation. The trainee would be required to work different shifts.

  • Performs inspections of all mechanical and feed equipment.
  • Maintains all pumps, electric, check valves, air compressors, vacuum pump primer, and related piping.
  • Repairs and maintains lime slakers, polymer, chlorinator, ammoniator, acid, caustic and scale inhibitor feed systems
  • Maintains clear and accurate records of repairs in maintenance logs and/or daily log sheets in accordance to regulations of Palm Beach County Health Department, and Department of Environmental Protection.
  • Maintains inventory of supplies and repair parts and prepares justifications.
  • Receives and follows directions given and/or procedures as outlined in Plant policy or other applicable rules, regulations and laws.
  • Effectively operates and controls equipment within established procedures under most circumstances; to include emergency conditions.
  • Technical and operational understanding of all water plant systems; to include electrical switchgear up to 480 volts.
  • Learns to recognize readings which are not in line with equipment specifications and/or operating conditions and reports problems.
  • Follows applicable rules, regulations, environmental, safety, City and Plant policies.
  • Takes direction in performing the necessary manual operation and adjustments to start, stop and maintain proper startup, shutdown and operation of all water plant equipment.
  • Receives deliveries and fills out appropriate reports as necessary.
  • Understanding water chemistry and treatment.
  • Checks chemical pumps for proper operation and changes chemical containers, when necessary.
  • Performs general daily maintenance, cleaning, painting, etc. on water plant equipment; to include structures, offices, control rooms and other areas designated.
  • Works with other water plant operators in the maintenance and repair of equipment.


OTHER RELATED DUTIES

The examples of essential functions as listed in this classification specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function of work does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.


Supervision: None


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Graduation from a recognized high school or possession of a recognized equivalent certification. A comparable amount of training and/or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
  • Worked in a water treatment plant with a minimum of one (1) year of experience as either a water, wastewater treatment plant mechanic or operator is preferred.
  • Must have passing “C” level State Exam

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

  • Graduation from a recognized high school or possession of a recognized equivalent certification. Some experience in mechanical, electrical, laboratory work. Math skills preferred
  • A valid Florida driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Basic knowledge of chemistry and mathematics as it relates to water treatment. Ability to learn methods and practices of modern water treatment operations. Ability to learn and understand the functions of basic water hydraulics of different types of pumps used in water treatment. Ability to learn water analysis and interpret their results. Ability to learn how to calculate dosages of chemicals and the metric unit of measurement used in the lab and in the field. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions under the direction of a certified operator.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

  • Basic knowledge of lime softening equipment, tanks, piping, valves and the chemical properties of quicklime.
  • Basic knowledge of Reverse Osmosis equipment, tanks, piping, valves and the chemical properties.
  • Ability to safely handle chemical when working on feed equipment. Complete understanding of the dangers of working around chlorine, ammonia, Acid, Caustic and lime slaking equipment.
  • Skilled in the use of mechanic's tools and shop equipment in the installation, repair and maintenance of water treatment plant equipment and related piping
  • Ability to work from blueprints, pencil drawings, written and oral instructions.
  • Demonstrates ability to perform duties and responsibilities.
  • Ability to work extended hours when required; to include nights, weekends and holidays.
  • Ability to work overtime; to include both scheduled and unscheduled, as needed and to report to work on a short notice in an emergency.
  • Ability to perform high school level mathematical calculations.
  • Ability to read and understand blueprints, procedures, technical manuals and other job-related information.
  • Ability to learn and understand lock out tag system, safety procedures, and environmental regulation.
  • Demonstrates verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to communicate verbally and written with all levels of plant personnel.
  • Physically able to negotiate inclines and stairs.
  • Physically able to operate valves requiring 50 fp torque and lift equipment weighing fifty (50) pounds.
  • Maintains safe working shoes, as determined by current policy.
  • Ability to effectively and efficiently utilize computers, including basic Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook (e-mail, calendaring), Word and Excel.

All full-time employees are considered critical in response to emergency situations and may be deemed essential as needed depending on the situation.

Employees in this position will be required to complete the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Certification Levels 100, 200, 700 and 800 within the first six months of employment. Certain positions may be required to attain additional ICS training as needed.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Lake Worth Beach and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Lake Worth Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with United States Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act, this organization provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Applicants for positions with the City of Lake Worth Beach should know and be aware of the following:

Applicants for employment who become candidates for available employment positions should note employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all reference checks and pre-employment physical satisfaction. Upon request, information on the nature and scope of an inquiry will be provided under FS 119.

Furthermore, some of the job classifications within the City of Lake Worth Beach workforce are covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements with a union. Consistent with Chapter 447 of the Florida Statutes, a bargaining unit employee has the right to join or not join the union. However, the Union is not obligated to represent a non-member.