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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators - 51-8031.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Operator
  • Water Treatment Plant Operator
  • Wastewater Operator
  • Waste Water Operator
  • Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP Operator)
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
  • Water Operator
  • Water Plant Operator
  • Process Operator
  • SCADA Operator (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Operator)

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000 Production Occupations
51-8000 Plant and System Operators
51-8030 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
51-8031.00 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Add chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
  • Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas using hand tools and power tools.
  • Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
  • Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
  • Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
  • Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
  • Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.

Detailed Work Activities

  • adjust production equipment/machinery setup
  • clean equipment or machinery
  • collect samples for testing
  • control operation of compressors
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
  • install water or sewer treatment plant equipment
  • load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
  • maintain consistent production quality
  • maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
  • maintain production or work records
  • monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
  • operate chemical processing equipment
  • operate power driven pumps
  • operate power generation equipment
  • operate water treatment equipment
  • test materials or solutions
  • use hand or power tools
  • use laboratory equipment
  • use pipe fitting equipment
  • use precision measuring tools or equipment

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Utilitiesman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Utilitiesman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Utilitiesman Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water Support Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Water Treatment and Plumbing Systems Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Water Treatment Specialist (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Clarifying-Plant Operator
  • Waste-Treatment Operator
  • Wastewater-Treatment-Plant Operator
  • Water-Treatment-Plant Operator

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Clarifying-Plant Operator
  • Pump-Station Operator, Waterworks
  • Waste-Treatment Operator
  • Wastewater-Treatment-Plant Operator
  • Water-Treatment-Plant Operator