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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

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

  • Clean production equipment.
  • Clean work areas.
  • Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
  • Direct operational or production activities.
  • Inspect production equipment.
  • Lubricate production equipment.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Repair production equipment or tools.
  • Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Utilitiesman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Assistant Public Works Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Auxiliary Equipment Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Cannon Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Engineer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Construction Engineering Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Conversion NEC UT Utilitiesman Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Damage Controlman (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Engineer Equipment Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Engineman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Infrastructure Systems Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Machinery Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Machinist's Mate (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Marine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Missile Facility Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Naval Engineering Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Petroleum Systems Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Plumber (Army - Enlisted)
  • Public Works Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Public Works Production Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Public Works Utilities Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Quartermaster and Chemical Equipment Repairer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Unit Supply Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Utilities Chief (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Utilities Officer (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Utilitiesman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Water Support Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Water Treatment and Plumbing Systems Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Water Treatment Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Clarifying-Plant Operator (Text)
  • Waste Treatment Operator
  • Wastewater-Treatmt - Plant Operator (Alternate Title: Water Treatment Specialist )
  • 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