Information for Those Seeking a Water Quality or Wastewater Career

There are a number of different jobs in the water quality or wastewater fields including:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
Collection System Maintenance Technicians
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Laboratory Analysts
Industrial Pretreatment Plant Operators

For information about qualifications for these jobs you should check job announcements and certification requirements.

Certification

A number of wastewater jobs require you to be certified. To become certified you must meet certain qualifications and pass a written test that tests technical knowledge in the field. Washington, Oregon, and Idaho each have their own certification program and requirements.

Many employers require certification for certain jobs. Other employers may give require an individual become certified within a certain time frame. If you are considering a career in the wastewater field, you should check job announcements and job descriptions to see which certifications, if any, are appropriate.

Learn more about the benefits of certification

► Idaho certification program
► Oregon certification program
► Washington certification program

General  Information About Operator Careers

► College Board Info on Wastewater Operator Careers
► Occupational Outlook Handbook for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators (US Dept. of Labor)
 
Water Environment and American Water Works Association Career Resources:

Check out ► Work for Water, a jobs clearinghouse launched in summer 2010 to help students become engaged in water environment and public safety careers.

► Meet Operators in your area - Local Operators Section Contacts are ► here