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Senior Wastewater Operator
Facility ServicesYou've upgraded your certification to Class III or IV, which means you can operate larger, more complex treatment plants and supervise other operators. You run the advanced lab tests, troubleshoot the SCADA alarms that nobody else understands, and you're the person they call at 2 AM when the chlorine system fails. The pay reflects the responsibility — and the smell.
Salary Range
Low
$45k
Median
$60k
High
$78k
10-Year Growth
6%
US Workers
50K
Education
High school diploma + State Class III/IV wastewater operator license
Environment
outdoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Advanced water treatment processes
- ▸SCADA system troubleshooting & optimization
- ▸Laboratory analysis (BOD, TSS, ammonia, pH)
- ▸EPA discharge permit compliance
- ▸State Class III/IV certification
- ▸Pump & motor diagnostics
- ▸Process control adjustments
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Technical expertise
- ▸Mentoring ability
- ▸Attention to detail
- ▸Problem-solving
- ▸Reliability
- ▸Safety consciousness
- ▸Independence
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
SCADA system troubleshooting & optimization
What you'll actually do
- 01Operate and monitor advanced treatment processes — biological, chemical, and physical
- 02Perform lab analysis — BOD, TSS, pH, chlorine residual, ammonia nitrogen
- 03Troubleshoot SCADA system alarms and process upsets
- 04Mentor and train junior operators working toward their certifications
- 05Ensure plant discharge meets EPA and state permit requirements
- 06Respond to after-hours emergencies because sewage doesn't respect weekends
Related Shifts
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