Description
Operate and monitor pump stations to move water, wastewater, or other liquids safely and efficiently, maintaining specified flows, pressures, and storage levels. Use SCADA and onsite equipment to control pumps, valves, and auxiliary systems, ensure compliance, and respond to alarms and emergencies.
- • Monitor SCADA, gauges, and flowmeters to keep pressures, flows, and tank or wet well levels within setpoints; report and correct deviations.
- • Record operating data, totals pumped, run hours, chemical usage, and events in logs and reports.
- • Coordinate with the control center and field crews by radio or phone to start or stop pumps and open or close valves.
- • Inspect pumps, motors, valves, manifolds, and piping; check for vibration, temperature anomalies, leaks, and unusual noise.
- • Start, stop, and adjust pumps and VFDs; operate valves to regulate flow and pressure; respond to alarms and trips.
- • Plan and schedule pumping to meet demand, storage targets, and pressure zone requirements using knowledge of headers, interties, and capacities.
- • Follow operating schedules, SOPs, and verbal directives to determine pumping sequences, setpoints, and routing.
- • Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning strainers, lubricating equipment, tightening fittings, and replacing seals or packing.
- • Collect and deliver water or wastewater samples for laboratory analysis.
- • Align station piping and manifolds; connect temporary bypass hoses during maintenance as needed.
- • Operate auxiliary equipment such as chemical feed systems, generators, HVAC, heat exchangers, and water treatment skids.
- • Dose chemicals to meet water quality specifications and regulatory requirements.
- • Blend flows from multiple sources to achieve target water quality and pressure.
- • Perform field tests such as chlorine residual, pH, turbidity, or conductivity using portable instruments.
- • Apply safety procedures including lockout/tagout, confined space support, spill response, and good housekeeping.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Supply Chain & Transportation
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
