Description
Operate and control wastewater treatment plant processes and equipment, using control systems to treat sewage, manage sludge, and ensure compliant effluent discharge.
- • Dose and adjust treatment chemicals to disinfect, coagulate, and control odors in wastewater.
- • Operate and tune pumps, blowers, valves, and SCADA controls for preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment and sludge handling.
- • Inspect equipment and monitor process conditions, meters, gauges, and SCADA alarms to detect malfunctions and loading changes.
- • Collect influent, process, and effluent samples and perform routine lab tests such as BOD, TSS, pH, and chlorine residual.
- • Record plant readings, lab results, chemical usage, work orders, and compliance data in logs and reports.
- • Maintain, repair, and lubricate pumps, screens, clarifiers, aerators, and related equipment using hand and power tools.
- • Direct and coordinate operators and maintenance staff during daily operations, shutdowns, and emergencies.
- • Clean and maintain headworks, grit systems, aeration basins, clarifiers, digesters, and work areas.
Related specializations
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Available on paid plans only
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Energy & Natural Resources
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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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
