What they do
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
|
|
Also called: |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wages
|
Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 21.50 |
$44,720 |
25% |
$ 23.53 |
$48,940 |
Median |
$ 27.68 |
$57,580 |
75% |
$ 31.07 |
$64,620 |
90% |
$ 34.86 |
$72,520 |
|
Average |
$ 27.74 |
$57,710 |
|
More at CareerOneStop |
|
| |
Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 74% |
| 13% |
- Waste management and remediation services
| 2% |
| 2% |
| 1% |
More at BLS |
|
|
|
Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
|
- Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
|
- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
|
- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
|
- Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
|
- Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
|
- Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
|
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
|
- Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
|
- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
|
What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
|
|
|
Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
|
- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
|
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
|
- Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
|
- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
|
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
|
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
|
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
|
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Related Occupations
|
|
|
|
Career Video
|
|
Projected Employment
|
Vermont |
2020 employment |
335 |
2030 employment |
347 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.4% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
32 |
More at Occupational Projections |
|
| |
Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
|
- Work experience in a related occupation
None
|
- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Long-term on-the-job training
|
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
|
|
|
Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Important
|
- Level of activity is Moderate
|
|
|
Low | | High |
|
|
|
Compare Occupations at O*NET |
|
|
|
Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require
over 1 year up to and including 2 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
|
Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
|
|
|
Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 1% |
Associate's degree | | 13% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 45% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 42% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Licensing
Vermont may require an occupational license: |
|
|
Select a license for details |
|
|
|
Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
|
- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
|
- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
|
- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
|
- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
|
- Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
|
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
|
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
|
- Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.
|
- Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
|
- Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
|
- Record operational or production data.
|
- Inspect production equipment.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Other Resources
|
- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
|
- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|