Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator jobs are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities should be excellent for qualified workers.
Employment of water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators is expected to grow by 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. A growing population and the increasingly suburban geography of the United States are expected to boost demand for water and wastewater-treatment services. As new plants are constructed to meet this demand, new water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator jobs will arise.
Local governments are the largest employers of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators. Employment in privately owned facilities will grow faster, because Federal certification requirements have increased utilities' reliance on private firms specializing in the operation and management of water- and wastewater-treatment facilities.
Job opportunities should be excellent, both because of the expected much faster than average employment growth and because the retirement of the baby-boomer generation will require that many operators be replaced. Further, the number of applicants for these jobs is normally low, primarily because of the physically demanding and unappealing nature of some of the work. Opportunities should be best for people with mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators held about 113,400 jobs in 2008. About 78 percent of all operators worked for local governments. Others worked primarily for water, sewage, and other systems utilities and for waste treatment and disposal and waste management services. Jobs were located throughout the country.
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation
Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have gone through an apprenticeship program or several years of vocational training to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training, including both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Examples
Dental assistants, electricians, fish and game wardens, legal secretaries, personnel recruiters and recreational workers.
These occupations often involve using communication and organization skills to manage and train others.
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For information on employment opportunities, contact State or local water pollution control agencies, State water and liquid waste operator associations, State environmental training centers, or local offices of the State employment service.
For information on certification, contact:
- Association of Boards of Certification, 208 Fifth St., Suite 201, Ames, IA 50010-6259. Internet: http://www.abccert.org
For educational information related to a career as a water or liquid waste treatment plant and system operator, contact:
- American Water Works Association, 6666 West Quincy Ave., Denver, CO 80235. Internet: http://www.awwa.org
- National Rural Water Association, 2915 S. 13th St., Duncan, OK 73533. Internet: http://www.nrwa.org
- Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1994. Internet: http://www.wef.org
Sources: O*Net data version 12.0
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Department of Labor
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