5406 - Utility Systems Operating

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Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This standard covers nonsupervisory work concerned primarily with operating two or more utility systems such as boiler plants, air conditioning, wastewater treatment, water treatment, and natural gas distribution systems for large buildings or small complexes, on a continuing basis. Operators must be familiar with and have the abilities to adjust and regulate a variety of automatic or manually controlled auxiliary equipment to insure maximum operating efficiency of the systems.  This standard covers those jobs that entail operation of two or more utility systems, evaluated at the same grade level, when no single skill or knowledge of a single utility is predominant for recruitment, promotion, reduction-in-force, paysetting, and other personnel processes.

For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.

Other Federal Occupations

It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT OPERATION FAMILY, click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.

The following certifications have been identified as most relevant to the broad duties of this federal occupational series. Please note that these credentials may not reflect all of the unique job functions that you perform within your organization. Also these credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about any credential, click on the credential title below.

Compare Credential Agency Related As GI Bill® Accreditation ID
Water Treatment Operator - Class I Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class IV Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) - Water Supply/Wastewater Engineering Is Not In Demand American Academy of Environmental Engineering and Scientists someSome    
Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) Is Not In Demand Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) mostMost    
Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) Is Not In Demand Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) mostMost    
Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) Is Not In Demand United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) someSome    
Very Small Water System Operator Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Professional Is Not In Demand Building Performance Institute, Inc (BPI) someSome    
Certified Professional Supervisor (CPS) Is Not In Demand Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) mostMost    
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class I Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class II Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Water Treatment Operator Class II Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Water Treatment Operator Class III Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Water Treatment Operator Class IV Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class I Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class II Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class III Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class IV Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class I Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class II Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class IV Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class III Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Plant Maintenance Technologist Class I Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Plant Maintenance Technologist Class II Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Plant Maintenance Technologist Class III Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Electrical Code Specialist - E8 Is Not In Demand International Code Council (ICC) otherOther    
Fire Code Specialist - F8 Is Not In Demand International Code Council (ICC) otherOther    
Mechanical Code Specialist - M8 Is Not In Demand International Code Council (ICC) otherOther    
Plumbing Code Specialist - P8 Is Not In Demand International Code Council (ICC) otherOther    
Energy Code Specialist - G8 Is Not In Demand International Code Council (ICC) otherOther    

State Licenses

Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Related Civilian Private Sector Occupations

The following civilian private sector occupations are similar to the duties performed by 5406 - Utility Systems Operating. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below.

Civilian Job Duties Matched Bright Outlook Registered Apprenticeship Local Salary Info
Biomass Plant Technicians someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Chemical Plant and System Operators someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Gas Plant Operators someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
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This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to Water Treatment Operator - Class I COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Water Treatment Operator - Class I is the entry-level water treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class I must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and one year of relevant work experience. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible through ABC's system that allows for substitution of education and experience. Candidates must also pass an examination, which evaluates an operator's knowledge of tasks related to water treatment practices. To pass an ABC exam, an operator must demonstrate knowledge of the core competencies. The specifications for the different levels of exams are based on a weighting of the job analysis results so that they reflect the criticality of tasks performed on the job. ABC certifications are renewed every two years; often certified individuals seek advanced levels of credentialing as additional experience is gained. See the agency's website for more information.

Click here to go to Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class IV COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class IV is an advanced career-level biological wastewater treatment operator certification offered by ABC. Candidates for Class IV must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, plus 1,800 contact hours of post-high school education, and 4 years of acceptable experience including 2 years of direct responsible charge experience. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible through ABC's system that allows for substitution of education and experience. Candidates must also pass an examination, which evaluates an operator's knowledge of tasks related to the operation of wastewater treatment plants. The specifications for the different levels of exams are based on a weighting of the job analysis results so that they reflect the criticality of tasks performed on the job.

Click here to go to Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) - Water Supply/Wastewater Engineering COOL Snapshot page.

Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) - Water Supply/Wastewater Engineering. This specialty credential is for experienced environmental engineers. Candidates must possess, at minimum, a degree in environmental engineering (or any other engineering field acceptable to the Board of Trustees), a professional engineer's license, and at least 8 years of demonstrated environmental engineering and/or teaching experience following receipt of an engineering degree (four of which are in responsible charge). Candidates must be persons of good moral character and of high ethical integrity and professional standing, as determined by the Academy's Board of Trustees, and must also be professionally engaged in environmental engineering activities on a full time basis. Candidates must also pass a written examination, and oral examination. The hour-long oral examination, one part professional practice issues and two parts technical specialty problems, is used to determine a candidate's ethical concepts, maturity, presence of mind, engineering judgment, and ability to apply engineering principles and concepts which cannot be easily measured by written examinations. This certification must be renewed annually, with a prescribed amount of professional education.

Click here to go to Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) COOL Snapshot page.

Certified Plant Engineer (CPE). A CPE possesses the professional expertise and knowledge required to successfully perform plant and facilities supervisor activities. Candidates must at minimum have six years of experience in management in plant/facility engineering, or eight years of experience in the field overall. Education and experience as a registered professional engineer can be substituted for years of experience. Candidates must also pass a multiple-choice examination. The examination covers the topics of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, economics/management, environmental engineering, maintenance, OSHA, energy, controls and instrumentation, and HVAC. This credential must be renewed every three years, by earning at least eight recertification credits every three years.

Click here to go to Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) COOL Snapshot page.

The Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) posesses the professional expertise and knowledge required to successfully perform plant and facilities supervisory activities. Candidates must have a minimum of two years of experience in maintenance management. Candidates must also pass a written examination. Recertification occurs through earning at least five recertification credits every three years.

Click here to go to Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) COOL Snapshot page.

Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR). This is a mid-level certification/License. NRC licenses all individuals who either operate or supervise the operation of the controls of a commercially owned nuclear power reactor or a test/research (i.e., non-power) reactor in the United States. Although the regulations in this area generally apply to power, research and test reactors, this site focuses primarily on the operator licensing activities at power reactor facilities.

Click here to go to Very Small Water System Operator COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Very Small Water System Operator must have knowledge how to operate equipment and system, water quality parameters and sampling, how to install, maintain and evaluate equipment, perform safety duties and administrative and compliance duties. Candidates must have a high school diploma, and six months of operator experience. Candidates must also pass an examination, which is multiple choice and evaluates an operator's knowledge of tasks related to the operation of small water systems.

Click here to go to Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Professional COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Professional certification is intended for those individuals who optimize the installation, operation and maintenance, as well as, measure and verify the performance of refrigerant based mechanical systems, either heating or cooling type, and address their interaction with other building systems, from a building science perspective. BPI strongly recommends that a candidate seek training and have some experience in the building performance industry before attempting any BPI certification designations. There are no training, education, or experience requirements to sit for the exams. Candidates must pass a written exam and a field exam.

Click here to go to Certified Professional Supervisor (CPS) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class I COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class I is the entry-level wastewater treatment operator certification offered by ABC. Candidates for Class I must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible through ABC's system that allows for substitution of education and experience. Candidates must also pass an examination, which evaluates an an operator's knowledge of tasks related to the operation of wastewater treatment plants. The specifications for the different levels of exams are based on a weighting of the job analysis results so that they reflect the criticality of tasks performed on the job.

Click here to go to Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class II COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class II is an intermediate-level wastewater treatment operator certification offered by ABC. Candidates for Class II must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and 3 years of acceptable experience. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible through ABC's system that allows for substitution of education and experience. Candidates must also pass an examination, which evaluates an operator's knowledge of tasks related to the operation of wastewater treatment plants. The specifications for the different levels of exams are based on a weighting of the job analysis results so that they reflect the criticality of tasks performed on the job.

Click here to go to Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III is a mid-career level biological wastewater treatment operator certification offered by ABC. Candidates for Class III must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, 900 contact hours of post-high school education, and 4 years of acceptable experience including 2 years of direct responsible charge. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible through ABC's system that allows for substitution of education and experience. Candidates must also pass an examination, which evaluates an operator's knowledge of tasks related to the operation of wastewater treatment plants. The specifications for the different levels of exams are based on a weighting of the job analysis results so that they reflect the criticality of tasks performed on the job.

Click here to go to Water Treatment Operator Class II COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Water Treatment Operator Class II is for operators in water treatment with knowledge and skills in the areas of treatment process, laboratory analysis, equipment operation and maintenance, source water characteristics, security, safety, compliance, and administrative procedures. Water Treatment Operator Class II candidates must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and three years of acceptable experience. Candidates must also pass a written exam. Candidates who are currently certified by another certification program and have taken and passed their certification exam with a score of 70 or above may qualify for certification through reciprocity.

Click here to go to Water Treatment Operator Class III COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC),Water Treatment Operator Class III is for operators in water treatment with knowledge and skills in the areas of treatment process, laboratory analysis, equipment operation and maintenance, source water characteristics, security, safety, compliance, and administrative procedures. Water Treatment Operator Class III candidates must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, 900 contact hours of post high school education, and four years of acceptable experience that includes two years of direct responsible charge. Candidates must also pass a written exam. Candidates who are currently certified by another certification program and have taken and passed their certification exam with a score of 70 or above may qualify for certification through reciprocity.

Click here to go to Water Treatment Operator Class IV COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Water Treatment Operator Class IV is for operators in water treatment with knowledge and skills in the areas of treatment process, laboratory analysis, equipment operation and maintenance, source water characteristics, security, safety, compliance, and administrative procedures. Water Treatment Operator Class IV candidates must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, 1,800 contact hours of post high school education, and four years of acceptable experience that includes two years of direct responsible charge. Candidates must also pass a written exam. Candidates who are currently certified by another certification program and have taken and passed their certification exam with a score of 70 or above may qualify for certification through reciprocity.

Click here to go to Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class I COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class I is an entry-level biological wastewater treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class I must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and one year of relevant work experience. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible based on experience and other criteria. Candidates must also pass an examination, demonstrating knowledge of core competencies for biological industrial waste operators.

Click here to go to Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class II COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class II is an intermediate-level biological wastewater treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class II must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and 3 years of relevant work experience. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible based on experience and other criteria. Candidates must also pass an examination, demonstrating knowledge of core competencies for biological industrial waste operators.

Click here to go to Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class III COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class III is a mid-career level biological wastewater treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class III must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, 900 contact hours of post-high school education, and 4 years of relevant work experience including 2 years of direct responsible charge. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible based on experience and other criteria. Candidates must also pass an examination, demonstrating knowledge of core competencies for biological industrial waste operators.

Click here to go to Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class IV COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Biological Industrial Waste Operator - Class IV is an advanced career-level biological wastewater treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class IV are required to have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, plus 1,800 contact hours of post-high school education, and 4 years of acceptable experience including 2 years of direct-responsible charge experience. Candidates must also pass an examination, demonstrating knowledge of core competencies for biological waste operators.

Click here to go to Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class I COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class I is the entry-level physical/chemical wastewater treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class I must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and one year of relevant work experience. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible based on experience and other criteria. Candidates must also pass an examination, demonstrating knowledge of core competencies for physical/chemical industrial waste operators.

Click here to go to Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class II COOL Snapshot page.

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class II is an early-mid career-level industrial wastewater treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class II are required to have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and 3 years of related work experience. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible based on experience and other criteria. Candidates must also pass an examination, demonstrating knowledge of core competencies for physical/chemical industrial waste operators.

Click here to go to Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class IV COOL Snapshot page.

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class IV is an advanced career-level industrial wastewater treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class IV are required to have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, plus 1,800 contact hours of post-high school education, and 4 years of acceptable experience including 2 years of direct-responsible charge experience. Candidates must also pass an examination, demonstrating knowledge of core competencies for physical/chemical industrial wastewater operators.

Click here to go to Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class III COOL Snapshot page.

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class III is an intermediate career-level industrial wastewater treatment operator certification. Candidates for Class III are required to have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, 900 contact hours of post-high school education, and 4 years of relevant work experience including 2 years of direct-responsible charge. Individuals who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible based on experience and other criteria. Candidates must also pass an examination, demonstrating knowledge of core competencies for physical/chemical industrial waste operators.

Click here to go to Plant Maintenance Technologist Class I COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Plant Maintenance Technologist Class I is for water and wastewater plant maintenance technologists with knowledge and skills in lubricating, performing readings, conducting rounds, and performing routine preventive maintenance. Plant Maintenance Technologist Class I candidates must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and one year of acceptable maintenance experience in a water or wastewater system. Candidates must pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Plant Maintenance Technologist Class II COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Plant Maintenance Technologist Class II is for water and wastewater plant maintenance technologists with knowledge and skills in tearing down equipment, performing repairs, installing, and reinstalling. Plant Maintenance Technologist Class II candidates must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and three years of acceptable maintenance experience in a water or wastewater system with a minimum of two years performing Class II duties. Candidates must pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Plant Maintenance Technologist Class III COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Plant Maintenance Technologist Class III is for water and wastewater plant maintenance technologists with knowledge and skills in inspecting and managing Class I and II duties and analyzing and performing predictive maintenance. Plant Maintenance Technologist Class III candidates must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and five years of acceptable maintenance experience in a water or wastewater system with a minimum of two years performing Class III duties. Candidates must pass a written exam.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here to go to the GI Bill site.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Biomass Plant Technicians
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Biomass Plant Technicians
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Chemical Plant and System Operators
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Chemical Plant and System Operators
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Gas Plant Operators
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Gas Plant Operators
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators