5408 - Wastewater Treatment Plant Operating

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Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This standard covers nonsupervisory work involved in the operation of wastewater treatment facilities and plants to treat and dispose of waterborne domestic waste or industrial wastewater.

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
Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - 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) mostMost    
Very Small Water System Operator Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class I Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) mostMost    
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class II Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) mostMost    
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) mostMost    
Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class II Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class III Is Not In Demand Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) someSome    
Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class IV 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    

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 5408 - Wastewater Treatment Plant 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
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators mostMost   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Water/Wastewater Engineers someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Top
This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class I COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), Wastewater Treatment Analyst - Class I is an entry-level wastewater analyst certification. Candidates for Class I must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. 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 related to the analysis of wastewater.

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 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 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 Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class II COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class III COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class IV COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

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 - 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
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Water/Wastewater Engineers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Water/Wastewater Engineers