Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III
Credential: Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III
Credentialing Agency: Association of Boards of Certification (ABC)
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.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III
The following DOD Civilian Occupations provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:
The following Federal Occupations provide training and/or experience that contribute to attaining this credential:
| Federal Occupation | Related As | |
|---|---|---|
| 5402 Boiler Plant Operating |  Some |
|
| 5406 Utility Systems Operating | Some |
|
| 5408 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operating |  Most |
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience: 4 years
- Education: High School Diploma/GED
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: 2 years
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Association of Boards of Certification (ABC)
2805 SW Snyder Blvd, Suite 535
Ankeny, IA 50023
Phone: (515) 232-3623
Fax: (515) 965-6827
Email: abc@abccert.org
Education REQUIREMENTS
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
900 contact hours of post-high school education
Experience REQUIREMENTS
4 years of acceptable experience including 2 years of direct responsible charge
Education/Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS
Candidates who do not meet the requirements may still be eligible through ABC’s system that allows for substitution of education and experience. In addition, ABC offers an “in-training” certification to those candidates that do not yet meet ABC's education and experience requirements.
Written Exam
-
Equipment Operation, Evaluation, and Maintenance (25%)
- Adjust and calibrate gas meters, flow meters, and blower meters
- Calibrate and adjust pneumatic equipment systems
- Clean the collection system
- Operate related equipment
- Evaluate and maintain the operation of equipment
- Evaluate and maintain the operation of electrical equipment
- Inspect system utilizing dye testing, physical inspection, or smoke test
- Rehabilitate and repair collection system
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions of lift station
- Inspect the operation of equipment to determine malfunction
- Perform system inspections
- Perform preventative maintenance including repair, replacement, and installation of related equipment
- Operate related equipment and/or tools
-
Collection System Operation, Maintenance, and Restoration (25%)
- Clean and maintain tanks
- Collect and document data from charts, gauges and other instrumentation
- Excavate wastewater mains and lines
- Use high pressure hydraulics to clean wastewater mains and lines
- Inspect structures
- Interpret blueprints, GIS and sketches of system showing location and configuration of collection system components
- Lubricate engines and pumps
- Maintain all equipment in accordance with OEM specifications
- Maintain an inventory of chemicals and materials
- Monitor panel board and adjust controls to regulate flow rates
- Monitor CSO basin operations and functions and adjust as necessary
- Operate pumping equipment during emergency bypass operations
- Operate odor control devices and systems
- Perform maintenance and inspection
-
Lift Station Operation and Maintenance (15%)
- Ensure that electrical devices are functioning properly
- Ensure that electronic devices are functioning properly
- Ensure that other related devices are functioning properly
- Adjust equipment and increase or decrease pumping capacity for proper flow
- Perform calculations to ensure proper operations
- Calibrate and adjust variable frequency drive (VFD) systems
- Monitor panel board and adjust controls
- Operate related equipment and/or tools
-
Collection System Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adjustment (15%)
- Perform adjustments on the components of the collection system
- Analyze and adjust chemical feed devices that inject specified amounts of chemicals into sewer systems
- Analyze ongoing collection system operations for defects
- Assist lab technician in the collection of wastewater and perform field/laboratory tests and analyses
- Calibrate and adjust systems
- Check equalization basins and CSO structures
- Ensure accurate sampling of waste collection system according to standard methods
- Identify physical and/or abnormal characteristics of wastewater
- Inspect the installation of piping
- Operate electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow
- Repair and replace sewer lines and combined sewer lines
- Review automated information and control system data and revise settings as required
- Utilize wastewater analysis devices for chemical detection in collection systems
- Operate flow sensors
-
Security, Safety, and Administrative Procedures (20%)
- Analyze/estimate cost
- Analyze regulatory and/or compliance requirements
- Assign work crews to work areas
- Assist in the handling, delivery, and storage of chemicals
- Authorize equipment repairs
- Calculate cleaning and production rates
- Compile technical and statistical data and prepare comprehensive written reports
- Comply with all health and safety procedures and protocols
- Conduct safety inspections
- Configure traffic plans and set up signs for traffic control
- Coordinate wastewater program activities with other divisions and outside agencies, contractors, and developers
- Determine work schedules for closed circuit television (CCTV) crews
- Determine location of underground utilities
- Determine shift schedules and assign work crews to ensure continuity of operation
- Develop operating and capital budgets
- Develop preventive maintenance procedures
- Develop safety procedures
- Develop training programs
- Comply with safety standards and safety programs
- Ensure compliance of discharge limits are in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations
- Establish wastewater policies, procedures, and guidelines
- Assess training needs to upgrade operational skills
- Implement a QA/QC program to ensure that products and services received meet contractual requirements
- Inspect and analyze system logs records, gauges, meters, and other testing and measuring devices
- Investigate various customer issues
- Maintain knowledge of regulatory permit requirements
- Maintain effective working relationships with city officials, employees, public, and outside agencies
- Manage employee certification programs
- Maintain knowledge of cost accounting and budget procedures and practices
- Maintain records and file reportsMaintain records and file reports
- Maintain knowledge of current regulatory requirements
- Monitor status of customer work orders and assure customer responsiveness
- Monitor work and job site condition to ensure protection of workers, public pedestrian and vehicular traffic
- Perform administrative activities
- Perform safety procedures
- Plan for the execution of emergency plans
- Perform facility safety audits
- Prepare bid specifications
- Purchase replacement equipment
- Review/update employment policies and procedures
- Review employee reports regarding customer back up in home
- Train new operators
- Review easement and right-of-way issues/problems
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III examination:
RECERTIFICATION
Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class III
Renewal Period: 2 years
OTHER