Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
  • Learn a lucrative skill without accumulating any debt
  • Unlimited earning potential; beginning salaries average around $29,000. Increases with experience/education to averages of $60,000-$100,000
  • You will never be stuck in one department doing the same thing for the rest of your life; the unlimited opportunity to learn and grow
  • Use your love of technology to become an industry leader and a first implementer of innovative operating systems for water and wastewater management
  • Hands-on training that will prepare you for real on-the-job situations
  • Low cost of $150 per year paid by the employer
  • A tremendous sense of pride and community in a very tight-knit industry
  • Earn 4 college credits per year (8 credits total) to apply as a free elective to any major or to apply to the Applied Science major at Wilmington University
  • VETS: Use your Post 9/11-GI Bill Funding to pay for housing and books while you attend the program
What does the program entail?
  • A genuine commitment to learning the theory & practice of the chosen occupation
  • 4,000 hours (OJL) (credit will be given for hours already earned through employment)
  • 288 hours formal classroom training (credit will be given for those already with a base level water license or a Level I wastewater license
  • Classes are held at DRWA: One-6 hour class, once a week, for 24 weeks; running October through April (2 consecutive years)
  • Progressively increasing wage schedule
  • “Earn while you learn” approach – work for a local employer to complete your hours

Responsibilities

  • Supervise effective maintenance of all water purifying equipments in plant.
  • Ensure compliance to all Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
  • Train and supervise efficient working of staff, maintain and perform tests on various plant equipments.
  • Operate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition program effectively.
  • Monitor inventory and labor allotment with help of computerized maintenance and management system.
  • Monitor and interpret all charts and graphs for test results and monitor treatment process of all water plants according to quality standards.
  • Analyze reports and communicate poor quality results to officers.
  • Maintain and update accurate records for treatment process and prepare log deliveries for same.
  • Maintain and calibrate various electronic and mechanical equipments.
  • Prepare and documents all data for treatment facility for raw water and high service pump stations.
  • Monitor all operational issues and report any malfunctions.
  • Assist to install water treatment facility and analyze equipment requirements for chemical and biology laboratory.
  • Administer treatment plants and perform operational adjustments for various residual and hardness.
  • Maintain efficient use of pump and ensure appropriate lubrication for all machines and monitor water pressure.
  • Prepare and submit monthly reports for smooth functioning of plant operations.
  • Perform regular maintenance work on chemical feed systems and alarm signals on computer control system.

Skills

Operate and maintain treatment facilities
  • Water treatment refers to the process of improving water quality in a way that it becomes appropriate for a specific use. The uses maybe industrial water supply, irrigation, drinking, water recreation or river flow maintenance. The water treatment process usually removes contamination from an undesirable component, if not completely then at least partially.
CDL
  • Operate large equipment such as backhoes, excavators and CDL class vehicles.
Plant Equipment
  • Perform various tests and operating and maintain various plant equipment associated with Sewer Treatment plant and Water Wells.
Heavy Equipment
  • Operate heavy equipment daily as needed
Pump Stations
  • Check levels of wells, maintenance of blowers and compressors for waste water, and inspect lift stations.
Process Control
  • Developed standard operating procedures to train staff in safety, process control, emergency response and administrative policy.
Anyone who has any kind of technical skills or knowledge: maintenance, mechanics, HVAC technicians, heavy equipment operators, plumbers, and electricians.

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED
  • 18 years old with driver’s license
  • Background check (although we have career partners that can help with employment for those individuals with records)
  • Drug testing

Security Clearance Requirements

None

Eligibility to Work Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the job.

Required Documentation

High school diploma or GED
Driver’s license

Job Point of Contact

Joliene Ivory, jolienedrwa@gmail.com – Sponsor

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