*** Source: Trades Notebook for Skilled Trades Occupations in the Willamette Valley

Median Salary: $57,875/year

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators have the responsibility for operation and maintenance of treatment plants and distribution/collection systems. Treatment plant operators must have a working knowledge of plant operations, treatment equipment, chemistry, microbiology, mathematics, and computer applications.

Skills:

  • Water/Wastewater Treatment
  • Repair/Maintenance
  • Biology/Chemistry
  • Math
  • Computer/Technology

Job Titles:

  • Water Treatment Technician
  • Wastewater Plant Operator
  • Wastewater Technician
  • Water Resource Technician
  • Tank Technician

Primary Tasks:

  • Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
  • Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.
  • Inspect production equipment.
  • Lubricate production equipment.
  • Repair production equipment or tools.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Direct operational or production activities.

Wages & Jobs

Training

Training is available at Clackamas Community College in the Water, Environment, and Technology (WET) program. Their 2-year Associate’s Degree program provides training for operators, utility workers, environmental technicians, laboratory technicians, and other workers that make up the field of Public Works.

High School/College Courses:

  • Algebra I, II, Geometry, and Trigonometry
  • Science classes: Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science
  • Industrial Arts (Electronics – if available)
  • Computer Science Applications

Program:

Clackamas Community College’s Water and Environmental Technology, or WET program, prepares students for in-demand jobs in the water industry, including wastewater and backflow opportunities.

Clackamas Community College offers a one-year certificate and a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Water and Environmental Technology. The WET program also provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to take the state certification exams for wastewater treatment and collections, water treatment and distribution, backflow tester and cross-connection control specialist.

New skills you will learn in this program:

  • Successfully pass state level 1 certification exams for Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Collections
  • Understand the basics of both water and wastewater operations
  • Conduct laboratory analysis for wastewater and water-quality parameters

Learn more at www.clackamas.edu/academics/departments-programs/water-and-environmental-technology-aas

Contact:

19600 Molalla Ave.
Oregon City, Oregon 97045
www.clackamas.edu

To apply to CCC, visit: https://onlineapplication.clackamas.edu/

Links for more information: