Chief Operator Jobs
Chief operator jobs are open across energy, manufacturing, water treatment, and chemical processing, covering specializations in plant operations, process control, and utilities management, from entry-level operator to senior and lead roles. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Description
Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervises multiple shifts for the 24-hour facility operation
- Trains employees in procedures and methods
- Makes regular inspections of equipment and facility
- Assists Chief Operator with the development of operating policies and procedures
- Maintains operational data logs, inventories, equipment data, etc; other related duties may also be assigned
Requirements
Education and/or Experience: Any combination of education or experience equivalent to an associate degree in a related field is required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Possession of a valid and appropriate driver’s license. Possession of a valid Class 1 Wastewater Works Operator Licenses from the State of Virginia, Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation or equivalent.
Job Posting Statement
The City of Winchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other classification protected by law.
Description
Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervises multiple shifts for the 24-hour facility operation
- Trains employees in procedures and methods
- Makes regular inspections of equipment and facility
- Assists Chief Operator with the development of operating policies and procedures
- Maintains operational data logs, inventories, equipment data, etc; other related duties may also be assigned
Requirements
Education and/or Experience: Any combination of education or experience equivalent to an associate degree in a related field is required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Possession of a valid and appropriate driver’s license. Possession of a valid Class 1 Wastewater Works Operator Licenses from the State of Virginia, Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation or equivalent.
Job Posting Statement
The City of Winchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other classification protected by law.
Chief Operator Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief operator jobs.
- High school diploma or GED with equivalent hands-on plant operations experience
- Experience operating distributed control systems or SCADA platforms in an industrial setting
- Valid state-issued water, wastewater, or industrial operator license depending on sector
- Knowledge of lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and OSHA process safety standards
- Ability to lead a shift crew and communicate clearly during normal and emergency operations
- Physical ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Tips for Your Chief Operator Job Search
Tailor your resume to control systems
List the specific distributed control systems and SCADA platforms you've operated by name. Chief operator postings screen heavily on this, and a generic 'process control experience' line won't get past an initial review.
Get your OSHA and licensing credentials current
Many chief operator roles require a state-issued operator license, a TWIC card, or specific OSHA certifications before you can start. Confirm which credentials a posting requires and note your current status directly on your resume.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists chief operator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight shift leadership and crew accountability
Chief operator roles carry direct responsibility for shift crews and production targets. Describe situations where you managed personnel, coordinated shift handoffs, or made time-sensitive decisions during abnormal operations.
Prepare for scenario-based technical interviews
Interviewers typically walk you through an equipment failure or process upset and ask how you'd respond. Practice talking through your decision logic step by step, referencing the procedures and communication chains you'd actually use.
Negotiate shift differentials and certification reimbursement
Chief operator compensation often includes shift premiums and tuition or testing reimbursement for required licenses. Ask about these line items separately during your offer conversation, not just the base rate.
Chief Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most chief operators?
The companies hiring the most chief operators right now include Veolia, Single Grain, and City of Beacon, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Utilities, municipal water authorities, and chemical manufacturers consistently post the highest volumes.
How many chief operator jobs are remote?
About 20% of chief operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most plant and facility roles. Administrative or oversight positions tied to multi-site coordination are the most likely to offer any remote flexibility.
How do you become a chief operator?
Start by working as a licensed operator in water treatment, wastewater, energy, or chemical processing to build hands-on experience with control systems and shift procedures. Advance your state operator license to the required grade for supervisory roles, complete any sector-specific safety training, and move into lead or relief operator positions before applying to chief operator openings.
Can you get a chief operator job with little experience?
Some entry-level pathways exist through apprenticeships, vocational programs, or operator trainee roles that lead directly to a chief operator track. Employers in water and wastewater are especially likely to hire trainee operators and sponsor them through licensing, so targeting those sectors and being transparent about your current license grade improves your chances significantly.
What does the chief operator interview process look like?
Most chief operator interviews include an initial screening with HR, followed by a technical panel with plant managers or senior operators who present equipment scenarios or process upsets for you to walk through. Some employers add a facility tour or a written operations exam. Safety knowledge, decision-making under pressure, and shift leadership experience are consistently the focus across all stages.
Where can I find and apply to chief operator jobs?
You can find and apply to chief operator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your license grade, sector experience, and location, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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