Wastewater Operator Green Card Jobs
Wastewater Operator jobs qualify for EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process, which requires employers to document recruitment efforts before filing an I-140 petition. Municipal utilities and water districts sponsor foreign operators when domestic hiring falls short, offering a direct path to permanent residency.
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Company Description
Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
Job Description
Position Purpose:
Operates and maintains wastewater treatment facility. Becoming a Wastewater Treatment Operator provides an employee with a career not just a job. Each wastewater job completed is a rung on the ladder to a profitable and fulfilling career. There is no limit to where you can go if you put the time and effort in.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control to decontaminate waste water by settling, aeration and sludge digestion.
- Monitors plant in person and at times remotely and control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow.
- Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned area.
- Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
- Ensures conformance to process specifications. Troubleshoot basic operational problems and take corrective action per procedure. Verifies and reports suspected malfunctions and variances to supervisor. Performs routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.
- Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes. Samples wastewater, sludge and gases (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
- Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder. Assists with delivery and offloading.
- Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required. Performs painting, light carpentry, and plumbing, landscaping, basic facility upkeep. Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
- Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
- Performs lab tests applicable to permit testing and reporting per procedures. Performs routine instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen.
- Assist with Data Entry and process compliance.
- May assist in other areas of plant as directed. May assist with orienting or training new or less experienced Operators.
Work Environment:
- Normal business hours are Monday through Friday daytime, but employee must be available 24/7 during emergencies.
- May be required to work weekends at times.
- May be required to be on call on off hours.
- The job atmosphere is normally laid back but ultimately Wastewater Operations is similar to that of any other first responder.
- The plant runs 24/7 and the operators are the ones who keep it open in calm times and in emergencies.
- Spends 75% of time in operations environment.
- May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicle to perform duties.
- Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work environment temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards and electrical equipment.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- High School Diploma/GED is required.
- Associate’s degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
- Experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of wastewater treatment is preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
- Must have the ability to perform basic math equations.
- Must have mechanical skillset.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.)
- Must consistently demonstrate the ability to operate assigned machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets under general supervision.
- Must demonstrate ability to efficiently operate equipment such as pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
- Must have the ability to troubleshoot process and mechanical problems in single or multiple unit processes, troubleshoot basic equipment and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in laboratory environment.
- Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for machine and process control.
- Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- The ability to receive a Grade 5 Massachusetts Wastewater license will be required within 1 year from hiring date.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
- Employee Orientation, Departmental Operating Procedures, Safety, OSHA and Quality Training.
- May perform more advanced functions as part of training and development.
Physical Requirements:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
- The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces.
- May be required to use ladders or stairs.
- The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.
Additional Information
Pay Range: $25.00 to $32.00 per hour.
Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Company Description
Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
Job Description
Position Purpose:
Operates and maintains wastewater treatment facility. Becoming a Wastewater Treatment Operator provides an employee with a career not just a job. Each wastewater job completed is a rung on the ladder to a profitable and fulfilling career. There is no limit to where you can go if you put the time and effort in.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control to decontaminate waste water by settling, aeration and sludge digestion.
- Monitors plant in person and at times remotely and control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow.
- Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned area.
- Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
- Ensures conformance to process specifications. Troubleshoot basic operational problems and take corrective action per procedure. Verifies and reports suspected malfunctions and variances to supervisor. Performs routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.
- Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes. Samples wastewater, sludge and gases (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
- Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder. Assists with delivery and offloading.
- Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required. Performs painting, light carpentry, and plumbing, landscaping, basic facility upkeep. Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
- Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
- Performs lab tests applicable to permit testing and reporting per procedures. Performs routine instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen.
- Assist with Data Entry and process compliance.
- May assist in other areas of plant as directed. May assist with orienting or training new or less experienced Operators.
Work Environment:
- Normal business hours are Monday through Friday daytime, but employee must be available 24/7 during emergencies.
- May be required to work weekends at times.
- May be required to be on call on off hours.
- The job atmosphere is normally laid back but ultimately Wastewater Operations is similar to that of any other first responder.
- The plant runs 24/7 and the operators are the ones who keep it open in calm times and in emergencies.
- Spends 75% of time in operations environment.
- May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicle to perform duties.
- Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work environment temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards and electrical equipment.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- High School Diploma/GED is required.
- Associate’s degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
- Experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of wastewater treatment is preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
- Must have the ability to perform basic math equations.
- Must have mechanical skillset.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.)
- Must consistently demonstrate the ability to operate assigned machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets under general supervision.
- Must demonstrate ability to efficiently operate equipment such as pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
- Must have the ability to troubleshoot process and mechanical problems in single or multiple unit processes, troubleshoot basic equipment and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in laboratory environment.
- Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for machine and process control.
- Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- The ability to receive a Grade 5 Massachusetts Wastewater license will be required within 1 year from hiring date.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
- Employee Orientation, Departmental Operating Procedures, Safety, OSHA and Quality Training.
- May perform more advanced functions as part of training and development.
Physical Requirements:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
- The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces.
- May be required to use ladders or stairs.
- The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.
Additional Information
Pay Range: $25.00 to $32.00 per hour.
Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
See all 63+ Wastewater Operator jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Wastewater Operator
Get your credentials evaluated before applying
PERM requires proof your foreign training meets U.S. licensing equivalency. Have your wastewater treatment certificates and technical diplomas evaluated by a NACES-member credential service before you target employers, so nothing stalls the labor certification filing.
Target municipal utilities with chronic staffing gaps
Public water and wastewater authorities in rural regions and mid-size cities frequently struggle to fill operator positions domestically. These agencies are legally permitted to sponsor foreign workers once they complete the PERM recruitment requirements and document their hiring efforts.
Understand your state licensing requirements upfront
Most states require a Class I, II, III, or IV operator license tied to plant size. Confirm which license your target employer needs before the PERM job description is drafted, since the advertised requirements directly shape your green card eligibility documentation.
Search sponsoring employers through Migrate Mate
Filter Migrate Mate by wastewater operator roles and EB-3 sponsorship history to find utilities and treatment facilities with active green card filings. This surfaces employers already familiar with the PERM process, cutting the time spent educating reluctant hiring managers.
Clarify who files the PERM before accepting an offer
Your employer files the PERM application with DOL on your behalf. Confirm during negotiations that their legal team or an immigration attorney will manage the labor certification, since processing through the PERM system typically runs six months or longer before the I-140 stage.
Check the OFLC Wage Search before salary discussions
DOL requires employers to pay at least the prevailing wage for your occupation and location. Review the OFLC Wage Search for your county and skill level so you can confirm any job offer meets the minimum before PERM is filed and wage underpayment becomes a compliance issue.
Wastewater Operator jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Wastewater Operator JobsWastewater Operator Green Card Sponsorship: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Wastewater Operator role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship?
Most Wastewater Operator positions qualify under EB-3 as skilled workers, since the role typically requires vocational training and state licensure rather than an advanced degree. EB-2 may apply if the employer defines the position as requiring a bachelor's degree in environmental science or engineering and the candidate holds one. The specific job description filed with PERM determines the category.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for this role?
Green card sponsorship through PERM leads to permanent residency, not a temporary work visa. Wastewater Operator roles are generally classified as skilled trades, which makes them ineligible for H-1B, a visa reserved for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher. EB-3 has no annual lottery, though per-country backlogs may extend wait times for applicants from high-demand countries.
How long does the PERM and green card process take for Wastewater Operators?
Expect the full process to take two to four years in typical cases. DOL PERM labor certification currently runs six to twelve months. After approval, the employer files an I-140 petition with USCIS, which adds several more months. Applicants from most countries can then file for adjustment of status relatively quickly, though nationals from China, India, and certain other countries face longer priority date backlogs.
Where can I find Wastewater Operator jobs that offer green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for Wastewater Operator positions where employers have a documented history of EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship. This saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the hiring process that an employer has never sponsored a foreign worker or is unwilling to navigate PERM requirements.
What documentation do I need to support my PERM application as a foreign operator?
You'll need proof of foreign educational credentials and any operator certifications, ideally evaluated by a recognized credential assessment service to show equivalency to U.S. standards. Your employer's immigration attorney will also document your work experience in detail to satisfy DOL's PERM requirements. State-specific operator licenses, if you already hold one, strengthen the application significantly.
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