H-1B Visa Wastewater Operator Jobs
Wastewater Operator roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related field. Municipal utilities, private water management firms, and engineering contractors have active LCA filing histories for this occupation. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified H-1B visa sponsorship activity.
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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:
The O&T maintains water/wastewater treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in water/ wastewater treatment facilities to purify water to meet permit and operational requirements.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges.
- Collect and test water and sewage samples.
- Record meter and gauge readings and operational data.
- Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of waste.
- Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas.
- Inspect all equipment on a regular basis.
- Follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
- Ensure safety standards are met.
Work Environment:
- Spends 100% of the 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 or GED with the ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
- Associate's degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
- Two to five years of experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Must have the ability to perform basic math equations.
- 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, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses, and measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
- Must have the ability to diagnose process and mechanical problems in single or multiple unit processes, troubleshoot basic equipment and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
- Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
- Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
- Must be able to respond to emergency calls as needed and work extended hours to accommodate site needs.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- Typically holds or is working toward an intermediate level water and/or wastewater treatment certificate. (Requires minimum water/wastewater license as required by regulatory agencies at the site).
- Must possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record.
- Operators Grade I, II, III
Physical Requirements:
- Amount of time spent – Standing 25%, Walking 75% for as many as five miles per shift.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to 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: $40.00 to $48.00 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:
The O&T maintains water/wastewater treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in water/ wastewater treatment facilities to purify water to meet permit and operational requirements.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges.
- Collect and test water and sewage samples.
- Record meter and gauge readings and operational data.
- Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of waste.
- Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas.
- Inspect all equipment on a regular basis.
- Follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
- Ensure safety standards are met.
Work Environment:
- Spends 100% of the 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 or GED with the ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
- Associate's degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
- Two to five years of experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Must have the ability to perform basic math equations.
- 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, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses, and measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
- Must have the ability to diagnose process and mechanical problems in single or multiple unit processes, troubleshoot basic equipment and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
- Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
- Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
- Must be able to respond to emergency calls as needed and work extended hours to accommodate site needs.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- Typically holds or is working toward an intermediate level water and/or wastewater treatment certificate. (Requires minimum water/wastewater license as required by regulatory agencies at the site).
- Must possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record.
- Operators Grade I, II, III
Physical Requirements:
- Amount of time spent – Standing 25%, Walking 75% for as many as five miles per shift.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to 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: $40.00 to $48.00 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 142+ H-1B Visa Wastewater Operator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Wastewater Operator
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and the Wastewater Operator role. Environmental engineering, civil engineering, and environmental science degrees typically qualify. A general science degree without coursework in water systems treatment may trigger an RFE.
Cross-reference O*NET before applying
Pull the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator profile on O*NET to confirm the role's education and knowledge requirements. Employers use this data when drafting job descriptions that support specialty occupation classification in the LCA and I-129 petition.
Target employers with certified LCA history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Wastewater Operator postings by employers who have filed and received certified Labor Condition Applications for this occupation code. Prior LCA certification signals the employer understands the H-1B filing process for this specific role.
Ask about prevailing wage tier at offer stage
Before signing an offer, confirm which DOL prevailing wage level the employer intends to certify. The OFLC Wage Search shows Level I through Level IV rates by location and occupation. Level I wages are sometimes used for entry roles but can complicate future H-1B extensions.
Confirm the employer is enrolled in E-Verify
H-1B employers are legally required to participate in E-Verify. Ask your prospective employer directly during the offer process. If they're unfamiliar with E-Verify enrollment, that's a strong signal they haven't sponsored H-1B workers before and may not understand the full filing obligations.
File premium processing if your start date is fixed
Wastewater Operator roles tied to specific municipal project timelines can't accommodate months of standard I-129 processing. USCIS premium processing guarantees a 15-business-day adjudication decision, which protects your start date and gives the employer certainty before mobilizing onboarding resources.
H-1B Visa Wastewater Operator: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Wastewater Operator role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the employer structures the position. USCIS requires the role to normally require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Wastewater Operator positions at engineering firms and larger utilities are often written to require environmental or civil engineering degrees, which supports specialty occupation status. Roles at small municipal facilities that list a degree as preferred rather than required may not qualify.
How do I find employers who have actually sponsored H-1B visas for Wastewater Operator roles?
Migrate Mate filters job listings by verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you can see which employers have gone through the H-1B process for this specific occupation rather than guessing based on company size. Searching there lets you focus your applications on employers who already understand the filing requirements for environmental and water treatment roles.
What state licenses or certifications affect H-1B eligibility for this role?
State wastewater operator certifications are regulated separately from the H-1B and don't directly affect USCIS petition approval. You can begin on H-1B status while pursuing state licensure. Practically, employers may require you to obtain the relevant Class or Grade certification within a defined period after hire, so clarify that timeline before accepting an offer.
Can a municipal government employer sponsor an H-1B for a Wastewater Operator?
Yes. Government agencies are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning their petitions don't count against the annual 85,000-cap and can be filed at any time of year, not just during the April registration window. This is a meaningful advantage for candidates applying to city or county water treatment facilities, which often have more predictable hiring timelines than private employers.
What happens to my H-1B status if my employer loses a municipal contract?
If your employment ends, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you can change employers or transfer your H-1B to a new sponsor via an H-1B portability transfer. The new employer must file an I-129 petition before the grace period expires. Wastewater and environmental engineering contractors sometimes lose contracts mid-project, so it's worth confirming whether your offer is tied to a specific contract's duration.