Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs in California
Wastewater Treatment Engineer jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in municipal utilities, water districts, and environmental consulting firms, with openings at every level from entry-level process engineer through senior project engineer and principal. The heaviest hiring is in the Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco Bay Area metros, where large employers like AECOM, Black & Veatch, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power maintain sustained operations. The most in-demand specialties include nutrient removal process design, recycled water facility engineering, and regulatory compliance under California's Title 22 water reuse standards. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Summary
Wastewater and Water Treatment Operator (Interviewing For An Open Position On The Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties Route)
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Candidate must have at least 2-years' experience as a wastewater treatment plant operator that includes experience working with Activated Sludge plants and SCADA controlled systems.
Responsibilities
- Perform all operational tasks at various wastewater treatment plants in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. This includes operating and monitoring the wastewater treatment plant process equipment, such as: pumps, motors, blowers, mixers, mechanical screens etc. to ensure that treated wastewater meets treatment objectives.
Required qualifications include High School Diploma or GED, at least 2-years' experience working as a wastewater operator, California driver's license with clean record, able to operate all wastewater treatment equipment, interpret field and analytical test results, effectively communicate and demonstrate mathematical competence, mechanical ability, problem solving and good communication skills.
Pay: $30.00 per hour
Expected hours: Estimated 45 hours per week
Competitive pay and benefits offered.
Position includes a Company vehicle, paid drive time, and lunch break.
Qualifications
- Required Certificate: California Grade II Wastewater Operator Certificate
- Required Certificates: T-2 and D-2 or Higher
- High School Diploma or GED
- California Driver's License
- Proven experience in wastewater treatment, water treatment, or a related field is preferred.
- Strong mechanical knowledge with the ability to operate heavy equipment safely.
About Water Quality Specialists:
Water Quality Specialists is a full-service, licensed contract operations company founded in 1992. Our services include operations and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants, reclaimed water systems, collection systems, water treatment plants, and small water systems. We also offer pumping services, plant management, plant startup, sampling services, plant analysis, and process advice. If you have a challenge with water treatment, complying with state regulations, or with system emergencies, our knowledgeable professionals can help. Water Quality Specialists is a company dedicated to customer service and satisfaction. We are available to our customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
All of our field staff are certified operators through the California Water Resources Control Board and the California Department of Public Health. Our certifications range from Grade I to Grade V and include wastewater treatment, collections, water treatment, distribution, cross-connection control specialist, and backflow prevention. We currently offer services in Amador County, Inyo County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, and Santa Barbara County.
In 2012, Water Quality Specialists partnered with Coombs Service Group, California general contractor #1014254, to increase the scope and quality of maintenance services offered to our customers. The new philosophy allowed the WQS operators to focus on permit compliance and CSG technicians to focus on electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation-related repairs under a true operations and maintenance contract. The partnership has been a success; in 2016 Water Quality Specialists was recognized as one of the 15 water management companies at the forefront of innovation. To follow up in 2020 WQS won the BUILD magazine contract operations firm of the year award.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $74,100.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
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Find JobsWastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Wastewater Treatment Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in wastewater treatment engineer jobs across California.
- Active California Professional Engineer license or eligibility to obtain one
- Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering from an accredited program
- Experience with wastewater treatment process design, operations, or facility planning
- Familiarity with California State Water Resources Control Board regulations and NPDES permitting
- Proficiency with engineering design software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or process modeling tools
- Strong written communication skills for technical reports and regulatory agency correspondence
Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a wastewater treatment engineer in California?
You need a bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, followed by licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. The path runs from the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to the Professional Engineer exam after gaining qualifying experience. Many California water agencies and consulting firms also value familiarity with State Water Resources Control Board permitting requirements, which you can build through junior engineering or associate engineer roles at municipal utilities.
How much do wastewater treatment engineers make in California?
Wastewater treatment engineers in California earn a median of about $122,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,980 for the lowest 10% to over $175,940 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire wastewater treatment engineers in California?
Employers hiring wastewater treatment engineers in California right now include Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Veolia, and AQUANIX, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's extensive network of municipal water agencies, regional sanitation districts, and environmental engineering consultancies means consistent hiring activity across both the public and private sectors.
Which California cities have the most wastewater treatment engineer jobs?
Colusa, Oxnard, and Monterey post the most wastewater treatment engineer openings in California, driven by the scale of their municipal utility systems, the concentration of environmental engineering consulting firms, and ongoing capital improvement programs at regional sanitation districts serving large metropolitan populations.
Are there remote wastewater treatment engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 64% of wastewater treatment engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles. The portions most likely to allow remote work are planning studies, hydraulic modeling, and report writing phases of larger infrastructure projects.
How can I get hired as a wastewater treatment engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate engineer or junior engineer role at a California municipal water or sanitation agency, where structured programs at employers like the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District bring in new graduates under supervising professional engineers. Internships with large environmental consulting firms are also a strong foothold. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before you graduate gives you a concrete credential that distinguishes you immediately in California applications.
Where can I find and apply to wastewater treatment engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to wastewater treatment engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 16 Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs in California
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