Entry Level Wastewater Treatment Operator Jobs
New grad wastewater treatment operator jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where hands-on internship work or vocational training can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Manufacturing, Energy, and Government & Public Sector, with employers like US Water Services Corporation, GHD, and Inframark hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 7+ Entry Level Wastewater Treatment Operator jobs
Your Job
Georgia Pacific is hiring a Wastewater Treatment Operator for our Perdue Hill, AL (ARC) facility. The Wastewater Treatment Operator position creates value by working with the Environmental team in achieving goals/improvement of key factor results (safety, environmental compliance and controls, asset strategy improvement, housekeeping, and reliability) which allows for a smooth and successful operation.
This position pays $25.34 per hour.
The Wastewater Treatment Operator will work twelve hour rotating shifts and required overtime as needed, which may include weekends and holidays. The rotation is 4 days, 7 off, 4 nights, 3 off, 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights, and 3 off (5:00 am to 5:00 pm days and 5:00 pm to 5:00 am nights).
Our Team
Alabama River Cellulose (ARC) mill has been a major part of the economic lifeblood of the region. Recognized as one of the largest pulp operations in North America, the mill is also considered the largest manufacturer in Monroe County and one of the largest employers in the area. ARC, part of Georgia-Pacific's Cellulose group.
What You Will Do
- Must be able to learn the startup, shut down, and steady state operation of the Landfill Leachate System, Water Treatment Plant, and Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Able to use 4site and LOTO programs
- Identify equipment performance issues and coordinate necessary maintenance activities
- Attend and complete mandatory training for sampling/testing compliance activities to back up control room operator (BOD, COD, TSS, pH, etc.)
- Learn and understand the requirements as specified in the facility NPDES discharge permit
- Understand the RIM Management process
- Strong analytical skills to make quick decisions that could stabilize the plant during upset conditions
- Monitor process variables and maintain efficient and compliant operations
- Maintains strict adherence to safety rules & regulations to include wearing required safety equipment
- Communicate with other crew members to identify gaps, and help develop strategies to address
- Maintain cleanliness in designated work area
- Be self-motivated and able to work alone
- Economic thinker, analytical, resourceful, and problem solver
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- Required to attend and complete mandatory and ongoing trainings
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- High School diploma or GED
- Able to accurately and safely use equipment including measuring equipment and basic hand tools
- Experience with Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel for data entry and document creation
- Be able to work from a boat and to obtain a boating license to perform river surveys
What Will Put You Ahead
- Two years prior experience working with wastewater processes
- Two years of experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquÃ, or tu).
Your Job
Georgia Pacific is hiring a Wastewater Treatment Operator for our Perdue Hill, AL (ARC) facility. The Wastewater Treatment Operator position creates value by working with the Environmental team in achieving goals/improvement of key factor results (safety, environmental compliance and controls, asset strategy improvement, housekeeping, and reliability) which allows for a smooth and successful operation.
This position pays $25.34 per hour.
The Wastewater Treatment Operator will work twelve hour rotating shifts and required overtime as needed, which may include weekends and holidays. The rotation is 4 days, 7 off, 4 nights, 3 off, 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights, and 3 off (5:00 am to 5:00 pm days and 5:00 pm to 5:00 am nights).
Our Team
Alabama River Cellulose (ARC) mill has been a major part of the economic lifeblood of the region. Recognized as one of the largest pulp operations in North America, the mill is also considered the largest manufacturer in Monroe County and one of the largest employers in the area. ARC, part of Georgia-Pacific's Cellulose group.
What You Will Do
- Must be able to learn the startup, shut down, and steady state operation of the Landfill Leachate System, Water Treatment Plant, and Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Able to use 4site and LOTO programs
- Identify equipment performance issues and coordinate necessary maintenance activities
- Attend and complete mandatory training for sampling/testing compliance activities to back up control room operator (BOD, COD, TSS, pH, etc.)
- Learn and understand the requirements as specified in the facility NPDES discharge permit
- Understand the RIM Management process
- Strong analytical skills to make quick decisions that could stabilize the plant during upset conditions
- Monitor process variables and maintain efficient and compliant operations
- Maintains strict adherence to safety rules & regulations to include wearing required safety equipment
- Communicate with other crew members to identify gaps, and help develop strategies to address
- Maintain cleanliness in designated work area
- Be self-motivated and able to work alone
- Economic thinker, analytical, resourceful, and problem solver
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- Required to attend and complete mandatory and ongoing trainings
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- High School diploma or GED
- Able to accurately and safely use equipment including measuring equipment and basic hand tools
- Experience with Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel for data entry and document creation
- Be able to work from a boat and to obtain a boating license to perform river surveys
What Will Put You Ahead
- Two years prior experience working with wastewater processes
- Two years of experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquÃ, or tu).
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Entry Level Wastewater Treatment Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level wastewater treatment operator job?
Start by earning a state-issued wastewater operator certification, even at the lowest grade level, since most employers require it before you can work independently. Vocational training programs, community college coursework in environmental science or water technology, and any internship or co-op experience at a treatment plant give you a clear edge. Applying to municipal utilities and water districts is often the fastest path in at the entry level.
Which companies hire entry level wastewater treatment operators?
Companies hiring entry level wastewater treatment operators right now include US Water Services Corporation, GHD, and Inframark, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a mix of municipal water authorities, private utility management firms, and industrial facilities that operate their own on-site treatment systems.
Are there remote entry level wastewater treatment operator jobs?
Yes, though the role is predominantly hands-on and on-site by nature. About 0% of entry level wastewater treatment operator openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those roles typically involve monitoring, data entry, or administrative support functions rather than direct plant operations. Most operators beginning their careers should expect to work in person at a treatment facility.
Are these new grad wastewater treatment operator jobs?
Yes, this page includes new grad, recent graduate, and junior wastewater treatment operator roles. A new-grad-friendly posting typically welcomes candidates with zero to two years of experience, accepts an internship, vocational program, or relevant coursework in place of full-time history, and may offer on-the-job training toward higher operator certification grades. If a listing mentions trainee, apprentice, or operator-in-training, it is built for someone just starting out.
Which industries hire the most entry level wastewater treatment operators?
Entry Level wastewater treatment operator roles concentrate in Manufacturing, Energy, and Government & Public Sector, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they operate regulated treatment infrastructure that requires licensed personnel around the clock, creating steady demand for new operators entering the field.