Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a wastewater treatment plant operator, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
The wastewater treatment plant operator is responsible for the overall operation of the plant, as well as the safety and well-being of the workers and the public. They must make sure the plant is running smoothly and that the water meets all regulatory requirements.
If you’re looking for a wastewater treatment plant operator job, you’ll need to know how to answer some common interview questions. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some wastewater treatment plant operator interview questions and answers to help you prepare.
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your comfort level with working in a potentially dangerous environment. This is especially important if the position you’re interviewing for involves handling hazardous chemicals or processes, such as those found in wastewater treatment plants. In your answer, try to show that you are comfortable and experienced working with these types of materials and processes.
Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable working with hazardous chemicals and processes. Throughout my career, I have worked with many different types of hazardous materials, including chlorine, ammonia and other toxic substances. I’ve also worked with several processes that involve hazardous chemicals, such as disinfection and oxidation.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications to perform the job duties. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the most important skills for this role and explain why they are important.
Example: “The two most important skills I think a wastewater treatment plant operator should have are problem-solving skills and communication skills. In my experience as a wastewater treatment plant operator, I’ve found that these skills are essential in helping me solve any issues that may arise during the day. For example, when there is an issue with one of the machines or processes, I need to use my problem-solving skills to find a solution. Likewise, good communication skills are also important because I often work with other team members who may need assistance.”
When working in a team environment, it’s likely that you’ll encounter conflict with your coworkers or supervisors at some point. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to resolve conflicts and work well with others. In your answer, try to show that you can be diplomatic when resolving disagreements. Show that you are willing to compromise and find solutions that benefit everyone involved.
Example: “I believe that conflict is inevitable when working with other people. I always try to remain respectful when addressing issues with my coworkers or supervisors. I am open to hearing their opinions and finding compromises that satisfy both parties. If someone has an issue with me, I want to know so that we can discuss it and come up with a solution.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how much training you might need to perform this job. If you have no experience operating wastewater treatment equipment, consider including a similar example of an industrial operation that you’ve performed in the past.
Example: “I worked as a lab technician for five years before moving into my current role as a wastewater treatment plant operator. In my previous position, I was responsible for monitoring the water quality of our samples and reporting any changes or abnormalities to my supervisor. This helped me develop my skills with using testing equipment and interpreting data.”
This question can allow you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to troubleshoot a problem with a piece of equipment or system. It can also be beneficial to mention the steps you took to solve the issue.
Example: “In my previous role as an operator, I was responsible for monitoring the water quality throughout the treatment process. One day, I noticed that there were high levels of ammonia in the water being treated. This could have been dangerous if left untreated, so I immediately began troubleshooting the issue. After checking all of the necessary equipment, I realized that one of the filters needed to be changed. I notified my supervisor, who helped me change the filter.”
This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to handle emergency situations and make quick decisions. Use examples from past experiences in which you were able to respond quickly and efficiently to a problem, such as a pipe breaking or an electrical malfunction.
Example: “In my last position, I was working on a project when a pipe broke and released raw sewage into the environment. I immediately notified my supervisor and other team members so we could work together to solve the issue. We assessed the situation and determined that it would be best to shut down the plant until we could fix the broken pipe. This allowed us to avoid releasing more sewage into the environment while we worked to repair the pipe.”
Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of safety in a wastewater treatment plant. They want to know that you will report any unsafe behavior and ensure your coworkers are following all safety protocols. In your answer, explain how you would approach the situation and what steps you would take to ensure your coworker was aware of the proper procedures.
Example: “I would first speak with my coworker privately about the issue. I would let them know why it’s important to follow safety protocols and give them an opportunity to correct their mistake. If they continue to ignore the rules, I would document the incident and inform my supervisor so they could handle the situation.”
This question can help the interviewer assess your communication skills and how well you work with others. Use examples from past experiences to show that you are a strong communicator who is able to collaborate with others.
Example: “I have always been someone who enjoys speaking in front of groups, so I took several public speaking classes throughout high school. In my last role as an operator, I was responsible for communicating with other operators about our daily operations. We used a messaging system to communicate with each other, and I found it helpful to use visuals when explaining something or asking questions. This helped me build stronger relationships with my coworkers.”
This is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are interested in the position and have done some research on it. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about the company, so be sure to ask questions that will help you understand what working there would be like.
Example: “I am very excited about this role because I love working with people and solving problems. However, I do have one question. What kind of training or certification do I need to become an operator? I know wastewater treatment plant operators must be certified by the state, but I’m not sure how long that takes.”
Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to prioritize tasks and manage your time. In your answer, explain how you determine when it’s appropriate to take a break from monitoring equipment and what steps you take to ensure the plant is operating safely during these times.
Example: “I only take breaks from monitoring equipment if I’m confident that my team members can handle their responsibilities while I’m away. For example, if I know one of my colleagues has been working for several hours without a break, I’ll offer to switch with them so they can take a short break. If I notice any issues or concerns while taking a break, I will return to my workstation as soon as possible.”
This question is an opportunity to show your ability to improve the performance of a team. Use examples from previous roles where you helped increase efficiency and productivity in your department or company.
Example: “In my last role, I noticed that our department was falling behind on projects because we didn’t have enough staff members. I spoke with my supervisor about hiring more employees for the department. We hired two new operators, which allowed us to complete all of our work without sacrificing quality. This resulted in higher customer satisfaction and increased revenue for the company.”
Wastewater treatment plant operators must complete daily maintenance checks to ensure the facility is operating efficiently and safely. Interviewers ask this question to learn about your attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to work independently. In your answer, describe a process you use for completing these tasks in an organized way.
Example: “I have developed a checklist that I follow each day when performing my daily maintenance checks. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t miss any important steps. For example, during my morning rounds, I check all of the pumps and motors to make sure they are functioning properly. Then, I move on to checking the pH levels of the water entering the facility and the wastewater leaving it. Finally, I perform a visual inspection of the entire facility to look for any issues.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention any skills you have that are relevant to the job.
Example: “I am passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability. I believe that wastewater treatment plants play an important role in keeping our waterways clean and safe for wildlife. In my last position as a water quality technician, I worked with local schools to teach children about the importance of protecting our environment. This inspired me to pursue a career in wastewater treatment plant operations.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of the facility’s operations. It also helps them determine if you have experience with similar types of wastewater treatment in the past. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your skills and abilities as a wastewater treatment plant operator.
Example: “At my last position, I was responsible for treating domestic sewage and industrial waste. In this role, I monitored the levels of oxygen and bacteria in the water to ensure that it remained at an appropriate level. I also ensured that the temperature of the water remained within safe parameters so that we could treat the water effectively.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how much you know about this position and whether your skills match what they’re looking for in an employee. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific skill or quality that’s important to operating a wastewater treatment plant.
Example: “I think the most important aspect of this job is being able to work well with others. In my last role as a wastewater treatment plant operator, I worked alongside several other operators, engineers and technicians. We all had different roles but we also depended on each other to do our jobs effectively. I enjoy working in a team environment because I feel like I learn more when I’m collaborating with others.”
The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with equipment maintenance. This can be an important part of the job, so it’s helpful if you have some experience in performing these checks yourself or working with others who do them. Consider mentioning any specific skills you have that help you perform maintenance on equipment and machinery.
Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of equipment over my career, so I’m familiar with how to check for common issues like clogs, leaks and other malfunctions. When I first started working at my last wastewater treatment plant, I helped train a new employee on how to perform basic maintenance checks on the equipment. It was helpful to show him how to identify problems and troubleshoot solutions.”
This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for how you would handle this situation, including the steps you would take to identify the issue and resolve it.
Example: “If there was a clog in one of the pipes, I would first check the alarms to see if they were triggered. If not, then I would go into the control room to assess the monitors that display the status of each pipe. From here, I would use my knowledge of the system to determine which pipe has the clog. Then, I would call maintenance to have them fix the issue.”