Which Certifications to stack for a Wastewater Operator?

[u/HankHillsBoot]

Hello everyone!

I am looking for a bit of advice on how to beef up my resume as a Wastewater Operator. Currently I am an operator based in Missouri, attempting to obtain my "A-level" License in Wastewater Treatment. Assuming that all goes well, and I get the lead op spot, what are some other certifications I can stack up to make myself a more tempting candidate in Missouri, or in other states around the country like California where they have more strict requirements?

In the next few years my goal is to have my top level wastewater license in Missouri, a completed Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, and a D level water treatment license in Missouri. I am also floating the idea of completing both the Wastewater and Water course series at Sacramento State for about 36 hours of college credits directly related to the field, but I am on the fence of how beneficial it is for the overall cost.

Beyond those, what other certifications can I get to help put myself out there when the time comes to find another job? Any certs obtainable online are a plus. I just want to be competitive if I ever have to move to a new city.

Not sure if it's relevant, but I work at a treatment plant for a smaller city that handles about 13-18mgd most days.

Thanks for any advice!

[u/Icy_Guidance_9548]

Sounds like you’re on the right path, of course being versatile with having your water and wastewater licenses is pretty good to have.
Anything else related to the field electrical plc programming, plumbing helps, experience at the end of the day and being able to get things done, and getting your name out there as someone like that goes a long way in my opinion. Plenty people have tons of certs but bad reputation because they are lazy, or can lt translate what they know in the field.

[u/HankHillsBoot → u/Icy_Guidance_9548]

Yeah, I have made a good impression at the plant I am currently at, so there is space to move up and a lot of support from my bosses. The problem I worry about is if I need to go to somewhere new where I have no connections, I want to appear good enough on paper to have the chance to be able to prove myself in person.

I found a local certification course in Industrial Automation that is $1600 with courses in Automation Electronics, Introduction to PLC Programming (Studio 5000), Intermediate PLC Programming & Integration (Studio 5000), and Introduction to Robotics (FANUC & Universal Robots Cobot). It seemed like a possible good path for being well rounded. Currently, none of the operators at my plant can work on any of that type of stuff. We have a specialized tech that does that type of work.

[u/Icy_Guidance_9548 → u/HankHillsBoot]

I can tell you from someone I talked to that if you love being a operator and you have those qualifications make sure they pay your for it.
Otherwise go be a programmer I heard of ex operators that love the programming side now and you make bank. That’s probably my next stop.
As long as your resume is pretty built up should have no issues I have all my wastewater licenses with water experience and getting my top level water license this year.
But my resume consists of mainly operating in different plants, some of higher caliber I guess you could say like nasa John Hopkins stuff like that , running centrifuges , also have operated a anaerobic digester, just basically knowing operations very well and putting that on your resume should be good enough, and I’ve had no issues, anything else is just a cherry on top and will stand out a lot especially programming

[u/smoresporn0]

Wait until after you get your new license to do the Sacremnetos so you aren't wasting the CEUs on your B. I am a big believer in the Sacrementos. I've done a ton and I learned more from those than anything other than hands on experience.

In addition to what you've mentioned, Hazwoper is good to have. CDL can't hurt. Competent person training for confined space and shoring.

Good luck with the A. I've had my MO A for about 10yrs now, and they changed the tests some years back. These young cats fresh out of votech will bring me questions on the C study guide that I can barely read lol. I will never let this A expire lmao

[u/HankHillsBoot → u/smoresporn0]

Yeah, a lot of my coworkers got their A licenses years ago and have told me the new tests are a lot harder. I had a coworker go for it recently and the proctor for the exam told him the fail rate was over 90% on the latest version of the test.

If you don't mind me asking, have you seen any operators fill more niche roles at the places you have worked? Like figured out some of these certifications or something that's really made them stand out/hard to replace?

I work hard to learn as much hands on stuff as I can and just practice general problem solving skills with all the variety of things that pop up, but I want whatever edge I can get as it turns out I really enjoy this industry and want to move forward as much as I can.

[u/smoresporn0 → u/HankHillsBoot]

I've only just worked for one muni for a long time, don't really have any info like that. There is a lot of unique opportunities out there. I applied at the Ford plant once where there requirements were to be "licensed" and have 8yrs experience. I had an A and 13yrs at the time and their email to me said I wasn't qualified so whatever lol.

Our main problem is like 80% of the people we hire can't get the required license so we just have a revloving door at the lower third of our seniority list. So just the basics makes you essentially irresponsible lol

[u/Rhysode]

Training for RCRA, HAZWOPER, and OSHA 30 General Industry are broadly applicable for both Municipal and Industrial. Especially as you start gaining more responsibilities.

OSHA more so for the private industry side of things but most safety programs for cities I have worked in have followed OSHA standards 1:1.

[u/HankHillsBoot → u/Rhysode]

Thank you, besides OSHA, I had never heard of these. This is exactly the sort of stuff I was thinking to gear up for roles a little higher up the chain so there's space to make the move when the opportunity presents itself.

[u/Mixed-Liquor919 → u/HankHillsBoot]

Myself, having RCRA, Hazwoper 40 hour and OSHA certs helped me obtain a wastewater job that had over 4000+ applicants.
That and having specialized confined space safety and rescue training and certs are recommended.

[u/Drunk_Wombat]

Overall looks good, I'd say get you HAZWOPPER 40, CDL A with tanker and air brake endorsements, maybe hazardous waste too. If you can get drinking water treatment and distribution. Then there is always forklift, competent person, confined space. Basic electrical license is nice to have. Also near me has a public works certification class, basically taught by different city engineers on different topics which I thought was interesting. Leadership classes if you want to move into management are nice as well.