Utility Operator (Water/Wastewater)

MSA Professional Services; Baraboo (WI); On-site; USD 33,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP: Employee ownership

Medical, dental & vision insurance

PTO & holidays

401(k) with company matching

Parental leave

Short-term incentive bonus

Life & disability insurance

Job summary

MSA Professional Services, Baraboo, WI, is seeking a Utilities Operator to support water and wastewater projects with on-site monitoring, data collection, and reporting. The role requires travel to various client sites and offers full-time, part-time, and LTE options with hourly pay.

The company emphasizes employee ownership and a collaborative, growth‑oriented culture. Responsibilities include site observations, sampling, chemistry analyses, and contributing to monthly and annual reports.

Qualifications

• 2+ years water/wastewater operator experience required.
• Valid driver's license required.
• This position requires work authorization to operate in the United States (no sponsorship).
• WI Water & Wastewater Operator certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site monitoring of utility projects and record daily observations, collect samples, and perform system maintenance.
• Review and adhere to health and safety protocols.

Skills

Operator experience

Driver's license

US work authorization

Education

High school diploma

WI operator certification preferred

Job description

Location(s): Baraboo, Marshfield

Type: Full‑Time, Part-Time, and LTE Available | Hourly

The Utility Operator position supports Water and Wastewater utility operation project tasks such as sample collection, site observations, data collection and reporting, and other field work as necessary. This role requires localized travel to our various Water/Wastewater clients.

MSA is open to considering candidates for full-time, part-time, or LTE roles, and your preferences can be discussed during the interview process.

MSA specializes in the sustainable development of communities and is proud to be 100% employee-owned. With roots reaching back to 1919, MSA has grown from a rural land survey company into a leading multidisciplinary firm of nearly 550 engineers, architects, planners, funding experts, surveyors, GIS experts, environmental scientists, and more who are committed to making communities better places to live, work, and play.

Come join the ownership team here!

Employee Testimonial

"As an employee-owned company (100% ESOP), working at MSA is not just a job. We're genuine co-owners, and this ESOP setup promotes a culture of collaboration and engagement throughout MSA because we all have a direct financial interest as owners."

• Project Engineer, Transportation, Cedar Rapids Office

Role Responsibilities

• Conducts on-site monitoring of utility projects to record daily observations, collect samples, and conduct system maintenance as needed. Accurately and clearly documents observations and data.
• Reviews and adheres to written health and safety protocols.
• Contributes to monthly and annual reporting requirements executed by Utility Administration staff.
• Attends regular utility operator team meetings to review process and address issues.
• Performs benchtop wet chemistry analysis for pH, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and other chemical parameters.
• Performs calculations as related to assigned operation tasks.
• Develops knowledge of utility operation and maintenance activities to maintain quality and efficient operation of the system.
• Assists in quality control of all utility operation work by continuously verifying completeness, continuity, and accuracy of all work and pointing out any inconsistencies to the appropriate person.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to grab, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Field Duties: The employee is required to stand for extended periods with frequent walking, bending, kneeling, balancing, and crouching. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 45 pounds. Manual labor is expected in the form of shoveling, hammering, chopping, climbing, and traveling long distances by foot. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Office Duties: The employee is required to sit for extended periods with occasional walking and standing and occasional bending, kneeling, balancing, or crouching. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Skills & Knowledge / Education & Experience

• High school diploma required
• 2+ years of Water/Wastewater Operator experience required
• WI Water & Wastewater Operator certification preferred
• Valid driver's license required
• This position requires you to have authorization to work in the United States for any employer. We will not provide sponsorship for this position.

Why MSA

• Immediate ownership with 100+ years of community impact
• Collaborative culture with in-house experts for all disciplines across the firm
• Flexible work‑life integration
• Ongoing learning and professional growth opportunities for all positions
• Commitment to fostering a work environment where employees have a strong sense of inclusion and belonging
• Included on the "ENR Top 500 Design Firms" for over 27 straight years

Pay & Benefits*

• Compensation Range: $24–$38 (commensurate with experience)
• ESOP: Receive MSA stock shares annually, at no cost to the employee
• Medical, dental & vision insurance for you, spouse, domestic partner, and eligible dependents
• 17+ days PTO (potentially higher pending experience) + 8 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave regardless of birth parent
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Short‑term incentive program for annual bonus opportunities
• Company‑paid life & disability insurance
• Full eligibility requirements for listed benefits will be discussed during the hiring process

MSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At MSA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer