Waste Collections Operator

Waicleanwater; Honolulu (HI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Waicleanwater is seeking a Wastewater Collections Operator to ensure safe conveyance of wastewater from homes and businesses to treatment facilities across Hawaiʻi. The role involves maintenance, blockages repair, and adherence to safety and environmental guidelines.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent, 1–2 years in related trades, and hold or be eligible for Wastewater Certification Grade I/II.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1–2 years in construction, plumbing, facilities maintenance, or related trade.
• Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification (Grade I & II) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Operate wastewater collection systems safely to move wastewater from homes and businesses to treatment facilities.
• Identify and clear blockages, repair lines, and maintain manholes/catch basins.
• Interpret utility maps and blueprints; use GIS as needed.
• Follow safety protocols, PPE rules, and confined space procedures.
• Record maintenance logs and inspection notes; respond swiftly to spills or overflows.

Skills

Wastewater systems

Sewer maintenance

Safety procedures

Confined space

Emergency response

Communication

Reading maps/blueprints

Education

High school diploma

Wastewater Certification Grade I/II

Tools

Sewer cameras

Hydro-jetters

Vacuum trucks

Job description

Wastewater Collections Operators make sure that wastewater moves safely from homes and businesses to treatment facilities—preventing spills, backups, and contamination of our lands and waters. In Hawaiʻi, many systems traverse sensitive coastal areas, steep terrain, and old infrastructure making this role especially important. Operators may work in diverse settings, from dense urban districts in Honolulu to rural homesteads and resorts.

Education & Training

This position typically requires:

A high school diploma or equivalent.

1–2 years of experience in construction, plumbing, facilities maintenance, or a related trade.

Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification (Grade I and II) or equivalent.

On-the-job training is common, especially at county departments or large facilities. Employers may offer pathways to advanced certification and opportunities to cross-train with treatment plant staff.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

Day-to-day operations of wastewater collection systems, including gravity-fed and pressurized (force main) systems.

Construction, repair, and maintenance methods for sewers, storm drains, force mains, and pump/lift stations.

Local materials, tools, and trenchless technology techniques (e.g., slip-lining, pipe bursting, cured-in-place pipe).

Hazards related to confined space entry, hydrogen sulfide gas, and working near high-traffic or flood-prone areas.

DOH and EPA guidelines related to sewer overflows, emergency response, and water quality protection.

Local protocols for storm preparation and response—important due to Hawaiʻi’s hurricane and heavy rain seasons.

Cultural and environmental sensitivity, including proximity to culturally significant sites andwetlands

Using inspection and cleaning equipment (e.g., sewer cameras, hydro-jetters, vacuum trucks).

Identifying and clearing blockages, repairing broken or root-intruded lines, and performing manhole and catch basin maintenance.

Interpreting utility maps, GIS systems, and construction blueprints.

Operating safely in tight spaces, uneven terrain, and during adverse weather.

Applying safety procedures, PPE use, and confined space protocols.

Ability to:

Communicate clearly with coworkers, supervisors, contractors, and the public.

Follow safety regulations and act swiftly during emergency sewer spills or line breaks.

Record accurate maintenance logs and inspection notes.

Work independently or as part of a small team, often in remote or hard-to-access areas.

Uphold mālama ʻāina values—treating the land and water with care, especially when near streams, beaches, and sacred sites.

Electrical and mechanical systems used in utility plant operations, especially those adapted for Hawaiʻi’s island infrastructure.

Shop math, tools, and theory, including safety practices for working in humid or salt-air environments.

Proper use of testing and diagnostic equipment.

The National Electrical Code and safety standards (e.g., NFPA 70E).

Installation and maintenance of wastewater facilities, hydroelectric, solar, diesel, and other energy systems used in Hawaiʻi’s rural and off-grid areas.

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs), relay ladder logic, and hydraulics/pneumatics in water and wastewater equipment.

Basic materials science, including corrosion-resistant materials suited for coastal and volcanic zones.