Water Treatment Operator

Kimley-Horn; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement match

Health coverage

Flexible time off

Student loan matching

Tuition reimbursement

Family leave

Job summary

Kimley-Horn is seeking a Water Treatment System Operator near Chandler, AZ with 2+ years of experience to join our Water and Wastewater team. You will operate and monitor treatment processes, perform basic lab tests, conduct inspections, troubleshoot issues, and maintain safety, logs, and compliance documentation.

ADEQ Grade 1-4 certification and a High School diploma or GED are required, along with mentoring junior operators. This is a full-time on-site role with a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• ADEQ Grade 1-4 Water Treatment Certification (or equivalent) at time of application.
• Minimum two years of operation/maintenance experience in water and/or wastewater plants.
• Strong documentation habits; good math/process calculation skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor treatment processes to meet compliance and targets.
• Perform process control sampling and basic lab tests (pH, alkalinity, TDS, chlorine residual, SDI, turbidity).
• Conduct routine equipment inspections; identify abnormal conditions and take corrective action.
• Troubleshoot mechanical/electrical/process issues and coordinate repairs.
• Perform preventive maintenance and maintain logs and documentation.
• Respond to alarms; participate in after-hours/on-call rotation.
• Mentor junior operators and assist in training.
• Communicate system status to clients and stakeholders; prepare clear reports.

Skills

Documentation

Math/Calculations

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Mentoring

Education

High School Diploma or GED

ADEQ Grade 1-4 Water Treatment Certification

Tools

SCADA

Job description

Overview
Kimley-Horn's is seeking a Water Treatment System Operator near Chandler, AZ with 2+ years of experience to join their Water and Wastewater team.

Overview
Kimley-Horn's is seeking a Water Treatment System Operator near Chandler, AZ with 2+ years of experience to join their Water and Wastewater team.
Responsibilities

• Full-time role for a Certified Water Treatment System Operator located near Chandler, AZ.
• Operate and monitor treatment processes (e.g., pump stations, cartridge filters, granular activated carbon, RO, disinfection, and SCADA) to maintain EPA and Tribal compliance and operating targets.
• Perform process control sampling and basic lab testing (e.g., pH, Alkalinity, TDS, chlorine residual, SDI, turbidity as applicable); interpret results and adjust operations and chemical dosing accordingly.
• Conduct routine equipment inspections/rounds; identify abnormal conditions and take corrective action.
• Troubleshoot mechanical/electrical/process issues; coordinate repairs with maintenance staff and/or contractors.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks (lubrication, cleaning, calibration checks) and maintain housekeeping and safety standards.
• Respond to alarms and operational upsets; participate in after-hours/holiday/on-call rotation.
• Maintain accurate shift logs, work orders, chemical usage, meter readings, and compliance documentation.
• Follow safety programs and participate in training and safety meetings.
• Support SOP updates, optimization initiatives, and audits/inspections.
• Communicate professionally with clients and stakeholders on system status, findings, and compliance; adapt messaging for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor junior operators and trainees on equipment, safe practices, and process control; assist supervisors in evaluating progress.

Qualifications

• A High School diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent.
• Candidates at minimum must possess an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Grade 1 - 4 Water Treatment Plant Operator's Certification (or equivalent certification from a reciprocal jurisdiction) at time of application.
• A minimum of two years of experience in the operation and maintenance of water and/or wastewater treatment plants and related facilities.
• Strong documentation habits and comfort with math/process calculations.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with clients and regulatory contacts.
• Experience or willingness to mentor junior operators and support their development.

Why Kimley-Horn?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it— that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn's placement on the Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work" list for 19 years! Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn

• Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.