Water Treatment Operator

Kimley-Horn; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Health coverage

Time off

Student loan matching

Tuition reimbursement

Family benefits

Job summary

Kimley-Horn in Chandler, AZ is seeking a Certified Water Treatment System Operator with 2+ years of experience to join the Water and Wastewater team. This is a full-time, on-site role focusing on operating and monitoring treatment processes to meet EPA and Tribal compliance.

You will perform routine sampling, basic lab testing, maintenance, respond to alarms, document readings, and mentor junior operators while communicating effectively with clients and regulatory contacts.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• ADEQ Grade 1–4 Water Treatment Operator Certification or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years’ operation and maintenance experience in water and/or wastewater plants.
• Strong documentation, math, and process calculation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to mentor others.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor treatment processes to meet compliance and targets.
• Perform process control sampling and basic lab tests (pH, TDS, turbidity, chlorine).
• Conduct inspections, identify issues, and coordinate repairs.
• Perform preventive maintenance and maintain logs and records.
• Respond to alarms, participate in on-call rotations, and maintain safety standards.
• Communicate system status clearly to clients and regulators; mentor junior staff.

Skills

Documentation habits

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Mentoring

Education

High School diploma or GED

ADEQ Grade 1–4 Water Treatment Operator 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.

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.