A Great Career for a Great Cause
Work for Water is a place for students and job seekers to find resources on green careers that make a real difference. Developed by the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation, the world’s leading technical experts on drinking water, resource recovery, and water quality, this site is packed with resources to find jobs or prepare for rewarding careers in protecting public health and the environment. The water sector is dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to recover and recycle renewable resources like clean water, energy, and fuel to benefit every community and help shape a sustainable future for all. Learn what it takes to work for water and get a great career for a great cause!
Learn About Careers in Water

Drinking Water
Treatment Operator
Water treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
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Water Resource Recovery
(Wastewater Treatment) Operator
Water resource recovery operators perform a multitude of tasks necessary to ensure that treatment resource recovery go smoothly.
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Water Distribution
Operator
Water Distribution Operators ensure the operation, maintenance, construction, and repair of water distribution systems, hydraulic power and pumping systems.
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Electrician/
Mechanic
Mechanics and electricians preserve and create the machinery necessary to treat water and recovery resources.
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Engineer
Engineers are a broad category of workers who design and implement the industrial processes that make water treatment possible.
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Green Infrastructure
Worker
A Green Infrastructure worker can perform a variety of roles such as installer, maintainer, maintenance inspector, or construction inspector.
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Laboratory
Technician
Laboratory technicians provide data that determines how well treatment processes are working.
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Pretreatment/ Industrial Coordinator
Pretreatment/Industrial Coordinators oversee the entire pretreatment program for a municipality.
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Utility Manager/ Supervisor
Utility Managers and Supervisors ensure the organization mission is met by driving innovation and effectively leading staff.
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Wastewater Collections Operator
Wastewater Collection Operators ensure wastewater flows safely to the facility for treatment.
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We understand that finding the perfect career can be both exciting and overwhelming. With many different paths to choose from and education, training, and certification requirements that vary by region, it’s hard to know where to start. Work for Water is here to help! Visit our Get Started map to learn the specifics to finding a job in your region, links to your local certification agency, training opportunities, scholarships, and other local resources to help you launch your career in water.
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