CAREER RESOURCES
WATER & WASTEWATER SECTOR 

The Decentralized Wastewater Resource & Training Center (DWRTC) connects job seekers, students, and emerging professionals with opportunities in the growing water and wastewater industry. Whether you’re looking for training, scholarships, apprenticeships, or job openings, this page in the hub provides the resources you need to build a rewarding career in wastewater management and water sustainability.

Explore Water & Wastewater Sector Careers

Looking for a meaningful career with competitive pay and the chance to make a difference? The water industry offers opportunities to protect and restore one of our most vital resources clean water. With a wide range of career paths available, there’s something for everyone, whether you're a recent high school graduate, a seasoned professional, a veteran, or pursuing a new direction. Discover roles that match your skills and interests, and find your place in the water workforce. Explore our Career Pathways below to get started.

Career Pathways

OPERATIONS & MAINTAINENCE

The water and wastewater sector in Hawaiʻi depends on a diverse network of professionals from operators and engineers to community advocates and coordinators, each playing a vital role in protecting wai (water), public health, and our island environment. Explore those roles below, learn about the knowledge, skills and abilities need to succeed and learn about how you can take that first step into filling some of these positions.

  • Learn more about Wastewater Treatment Operators → They operate and maintain systems that clean wastewater before it’s safely returned to the environment or reused in irrigation. In Hawaiʻi, where land and water resources are limited and precious, this role is vital to preserving ecosystems, preventing pollution, and supporting climate resilience.​

  • Learn more about ​Water Treatment Operators → Who are essential to providing safe, clean drinking water to communities across Hawaiʻi. Working under general supervision, they operate and maintain water treatment facilities and pump stations that serve everything from urban centers to rural homesteads. Their work ensures that fresh, high-quality wai (water) reaches homes, schools and businesses.

  • Learn More About the role of Electricians / Mechanics → These professionals install, troubleshoot, and maintain the mechanical and electrical systems used in water treatment, wastewater management, and power generation facilities.

  • Learn more about the role of Waste Collections Operator ​→  These professionals ​make sure that wastewater moves safely from homes and businesses to treatment facilities—preventing spills, backups, and contamination of our lands and waters.

ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICE

  • Learn more about Engineers → Engineers design and oversee the systems that make water treatment, wastewater management, and resource recovery possible.​

  • Learn More about Laboratory Technicians → Lab techs conduct essential testing on water and wastewater samples to monitor safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. From detecting contaminants to analyzing treatment effectiveness, their work in Hawaiʻi helps protect public health and fragile aquatic ecosystems. Accurate, timely data supports decision making across the water sector.

  • Learn more about GIS Technicians → GIS (Geographic Information Systems) techs use mapping and spatial analysis to track water and wastewater infrastructure, environmental conditions, and land use. In Hawaiʻi, where natural and cultural resources are closely linked, GIS supports effective planning, emergency response, and conservation by making complex data visual and actionable.

  • Learn more about Water Quality Analyst → Water Quality Analysts collect, interpret, and report data that ensures wai (water) remains safe for people and the environment. In Hawaiʻi, they help detect emerging issues like pollution or nutrient overload in streams, wells, and coastal waters, supporting efforts to protect native ecosystems and uphold water standards. →

  • Learn More about Hydrologists → Hydrologists study how water moves through land, groundwater, and ecosystems. In island environments like Hawaiʻi, they play a crucial role in managing freshwater availability, predicting droughts or floods, and supporting sustainable development. Their science informs everything from water policy to climate resilience planning.

LEARNING PATHWAYS

EDUCATION & ON-THE JOB TRAINING

  • WAI Work-4-Water → The Work-4-Water (W4W) program provides access to workforce opportunities and builds career pipelines in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector. This online training prepares participants with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to successfully enter the workforce. Students will have access to career services and additional scholarships for On-the-Job Training opportunities. Graduates of this program will be better equipped for job opportunities and career advancement in Hawaiʻi’s water and wastewater industry.

  • Both University of Maui College and Hawaii Community College are offering one year long certifications to become qualified in onsite wastewater treatment. Learn more by checking out the attached flyers or reaching out directly to the Project Manager Charlotte Cheek.

  • Check out WAI’s Comprehensive List of OJT trainings and formal certifications

    Additionally, the EPA and OSHA compliance courses, are relevant for pretreatment and lab roles. As well as occasional wastewater operator and HAZWOPER training

  • The Hawaii Water Workforce Fellowship Program ​→ Was established in partnership with the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, and is a key initiative of the Hawaiian Islands Environmental Finance Center (HIEFC). This annual program is dedicated to building a sustainable water workforce in Hawai'i.

  • The National Rural Water Association Apprenticeship Program has provided the guidelines to states that lays a firm foundation for the apprentices to thrive upon completion. With little to no-cost, apprentices will attend an approximate 2-year training program through a State Association. From classroom instruction and on-the-job training, you are provided the tools necessary to be a successful operation specialist in your community. During your apprenticeship, you will earn-while-you-learn with knowledgeable, passionate people who strive to deliver clean drinking water to their community and treat wastewater before returning it to the environment. This program starts as a job and emerges as a solid and secure career as either a water operations specialist or wastewater operations specialist.

  • Water Quality Association Certification Programs → To achieve any WQA-certified designation, candidates must complete the appropriate course work, pass a comprehensive exam and agree to abide by the WQA Code of Ethics for the water treatment industry. This certification is valid for three years, but can be maintained by meeting continued education requirements and paying a recertification fee. 

  • Conservation Compass Internships → Internships that are typically a good starting point for those looking to enter the general conservation & water conservation sector.

    ​Kupu Hawai’i → Range of paid & unpaid Conservation Internship opportunities that range from 7 weeks long - 1 year long throughout Hawai’i ​at a variety of sites (includes water conservations sites).

ENVIRONMENTAL & COMMUNITY FOCUSED

  • Learn more about Planners → Planners guide land use, infrastructure, and resource decisions to support sustainable growth and environmental protection. In Hawaiʻi, they help balance development with cultural and ecological values, ensuring water and wastewater systems meet community needs now and for future generations.

  • Learn more about Watershed Program Coordinators → Watershed Coordinators bring together agencies, landowners, and communities to protect and restore the health of our island watersheds. By promoting best practices and managing projects across ahupuaʻa, they help ensure clean, reliable wai (water) from mauka to makai.

  • Learn more about Environmental Protection Specialists → These specialists develop and enforce policies that safeguard natural resources, including water quality and ecosystems. In Hawaiʻi, they assess environmental risks, support compliance with local and federal regulations, and help prevent pollution to protect sensitive habitats and public health.

  • Learn more about Community Outreach Specialists → Outreach specialists connect people to programs, resources, and knowledge that support clean water and healthy communities. In Hawaiʻi, they build trust, raise awareness, and promote participation in everything from conservation efforts to wastewater upgrades—often serving as a vital bridge between agencies and local voices.

MANAGEMENT & COORDINATION

  • Learn more about Utility Managers / Supervisors → These leaders oversee daily operations of water and wastewater systems, ensuring services run smoothly, safely, and sustainably. In Hawaiʻi, they manage staff, budgets, and infrastructure with a focus on community well-being, resource conservation, and regulatory compliance.

  • Learn more about Compliance Officers → Compliance Officers ensure that water and wastewater operations meet local, state, and federal regulations. In Hawaiʻi, where protecting wai (water) is both a legal and cultural responsibility, their work helps safeguard public health, environmental standards, and community trust.

  • Learn more about Project Managers → Project Managers coordinate the design, construction, and delivery of infrastructure improvements. From treatment plant upgrades to pipeline replacements, they help Hawaiʻi communities adapt to aging systems, climate challenges, and growing needs—on time and within budget. here

  • Learn more about Program Managers → Program Managers lead long-term initiatives that support water and wastewater goals—such as workforce development, sustainability, or public outreach. In Hawaiʻi, they often work across agencies and communities to align resources, deliver impact, and support local resilience.

  • Learn more about Infrastructure Grants Administrator → These administrators manage the funding that makes water and wastewater improvements possible. By navigating complex grant programs and ensuring compliance, they help Hawaiʻi communities secure critical resources for infrastructure, from rural upgrades to climate-ready solutions.

​HAWAI'I SPECIFIC JOB BOARDS

Scholarships

Whether you're just starting out or already working in the water and wastewater sector, be sure to explore these Hawai‘i-specific scholarships designed to support your growth and career development.

  • Hawaiʻi WEA Scholarships →  HWEA offers up to two $2,000 scholarships every year to provide financial assistance to HWEA members and their dependents seeking higher education, and to encourage academic excellence.  Awardee(s) will be invited to the HWEA Conference awards luncheon at no charge to receive their award.​

  • Water Quality Association Rebate Program → For a limited time, WQA members who earn a certification title within a year of signing up for WQA’s professional training program could be eligible for a rebate toward the cost of the training and certification exam.

  • American Water Works Association ​→ Each year the Hawaii Section awards 2 students with the $2,000 Student Scholarship and 2 operators the One AWWA Operator Scholarship.

  • One AWWA Operator Scholarship →  Offers water and wastewater operators funding for continuing education, certification, training, and conference attendance through AWWA Water Equation's partnership with local AWWA Sections. Scholarships are available throughout the year and payable to the educational institution. Our goal is to fund every water and wastewater operator who applies for funding for certification, training, tuition, and books to help elevate careers in the industry.

  • Hawaiʻi Section Student and Operator Scholarships → This scholarship is open to current AWWA members. Three (3) scholarships of $3,000 each will be awarded for the Fall college year. ​

  • Water Environment Federation→ This scholarship provides $25,000 for a post-baccalaureate student in the water environment field. The scholarship is for education related expenses.

  • NOWRA EMERGING PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP →  The scholarship aims to foster the professional growth of young and early-career professionals in the onsite wastewater sector. Two exceptional candidates will be selected based on their career goals and dedication to the field.

    To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled at least part-time in a trade school, university, or college, pursuing a degree or certification related to wastewater treatment, environmental policy, or management. Applicants must be under 35 years old or have less than 5 years of experience in the onsite wastewater industry.
    ​
    The 2024 scholarship application period has closed as of September 9. Be sure to watch for the opening of the 2025 applications in spring 2025.

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