WASTEWATER COLLECTIONS
OPERATOR
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.
Preferred Training & Certification:
Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification (Grade I and II) or equivalent.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) may be required for vacuum truck or equipment operation.
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 and wetlands
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.