Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators operate mechanical equipment in wastewater treatment facilities in order to remove harmful waste products from water and to render it environmentally acceptable. They maintain pumps, pipes, valves, and processing equipment to move wastewater through collection systems and through various treatment processes. They read and interpret meters and gauges. They also operate chemical-feeding devices, perform laboratory analysis, and keep records of their work. They must be familiar with electricity, mechanics, chemistry, microbiology, hydraulics, and a host of other disciplines.
Legislation: NH RSA 485-A; Administrative Rules Chapter Env-Wq 304
Certification Requirements:
- Satisfactory physical condition
- Satisfactory moral character
- High school graduate
- College according to grade (see below)
- Able to read and write in the English language
Examination: Applicants without experience will be allowed to take the Grade I examination and, if successful, they will receive a Grade I Operator-In-Training (O-I-T) certificate. The experience and education requirements (in years) for the various grades are as follows:
- Grade I O-I-T: no experience; Grade I after one year full-time
- Grade I: one year experience and high school or equivalent
- Grade II O-I-T: No experience and high school or equivalent plus one-year wastewater certificate; or one year experience and high school or equivalent
- Grade II: three years experience and high school or equivalent
- Grade III O-I-T: two years experience and high school or equivalent plus 90 CEUs or two years of college
- Grade III: four years experience and high school or equivalent plus 90 CEUs or two years of college
- Grade IV O-I-T: four years experience and high school or equivalent plus 90 CEUs or two years of college
- Grade IV: six years experience and high school or equivalent plus 90 CEUs or two years of college
Applicants who achieve a score of 70 percent or higher on the O-I-T exam must complete the full experience requirement prior to receiving a full license grade. Applicants who take the Grade I examination and achieve a score of 70 percent or higher will receive a Grade I license. Applicants achieving a score of 70 percent or higher on the written exam for Grades II, III, or IV may be required to attend an interview with the Certification Committee as a second step of the certification process.
Continuing Education: For Grades I and I O-I-T, one continuing education unit (CEU) is required in a relevant field of study per renewal period. For Grades II and above, two CEUs are required in a relevant field of study per renewal period. Ten hours of education equals 1.0 CEU; one college credit equals 1.5 CEUs. All grades may carry forward 50 percent of the required total of renewal credits to the renewal period immediately following the rewenal period in which it was earned.
Fees:
- Application: $50
- Biennial renewal: $50
Reciprocity: Handled on a case-by-case basis by the Certification Committee. Certificates may be issued, without examination, in a comparable classification to other states, provided the individual holds a valid certificate issued by an appropriate agency and he or she is actively seeking employment in New Hampshire. Certification must have been issued by examination in the other state. Grade IV certificates are not available by reciprocity.
revised Jan 2018 |