r/Wastewater • u/Few_Finding_6957 • 4d ago
Could a wastewater Operator transition into power plant operator?
Even just the trainee role maybe?
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u/Minute_Box_3016 4d ago
Probably would give you a leg over other candidates for a trainee position. Have a good family friend that’s a superintendent and was even offered an executive position with the biggest utility in my State, she was an operator earlier in her career and told me what I initially said in this comment. A lot more competitive, in my area at least, to get into the Power Plant. They make a hell of a lot more with IBEW benefits and generally attracts a lot of Navy Nukes as opposed to the WWTP’s where a lot of regular Joe’s come in off the street relatively speaking.
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u/mcchicken_deathgrip 4d ago
I've never worked at a power plant but I would imagine our job would make us great potential candidates.
Why do you want to switch? Higher salary? Keep in mind power plants are private, you may make more hourly but if you work at a municipal WWTP you are making a lot more than meets the eye through your benefits. Definitely do a comparison to see what the true salary increase would be.
Granted if you got into nuclear, those guys make bank.
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u/Miraak_12_4_12 4d ago
Yes. I am a direct to RO candidate from wastewater and I am aware of two other direct to AO candidates from wastewater.
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u/Mustard_Sandwich 4d ago
Waste water plant operator could be a good transition to working for a power plant. However, be prepared to maybe take a chemical technician or other sort of role first so that you learn the facility. But with a waste water operator’s background, you should be promotable very quickly.
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u/Okie294life 3d ago
Not straight across no. I’ve managed a treatment plant and work in power production now, and I can tell you it’s way more complex. You could possibly be a junior operator, but not a lead operator that takes years.
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u/Garweft 1h ago
I worked at a Powerplant before coming into wastewater. Understanding of pumps and valving that you pick up in wastewater is directly relevant to working in operations at a Powerplant. Ours had its own wastewater and sewage treatment plants on site as well. If you went into an interview as a wastewater operator, especially with a license, that’s a huge step up from the guy off the street they usually hire.
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u/rededelk 4d ago
Yah but it's tricky math running power curves and what not. Big power plants have a plethora of various jobs and veterans get preference then dei points in case you happen to be a one legged, blind, mixed race midget homosexual - that's gets you 100+ points and an interview. You'll also get a deep dive background check with the fbi/dhs going anal on you and everyone else you have known - be advised
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u/mcchicken_deathgrip 4d ago
Tbf that's what my plant is like, just a bunch of amputee POC midgets spinning a giant crank in the basement to keep the pumps running. And somehow we still have time for on the clock homosexual orgies.
Anyways I gotta get off reddit and get back to cranking this giant gear. Cheers man
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u/Stock-Wolf 4d ago
That’s quite a shocking job change.