We hire professionals who want to be leaders in the water and wastewater operations industry. Whether you have 20+ years of experience, starting a career change, or are fresh out of high school, we’ll help shape you into a leader. We actively encourage staff to gain certificates and licenses, and develop their careers
What Is a Water / Wastewater Operator Career?
A water/wastewater operator is an essential role to the health of all communities – keeping all forms of water safe, clean, and compliant for these multi-million dollar systems. Typical roles of operators include:
- Operate and maintain wastewater and water treatment facilities systems
- Perform troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater mechanical and electrical systems
- Perform sampling and process control laboratory analysis
- Operate and maintain pump stations, well houses and valves
- Prepare field reports
- General maintenance of work area and equipment
Who Would Make a Good Operator?
FVOP’s team is diverse and full of team players. We’re made up of fishers, hunters, military veterans, adventurers, gamers, singers, boaters, and all kinds of people that work hard and live to enjoy life. We work hard, play hard, and aren’t afraid to get dirty in the process. If this sounds like you, keep reading to see if you’d made a good operator:
- Pays attention to details
- Enjoys getting your hands dirty
- Wants to avoid sitting behind a desk all day
- Feels satisfied by finding ways to make things more efficient
- Enjoys variation of daily tasks
- Wants to become a shareholder in our company
How to Be a Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator
The best way to become a water and/or wastewater operator is simply apply! We hire staff with any amount of experience, as long as you’re willing to be a team player, be hands on, and be a leader of the water and wastewater treatment industry.
Training is one of the highest priorities of FVOP, which is why an operator can have any amount of experience. We invest in YOU! We believe a well-trained staff is the key to efficient and effective operations services. We provide both technical training for our entry level and junior staff, project management training to our management staff and strategic training to our senior managers throughout our company. We continuously strive to train our next group of leaders.
Regular training starts with our employee’s first day of work. As part of the on-boarding process, each new staff member is evaluated for competence in various technical and managerial areas. Short term (0-2 years) and long range (2-5 years) technical and managerial training plans are developed for each person. These training plans are individually tailored to each employee. Progress toward training goals is evaluated during our staff review process.
More Careers
FVOP also offers non-operator roles, like Billing Specialists, Mechanical Specialists, and Control Specialists. Be sure to check our full listing of available careers!
Why Work for FVOP
Big Impact, Local Feeling
FVOP serves Michigan and Indiana, providing a small-sized firm feel with the ability to service dozens of communities like a larger-sized firm. Our executives are people you actually know and meet in person. In fact, during the summers, they come out and grill for you – because knowing our employees is important. You’re not just a number; you’re an important part of our organization. We see you.
Employee-Owned
We have over 50 shareholders from every level and division in the firm. We believe owning a piece of the rock promotes stronger commitment of the staff to the success of the firm.
Committed to Community
At FVOP, building community through volunteer services and charitable donations is as important as maintaining and operating water and wastewater facilities. We value working with purpose to create a meaningful impact. Creating and celebrating community and industry is at the heart of FVOP’s culture and we are committed to outreach through service to our clients, our communities, and our colleagues.
Community Culture
We expect our employees to work hard and provide a quality product every time. However, we also try to provide a fun and diversified workplace where staff can learn and grow as their careers progress. During the summers, we host several cookouts at our various plants to bring staff, executives, and clients together for a fun afternoon.
This commitment to staff and positive company culture was recognized with F&V Companies being awarded, for five years in a row and again in 2023, “Best & Brightest Companies to Work For” in the Nation.
Career Growth Potential
We are growth oriented and feel this provides opportunities for people to advance in their careers. FVOP encourages people to determine where their strengths lie and what areas best suit their and the company’s needs. We believe career development is an on-going dynamic process, and flexibility is the key to obtaining the best from everyone.
Education and Certification Reimbursements
FVOP actively encourages pursuing further education, training, and certifications/licenses. To support this initiative, FVOP has an Educational Assistance Policy that helps with covering the costs of these items. You are not alone; we are there for you to help you be the best operator you can be, and that starts with making sure you have the tools you need to succeed by investing in you.
Best & Brightest Companies to Work For
"I believe FVOP is a great company to work for. Besides good pay and benefits, it allows everyone to attain growth in his/her career path. Management supports each one’s endeavors by allowing the individual to attend conferences or offering classes enriching knowledge in his/her chosen field. Promotion to higher levels is possible if someone wants to aspire to it. "
Mike
"My name is Douglas Hartline and I have been in the water and wastewater industry since 1977. My experience has been in the military, federal government, local government, and contract operations. F&V Operations is hands down the best employer that I have worked for. I am happy to work for a company that gives you so many resources. We are given excellent training, expertise, resources, and overall guidance to meet and exceed the client’s expectations. The motto “work smarter, not harder” is never more evident than with this employer."
Doug
"I joined the FVOP team nearly two years ago as a project manager after a decade of being director of a Department of Public Works (DPW) for a municipality. I was given an opportunity to obtain proper licensing and pass my wastewater exam within a year of employment at FVOP. I have grown my wastewater knowledge and skill sets immensely thanks to the various roles FVOP has entrusted in me. Since joining FVOP, I have become a better operator and project manager. FVOP has been the best decision for me individually and for my family."
Bill
"I enjoy working at FVOP because of the people that I am surrounded by every day. I like the fact that FVOP invests in every staff member to make sure we get proper training to do the job right. Everyone works together as a team and is ready to help you when you need it most. I like everything about FVOP and am proud to say so."
Shane
"I have been in the water treatment utility business for nearly three decades, and joined FVOP’s staff part-time in 2019, and I’m glad I did it. FVOP is run the way it should be done, and it is much appreciated.
It’s refreshing to see a company that appreciates and supports its employees; it’s a different vibe than what you usually get from private companies. My fellow co-workers seem happy with what’s going on and I can’t say that is true for a lot of other companies that I worked for.
It’s hard to market the job we do and how important clean water is, but there are many great opportunities out there. I’ve always enjoyed this work, especially the science part of it, and working my way up with all the certifications. And to work for a company that does things the right way is just a bonus!"
Rich
"I have been in the career field of water distribution and water filtration since 1987. In those years I have worked for two townships, one city, and two private firms, one being F&V Operations. I like working for F&V Operations because they just don’t see you has a number, but as a valued team member. I work with other team members and work for my future and the future of OUR company. I plan on finishing my career with F&V Operations, I have never worked for a better organization."
Dave