Waterworks Operator Certification

Welcome to the Waterworks Operator Certification Program

What Do You Want to Do?

Job Postings

We developed a new Waterworks sector job postings webpage for qualified Waterworks operators so that you know where to go for the latest industry-related job postings.

Job Seekers: We will provide information on how to apply for the posted job openings in the notices. Please carefully review the requirements. If you do not have the Waterworks certifications listed, you can find the minimum education and experience requirements in WAC 246-292-060.

Job Posters: To qualify for posting water operator jobs, your organization must be either a Group A public water system or an employer of Waterworks certified operators that provide water system operations.

Waterworks Operator Job Postings

Find a Certified Operator

Contract Operators

Contract operators are certified operators in responsible charge of three or more public water systems (WAC 246-292-055). We maintain a Contract Operator Public List (PDF) alphabetized by county.

If you are an active Contract Operator in good standing and want your name on the Contract Operator Public List, please fill out and return the Contract Operator Public List Form 331-439 (Word).

Cross-Connection Control Specialists

A Cross-Connection Control Specialist is an individual certified in Washington State to develop, implement, and maintain a cross-connection control program. (WAC 246-292-033). We maintain a list of Contract Cross-Connection Control Specialists.

If you are an active CCS in good standing and want your name on the CCS Public List, please fill out and return the Cross-Connection Control Specialist Public List Application Form 331-476 (Word).

U.S. Veterans

Veterans are an excellent option for your workforce needs. We work with veterans to help translate their military water system skills into experience for Waterworks operator certification exams. Career Opportunities for Veterans in the Water Sector 331-471 (PDF).

Temporary Certification

A “temporary certification” helps water systems remain in compliance with certified operator requirements while the candidate is gaining the experience necessary to take a certification exam. Temporary certifications are limited in duration and only used when a water system's required certified operator position is vacant.

Certified Operator Update/Change

If you need to remove or add a waterworks certified operator for your public water system, send an email to the program at dwopcert@doh.wa.gov. You need to notify the Waterworks Operator Certification Program within 30 days of starting or ending operations of a public water system. (WAC 246-292-020)

Include the following information.

  • Water System name and ID#
  • Full name and certification number of the waterworks operator that needs to be added or removed.
  • The effective date of when the change needs to be completed. 

If the public water system has more than one mandatory position, specify which position is to be updated. You can view your current list of certified operators on our Sentry Internet site.

If the update is a Contract Operator1 or Satellite Management Agency2 (SMA) please submit a signed contract.

1Contract Operators are certified operators that manage/operate more than two water systems. Contract Operators are required to provide a copy of their signed water system operations contract. When starting and stopping operations. (WAC 246-292-055)

2Satellite Management Agencies (SMA) (WAC 246-295-080) are entities authorized by the Department of Health to own/or manage and operate public water systems and are required to provide a signed copy of the water system operations contract to both:

If the waterworks certified operator is or needs to be listed as the primary contact for the water system, update your Water Facility Inventory (WFI) form. You can find information on completing and submitting your WFI on our WFI webpage.

Publications and Resources