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Water/Wastewater Engineers

SOC 17-2051.02Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full career arc of water and wastewater engineers working in consulting, municipal, and industrial settings on treatment plant design, collection and distribution system engineering, water quality investigations, and regulatory compliance — from entry-level project support through executive technical leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Water quality study data — collect and organize under direct supervision during field sampling campaigns at municipal treatment facilities.
  2. Engineering drawings and CAD software — produce basic layouts of water distribution or wastewater collection components following established templates and senior engineer direction.
  3. Technical reports and design plans — read and summarize key provisions under close guidance to support proposal review cycles.
  4. Regulatory standards and government compliance requirements — identify applicable codes for equipment selection with assistance from a licensed project engineer.
  5. Pumping system schematics — interpret and annotate under supervision to support design documentation for force mains or lift stations.
  6. Mathematical calculations for hydraulic loading rates — perform using standard formulas and spreadsheet tools under direction on routine treatment plant sizing tasks.
  7. CAD and geographic information system (GIS) tools — apply basic functions to draft pipeline alignments and map wastewater collection networks under senior oversight.
  8. Operations and maintenance logs from water or wastewater systems — review and flag anomalies for engineer evaluation during routine efficiency assessments.
  9. Engineering meeting notes and project correspondence — draft clearly and accurately using office suite software to support project team communication.
  10. Treatment plant unit process concepts such as SBR, UV disinfection, and aerobic digestion — recognize and describe functions when assisting senior engineers on plant design projects.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Water or wastewater treatment plant components — design routine elements including headworks, surge overflow basins, and sludge lagoons with reduced oversight on mid-scale municipal projects.
  2. Proposal documents and preliminary design plans — review and provide written critique identifying technical gaps or regulatory deficiencies as part of a structured peer-review process.
  3. Pumping stations, force mains, and gravity sewer alignments — design and size using hydraulic modeling software for standard collection system improvement projects.
  4. Water pollutant source characterization — conduct water quality studies, analyze laboratory results, and prepare findings reports for municipal or industrial clients.
  5. Equipment selection for wastewater processing — evaluate vendor submittals and specify compliant equipment using knowledge of federal and state discharge standards.
  6. Potable and non-potable water distribution systems — design pressure zones, pipe sizing, and storage configurations for community-scale service areas.
  7. Efficiency improvement recommendations — develop for existing water or wastewater operations by analyzing performance data and benchmarking against industry metrics.
  8. Junior engineers and CAD technicians — coordinate daily task assignments and provide technical guidance on design deliverables within defined project scopes.
  9. Analytical and scientific software tools — apply to model treatment processes and predict effluent quality outcomes under varying influent loading conditions.
  10. Project schedules and technical deliverable timelines — manage using standard project tracking methods to meet client milestones on water infrastructure assignments.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Advanced water or wastewater treatment plants incorporating SBR, membrane bioreactors, UV disinfection, and aerobic digesters — design autonomously from conceptual layout through construction documents for complex municipal or industrial clients.
  2. Domestic and industrial pumping systems including high-head force mains and multi-stage lift stations — design and specify fully across varied site and regulatory conditions without routine oversight.
  3. Comprehensive water distribution systems for potable and reclaimed water service — engineer including hydraulic network modeling, storage sizing, and pressure management for large service territories.
  4. Water quality investigation programs — lead from study design through pollutant source identification, applying scientific and statistical analysis methods to support regulatory compliance actions.
  5. Full design and equipment compliance review packages — prepare and certify for government permitting, ensuring all treatment plant specifications meet NPDES, Safe Drinking Water Act, or equivalent standards.
  6. Technical proposals, engineering reports, and regulatory submittals — author with clarity and precision to convey complex system designs to diverse audiences including regulators and public stakeholders.
  7. Multi-disciplinary project teams of engineers, technicians, and subconsultants — direct and integrate technical work across civil, mechanical, electrical, and process disciplines on water infrastructure projects.
  8. Non-routine operational failures and performance deficiencies in water or wastewater systems — diagnose root causes and engineer corrective solutions using systems analysis and operations evaluation methods.
  9. Design review sessions for proposals submitted by junior staff or subconsultants — lead with substantive critique addressing technical accuracy, code compliance, and constructability concerns.
  10. Risk and feasibility evaluations for alternative treatment technologies — perform independently, applying engineering judgment to recommend optimal solutions under capital and regulatory constraints.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational engineering standards and design guidelines for water and wastewater infrastructure — develop and institutionalize across a practice or firm to ensure technical consistency and regulatory rigor.
  2. Strategic direction for large-scale water resource programs — set by integrating infrastructure master planning, capital improvement priorities, and long-term regulatory compliance trajectories for client agencies.
  3. Mentorship and professional development programs for junior and mid-level water and wastewater engineers — design and lead to build firm-wide technical capability and accelerate licensure attainment.
  4. Novel or precedent-setting treatment plant configurations — guide from concept through commissioning, applying authoritative expertise to resolve unprecedented technical challenges at the organizational level.
  5. Cross-sector partnerships with regulators, research institutions, and industry groups — cultivate to advance emerging treatment technologies and position the organization as a sector leader.
  6. Enterprise-wide quality assurance and peer-review systems for engineering deliverables — establish and oversee to ensure all proposals, designs, and reports meet the highest professional and regulatory standards.
  7. Multi-project portfolios of water and wastewater infrastructure programs — oversee simultaneously, allocating engineering resources, managing risk exposure, and ensuring schedule and budget accountability at the executive level.
  8. Policy positions and technical testimony on water quality regulation and infrastructure investment — develop and present to government bodies, industry forums, and public stakeholders on behalf of the organization.
  9. Organizational adoption of advanced digital tools including GIS integration, hydraulic modeling platforms, and CAD automation workflows — champion and direct to elevate efficiency and analytical rigor practice-wide.
  10. Succession planning and senior technical leadership pipelines for the water and wastewater engineering practice — architect in alignment with long-term business strategy and workforce development objectives.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted regulation lookup — queries an AI assistant to retrieve relevant EPA or state standards for water/wastewater discharge limits, then cross-checks results against official regulatory texts before applying them to design work Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Preliminary treatment plant sizing — directs an AI tool to generate initial hydraulic loading calculations and equipment sizing tables for unit processes such as SBRs or UV disinfection systems, then reviews outputs against engineering fundamentals before incorporating them into design documents Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Technical report drafting — delegates first-draft sections of engineering reports or permit applications to an AI assistant, then edits for technical accuracy, site-specific context, and regulatory compliance Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Design alternative screening — tasks an AI assistant with systematically comparing multiple treatment train configurations (e.g., membrane bioreactor vs. conventional activated sludge) across cost, footprint, and compliance criteria, then applies engineering judgment to select the preferred alternative Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Efficiency gap analysis — instructs an AI tool to analyze operational data from existing water or wastewater systems, flagging anomalies or underperformance patterns, while retaining authorship of the root-cause diagnosis and recommended corrective measures WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Proposal review support — uses an AI assistant to perform an initial critique of submitted design plans for completeness and code compliance, then applies critical thinking to evaluate technical merit and provide authoritative feedback to junior engineers or contractors Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Complex systems optimization — orchestrates AI-driven modeling workflows to evaluate energy consumption, chemical dosing, and sludge handling across an integrated treatment facility, integrating outputs with process simulation tools and retaining full engineering accountability for the final design Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Mentorship scaffolding — directs junior engineers and CAD technicians on how to formulate precise AI prompts for hydraulic design tasks, establishes validation protocols for AI-generated outputs, and sets quality standards that preserve professional engineering responsibility across the team WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Critical Thinking
Score: 57.9 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Computational Thinking
computational_thinking
Sources:Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Technical report drafting — produces basic written summaries of water quality study findings using standard engineering report formats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder vocabulary — translates wastewater treatment terminology into plain language during initial client or community meetings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Design intent conveyance — describes proposed pipeline or pump station layouts verbally to senior engineers during project reviews O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Regulatory submission writing — prepares permit applications and technical memoranda for water or wastewater projects with clear, accurate documentation of design parameters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-discipline coordination — communicates design requirements for water distribution systems to CAD technicians and drafters with sufficient detail to minimize revision cycles O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Public meeting participation — presents water quality study results to community stakeholders using accessible visuals and responds to questions with technical accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Design review communication — leads written and verbal critique sessions of wastewater treatment plant proposals, articulating technical deficiencies and recommended revisions with precision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory correspondence — authors formal responses to agency comments on treatment plant permits, integrating engineering justification with regulatory compliance language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Construction-phase direction — issues field clarifications and technical bulletins to contractors for pump station or force main installations with unambiguous actionable guidance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Executive technical briefings — delivers concise, decision-ready presentations on major water infrastructure programs to municipal executives and elected officials, balancing engineering rigor with policy relevance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Multi-stakeholder negotiation facilitation — leads complex discussions between regulatory agencies, utilities, and design teams to resolve conflicting requirements for advanced treatment facility designs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Knowledge dissemination — authors peer-reviewed papers or conference presentations on innovations in sequencing batch reactor or membrane treatment system design Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Task ownership — accepts defined design assignments for water distribution system components and completes them with minimal redirection from senior engineers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer contribution — shares relevant hydraulic modeling findings or design references with project teammates during team check-ins Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Junior engineer mentoring — guides entry-level engineers through hydraulic calculations for wastewater collection systems, explaining methodology and checking outputs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Project milestone ownership — takes responsibility for delivering pump station design packages on schedule, coordinating with CAD technicians to resolve drawing conflicts O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Technical leadership on subtasks — leads the water quality sampling and characterization phase of a project, directing field technicians and compiling findings O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Team technical direction — supervises junior engineers and CAD technicians across multiple concurrent water or wastewater design projects, setting quality standards and resolving technical conflicts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client relationship stewardship — serves as primary technical point of contact for municipal water utility clients, managing expectations and driving project outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Design standard advocacy — champions adoption of updated treatment technology or design criteria within the engineering team, building consensus through technical demonstration Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Practice area leadership — defines department-wide technical standards and workflows for water and wastewater treatment plant design, elevating team capability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Talent development program — establishes structured mentorship pathways for junior water/wastewater engineers, linking competency development to project assignments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Organizational initiative — leads firm-wide pursuit of emerging treatment technologies such as membrane bioreactors, positioning the organization at the forefront of the discipline Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition10 statements
Emerging
  1. Learning gap identification — recognizes limits in personal knowledge of wastewater treatment unit processes and proactively seeks guidance from senior engineers or reference materials Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Calculation self-checking — reviews own hydraulic and mass balance calculations for water distribution designs before submission, identifying common error patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Design approach reflection — evaluates personal problem-solving strategies after each project phase to identify more efficient methods for sizing treatment components Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback integration — tracks recurring comments from design review sessions on pump station or pipeline designs and adjusts personal design approach accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Knowledge transfer awareness — assesses which wastewater engineering concepts transfer across project types and which require site-specific recalibration before applying prior solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional development planning — maps personal technical skill gaps against emerging regulatory requirements and treatment technologies to structure continuing education choices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Complexity calibration — recognizes when a wastewater treatment design problem exceeds established heuristics and escalates to advanced modeling or specialist consultation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Discipline-level insight — synthesizes lessons from multiple completed treatment plant projects to identify systemic gaps in team knowledge and designs targeted training interventions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cognitive bias mitigation — identifies and openly addresses tendencies toward over-reliance on familiar treatment configurations when evaluating alternatives for complex water reuse projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Adaptive expertise modeling — demonstrates and teaches other engineers how to shift reasoning strategies when encountering novel contaminant profiles or unusual hydraulic boundary conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Regulatory requirement parsing — reads and identifies applicable standards from EPA or state discharge permits relevant to a wastewater treatment design assignment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Alternative identification — lists multiple equipment or process options for a given wastewater treatment function before selecting a preliminary design approach Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Proposal evaluation — reviews engineering proposals for water or wastewater treatment systems against design criteria, identifying technical gaps and unsupported assumptions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cause identification — analyzes operational data from existing water or wastewater systems to diagnose inefficiencies and differentiate root causes from symptoms O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Trade-off analysis — evaluates capital cost, lifecycle cost, and regulatory compliance trade-offs among alternative disinfection technologies such as chlorination versus ultraviolet systems Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Design critique leadership — conducts systematic technical reviews of treatment plant designs, applying engineering judgment to evaluate hydraulic capacity, process sizing, and redundancy provisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Risk-based decision making — applies structured evaluation frameworks to select pump station configurations and force main materials under competing constraints of budget, reliability, and constructability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Systems failure analysis — investigates treatment plant underperformance by examining process interactions across headworks, biological treatment, and solids handling stages O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Policy implication analysis — evaluates proposed changes to effluent discharge regulations and critically assesses downstream design and operational impacts across a portfolio of client treatment facilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Innovation validation — applies rigorous evidence evaluation to assess vendor claims for emerging membrane or advanced oxidation technologies before recommending pilot-scale implementation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-disciplinary synthesis — integrates findings from water quality studies, geotechnical reports, and environmental impact assessments to develop defensible engineering conclusions for complex infrastructure projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration11 statements
Emerging
  1. Multidiscipline coordination — participates constructively in project meetings with civil, structural, and electrical engineers to align on water treatment facility layout requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Data sharing — provides hydraulic modeling inputs and outputs to team members in formats that support their downstream design work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interdisciplinary design integration — collaborates with mechanical and electrical engineers to coordinate pump station equipment specifications, control interfaces, and structural embedments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Contractor engagement — works with construction teams during site visits to clarify pipeline installation requirements and resolve field conflicts collaboratively O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Client team collaboration — engages utility operations staff in design workshops to incorporate O&M constraints into treatment plant layout and equipment selection Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Regulatory agency coordination — collaborates with state environmental agency reviewers during permit processing, negotiating technical conditions and providing supplemental design documentation to achieve approvals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Integrated project delivery — leads coordination across design disciplines on large water infrastructure projects, managing interface points and resolving cross-discipline conflicts before construction document issuance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Subconsultant management — directs geotechnical, surveying, and environmental subconsultants within the project team, aligning their scopes to support water or wastewater system design objectives O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Program-level collaboration — orchestrates multi-firm design teams on regional water infrastructure programs, establishing shared protocols for document exchange, quality review, and stakeholder engagement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Public-private partnership facilitation — collaborates with municipal attorneys, financial advisors, and engineering counterparts to structure and advance water infrastructure public-private partnership agreements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Research consortium participation — contributes water/wastewater engineering expertise to collaborative research initiatives with universities or regulatory agencies developing next-generation treatment standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character11 statements
Emerging
  1. Regulatory honesty — accurately reports water quality data and design assumptions in technical documents without omission or distortion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional accountability — acknowledges calculation errors in water distribution designs and initiates corrections promptly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical design practice — flags potential public health risks identified during wastewater system design review, even when doing so creates project schedule pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Confidentiality maintenance — handles client utility operational data and infrastructure vulnerability information with appropriate discretion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Commitment to standards — applies engineering design standards consistently regardless of client pressure to shortcut safety margins in treatment plant designs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Whistleblower integrity — reports identified deficiencies in peer-reviewed treatment plant designs or permit submissions to project leadership regardless of contractual or schedule consequences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional licensure responsibility — exercises stamp and seal authority on water and wastewater engineering documents with full accountability for technical accuracy and code compliance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict of interest transparency — proactively discloses potential conflicts of interest in vendor selection or subcontractor procurement processes on water infrastructure projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethics leadership — establishes and enforces team norms for engineering ethics and professional responsibility across all water and wastewater project engagements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Public trust stewardship — consistently prioritizes protection of public health and water supply safety in design decisions, modeling this value visibly for junior engineers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Industry standards contribution — participates in professional engineering ethics committees or standards bodies, bringing real-world water/wastewater engineering experience to policy development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity11 statements
Emerging
  1. Alternative generation — proposes at least two distinct process configurations when developing preliminary wastewater treatment design concepts for review by senior engineers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive reuse thinking — identifies opportunities to repurpose existing infrastructure components in water system upgrade projects to reduce cost and construction impact Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Treatment process innovation — investigates non-conventional treatment train configurations such as integrated fixed-film activated sludge when standard approaches are insufficient for permit requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Problem reframing — redefines recurring pump station hydraulic capacity constraints as system-level network optimization opportunities rather than isolated equipment sizing problems Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Design visualization — develops creative graphical approaches to present complex water distribution system hydraulic model results to non-technical municipal audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Novel technology application — adapts emerging ultraviolet disinfection or advanced oxidation process configurations to meet unique effluent quality requirements on non-standard wastewater reuse projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Integrated infrastructure design — conceives water treatment facilities that serve dual functions such as combining surge overflow basin design with green infrastructure and community amenity programming Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Efficiency innovation — develops original operational protocols or control logic concepts for aerobic digester systems that improve performance beyond manufacturer baseline recommendations O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Treatment paradigm advancement — pioneers application of previously untested treatment process combinations for emerging contaminant removal, supported by pilot study design and results interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-sector solution transfer — adapts industrial water treatment innovations from adjacent sectors for municipal wastewater applications, creating novel design approaches for client benefit Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Creative procurement structuring — develops innovative project delivery and financing frameworks for water infrastructure that unlock solutions previously considered financially infeasible Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset11 statements
Emerging
  1. Regulatory learning — seeks out updated state and federal water quality standards proactively rather than waiting for direction, building current regulatory knowledge Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Constructive feedback acceptance — receives and acts on design review comments for water distribution or treatment system drawings without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Technology fluency building — pursues training in hydraulic modeling software or treatment process simulation tools beyond minimum project requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Challenge seeking — volunteers for technically complex wastewater treatment assignments involving unfamiliar unit processes to accelerate skill development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Failure extraction — documents lessons learned from permit rejections or construction-phase design deficiencies and applies them to subsequent project designs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Continuous improvement practice — regularly reviews completed water and wastewater project outcomes against original design performance predictions to improve future engineering judgment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emerging contaminant preparedness — proactively studies PFAS, microplastics, and other emerging contaminant treatment challenges before they become mandatory project requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-sector learning — applies operations research, data analytics, and smart sensor concepts from adjacent fields to improve water treatment system monitoring and optimization approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Learning culture cultivation — establishes structured post-project reviews and internal knowledge-sharing sessions that embed continuous improvement into water/wastewater engineering team practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive expertise development — intentionally pursues assignments in unfamiliar regulatory environments or international water infrastructure contexts to expand adaptive engineering capabilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Discipline evolution leadership — monitors and interprets paradigm shifts in water resource recovery and circular economy frameworks, repositioning team service offerings accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness11 statements
Emerging
  1. Attention management — maintains focus during complex hydraulic calculations for wastewater collection systems by using structured calculation sheets and systematic checking routines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress recognition — identifies personal stress signals during high-deadline permit submission periods and applies basic self-regulation strategies to maintain calculation accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Deliberate review practice — pauses before finalizing treatment plant equipment specifications to verify alignment with permit requirements rather than relying on memory Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Meeting presence — practices active listening during design coordination meetings, refraining from parallel task-switching to ensure accurate capture of technical decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Workload awareness — monitors personal and team workload signals across concurrent water infrastructure projects to anticipate quality or schedule risks proactively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. High-stakes decision intentionality — applies deliberate pause-and-evaluate protocols before committing to major treatment plant design decisions with long-term infrastructure consequence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation under client pressure — maintains technical objectivity and professional composure when clients push for design shortcuts that compromise water quality standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Field observation attentiveness — conducts wastewater system site assessments with full sensory and analytical attention, capturing operational details that desk review cannot reveal Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team mindfulness modeling — demonstrates and teaches deliberate decision-making practices to junior engineers working on complex, high-pressure treatment plant design projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational stress culture awareness — recognizes systemic workload or deadline pressures within the engineering team that elevate error risk on water infrastructure projects and intervenes constructively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Contemplative technical leadership — integrates reflective practice into project milestone reviews, creating space for the team to surface unexamined assumptions in treatment system designs before construction documents are issued Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude11 statements
Emerging
  1. Persistence through complexity — continues working through multi-variable wastewater treatment sizing problems independently before escalating to senior engineers for guidance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Setback recovery — resumes productive work after receiving significant design review corrections on water distribution system submittals without prolonged discouragement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Regulatory adversity navigation — maintains professional persistence through extended permit review cycles or agency requests for additional information without allowing project momentum to stall Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Technical uncertainty tolerance — proceeds with defensible engineering judgment on wastewater design parameters when complete site data is unavailable, documenting assumptions transparently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Deadline resilience — sustains engineering output quality during sustained high-intensity project delivery periods involving multiple concurrent water infrastructure submittals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Contested design defense — defends technically sound water or wastewater treatment design decisions under pressure from clients or contractors seeking cost reductions that would compromise performance or compliance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Project recovery leadership — leads technical recovery efforts when water infrastructure project designs encounter major constructability problems or unexpected subsurface conditions mid-construction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory dispute perseverance — pursues technically justified variance requests through multi-round agency review processes, maintaining advocacy without compromising professional integrity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Crisis response leadership — directs engineering response to water infrastructure emergencies such as treatment plant failures or main breaks, sustaining clear judgment and decisive action under acute pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Long-horizon program endurance — sustains technical leadership and team motivation across multi-year regional water infrastructure programs that encounter funding gaps, regulatory delays, and scope changes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Profession-level advocacy — perseveres through sustained professional or political opposition to advance engineering standards or public health protections in water quality policy arenas Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Consulting Engineer · County Engineer · Dimensional Engineer · Engineer · Hydraulics Engineer · Hydrologic Modeler · Project Development Engineer · Remediation Engineer · Remediation Project Engineer · Wastewater Design Engineer · Wastewater Engineer · Wastewater Process Engineer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWritingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningSystems AnalysisMathematicsSystems EvaluationTime ManagementSpeakingMonitoringScienceOperations AnalysisActive LearningManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationLearning StrategiesInstructingSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionNegotiationService Orientation
Knowledge domains
Engineering and TechnologyDesignEnglish LanguageMathematicsBuilding and ConstructionAdministration and ManagementMechanicalPhysicsChemistryCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentBiologySales and MarketingComputers and ElectronicsEconomics and Accounting
Abilities
Inductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionInformation OrderingWritten ExpressionMathematical ReasoningFluency of IdeasProblem Sensitivity
Work styles
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Technology
Computer aided design CAD softwareOperating system softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareOffice suite softwareGeographic information systemInternet browser softwareMap creation softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareElectronic mail software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
  2. Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.
  3. Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.
  4. Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.
  5. Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.
  6. Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.
  7. Design water distribution systems for potable or non-potable water.
  8. Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.
CIP education codes
14.080114.080214.080314.080414.080514.089914.3301

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.