How to Prepare for a Wastewater Operator Civil Service Exam

Passing a wastewater operator exam allows you to work at water treatment facilities.

Preparing for a wastewater operator civil service exam is a stressful and challenging procedure. As with most exams, preparation for the civil service exam involves a multigenre approach to studying and practicing the skills and knowledge sets on which you will be tested. You must identify the specific skills and abilities you will be tested on in your town, as well as several testing tools and aids to help you study and practice those skills and abilities.

Instructions

1. Contact the wastewater or civil service department in your town, borough or city to identify what specific concepts and tasks are tested on the wastewater operator civil service exam. For example, in most cities, the exam tests your mechanical aptitude, ability to understand safety procedures, understanding of the tools used on the job, knowledge of elementary chemistry and general science, ability to read and understand scientific material, and basic math skills.

2. Ask your area's civil service department for sample or practice tests for a wastewater operator civil service exam. If they do not provide such exams, many are available for other cities and towns across the United States. Though these exams may not address the exact issues of your area's exam, they will likely have a great degree of overlap.

3. Interview a wastewater civil service engineer about the details and specifications of his job. Ask about the skills and knowledge he uses on a daily basis, from specific equipment to basic science or math skills (often used to add up tonnage of wastewater or mixing solvents) and safety procedures, such as those for disinfecting gear and suits.

4. Locate studying and information aids, such as textbooks, online forums and practice exams, you can use to study and prepare for the exam. For example, there are many books available on wastewater treatment, such as "Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse," that are available in local bookstores and online.

References

• "Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse"; George Tchobanoglous and H. David Stensel; 2002
• "Test-Taking Strategies (Study Smart Series): winner, HomeStudy Book of 2007"; Judi Kesselman-Turkel and Franklynn Peterson; 2007
• State University: Water Treatment Plant and System Operator Job Description

Resources

• WasteWater Engineering Virtual Library