water industry jobs
DESCRIPTION
Presentation from Erin McCauley from CalWater on getting jobs in the water industry. Presented at NOVA's Connect! Job Seeker Center, Sunnyvale, CA, on 2/16/2010.TRANSCRIPT
I Want to Work for the Water Company!
Erin McCauley – Acting District Manager
California Water Service Company
February 23, 2009
Types of Jobs in the Field
• Distribution Operators• Treatment Operators• Customer Service
Representatives• Meter Readers and
Collectors
Types of Jobs in the Main Office
• Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical)
• Water Quality– Chemists– Regulatory Affairs staff
• Accounting/Purchasing/Rates setting
• Information Technology
• Human Resources
• Public Relations
Treatment Plant Operators
• Monitor treatment process and keep records
• Adjust chemical feeds and speeds
• Collect and analyze samples
Example Treatment Plant Schematic
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
SPARE
UP-FLOW CLARIFIER
PUMP
INTAKE
PUMP
GAC SYSTEM
SEDIMENTATION TANK
TO SEWER
CLEARWELL
SPARE
BA
CK
WA
SH
FILTERS
BA
CK
WA
SH
ALUM POST CHLORINE
PRE-CHLORINE
Distribution Operators
• Monitor all facilities and keep records– Check system pressure,
flowrates, and power usage
• Open/Close street valves• Pump maintenance and
repair• Clean and maintain tanks• Locate and Repair main
leaks• Repair fire hydrants
Customer Service Representative
• Handles customer issues on phone and in person
• Manage the computerize billing system
• Call out field employees to respond to problems
Meter Readers and Collectors
• Read the water meters so we have accurate customer bills
• Note any problems with meters
• Repair and replace meters and meter boxes
• Turn off and on customer meters when there are billing problems
What are the benefits of the job?
• It is a stable, growing field
• You are contributing to your community
• The is always something new going on
• Many utilities have good benefits packages
• Opportunities for advancement
What skills do I need?
• Dependability• Common Sense• Team Player • Good Attitude
• High school level math
• A valid Driver’s License and a good driving record
• Water Distribution and Water Treatment Certification
• Clean criminal record
Can I get a job without Certification?
• Yes – meter reading, customer service
• Most main office jobs
• Recommend getting certification anyway – good way to show commitment
How do I get an Operator job?
1. Get your GED2. Complete a correspondence course in
Water Distribution or Water Treatment through Sacramento State
3. Apply for the test4. Take the Level 2 Distribution or
Treatment exam. 5. Apply for the Certification6. Apply for a job
What types of places hire Operators?
• Wholesaler agencies – SFPUC, Zone 7, Metropolitan Water
• Retail agencies (public) – City of Sunnyvale, Palo Alto
• Retail agencies (private)– Cal Water, Cal Am, San Jose Water
• Operations and Maintenance companies (private)– OMI, Thames
Where can I get a job
• California Water Service Company – www.calwater.com• East Bay Municipal Utilities District – www.ebmud.com• Santa Clara Valley Water District - www.valleywater.org• San Jose Water Company – www.sjwater.com• American States Water Company - www.aswater.com• Alameda County Water District - www.acwd.org• Contra Costa Water - www.ccwater.com• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission –
www.sfwater.org• Many Cities
Are there other places to look for jobs?
• American Water Works Association-www.awwa.org
• Water Jobs - www.waterjobs.com
• BC Water Jobs - www.bcwaterjobs.com