Career Outreach by Vista Irrigation District Builds Workforce

The Vista Irrigation District (VID) is partnering with the Vista Chamber of Commerce’s “Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning (SOCAL) Program to encourage job seekers and students to learn about water industry careers.

As part of the program, two VID employees were featured in informational videos describing their jobs, including their typical duties and the skills needed to succeed. Both employees also discuss the education required and local resources for career training.

Marselino Sanchez: Positive Impact on the Community

Water System Operation II Marselino Sanchez is in charge of maintaining water distribution systems and analyzing water quality. In his interview, Sanchez called his job “dynamic” and said he likes making a positive impact on his community.

“The biggest challenge with this position is trying to manage the distribution system, (and) also trying to handle any emergency that arises,” said Sanchez. “Not every day is the same. It can change within a minute, within seconds, so we’ve got to be able to adapt very quickly. But that’s the part that makes the job very fun and exciting.”

Sanchez said he took courses at Palomar College, which helped prepare him to take require State of California certification exams required for his job. He says successful job candidates have strong mathematics and analytical skills they can apply to managing water quality.

Dean Farris: Flexibility Key To Success

Water Distribution Supervisor Dean Farris works daily with his team to analyze and maintain the VID water system, including water system levels and water quality, water flow, adjustments in water pressures, and maintenance, all while staying ready for any possibility.

Like Sanchez, Farris says successful job candidates must be flexible. “Almost certainly, there’s going to be something that comes up that needs immediate attention, and so you’ve got to be ready for those curve balls that are thrown at you.”

Farris encourages aspiring water industry professionals to take courses at the community college level, such as Palomar College, to learn about water distribution and water and wastewater treatment. Getting certifications shows an employer that you’re a serious job candidate.

In addition, Farris says successful water and wastewater professionals have strong analytical skills, organizational skills, and the ability to communicate.

“The first thing I do when I walk in here in the morning, before anyone gets here, is analyze that big screen behind me with the historical trends and then make decisions based on that throughout the day,” said Farris.

Both videos are now available on the Vista Chamber of Commerce’s SOCAL webpage and on the SOCAL Workforce YouTube channel.

About Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning

Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning (SOCAL) drives economic empowerment by elevating student awareness of career and educational opportunities across multiple industries and provides a forum for students to take meaningful steps towards participation in the workforce of tomorrow.

SOCAL is a collaborative program between education and industry created by Tri-City Medical Center, the San Diego North Economic Development Council and Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, Escondido, San Marcos, and Encinitas Chambers of Commerce. The vision is to give middle school, high school, and post-secondary students and transitioning adults an opportunity to gain insights into career pathways while allowing businesses and local organizations to participate in these students’ career exploration.