Tag Archive for: job training

The Center for Water Studies recently added an advanced water treatment program, which will prepare individuals for jobs at facilities such as Pure Water San Diego or the East County Advanced Water Project. Photo: East County AWP open house

Explore Water Industry Careers at Center For Water Studies Open House Jan. 21

Explore career options in the water and wastewater industry at the Cuyamaca College Center for Water Studies annual Open House and Student Orientation on Tuesday, January 21 at 6 p.m. in room L-104 on the Cuyamaca College campus.

Joe Young, Center for Water Studies program manager, enjoyed a successful 35-year career at the Helix Water District before leading the program. Instructors are all current or retired water and wastewater industry professionals.

Prospective students tour the Cuyamaca College Water and Wastewater Technology lab facilities during a recent open house. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Prospective students tour the Cuyamaca College Water and Wastewater Technology lab facilities during a recent open house. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

“Everybody that works in this program, they’re all either working now or they’ve retired recently. Everybody has strong, intimate knowledge in their specialty,” said Young.

Young encourages anyone interested in exploring water and wastewater careers to attend and learn about the many options for good-paying, meaningful jobs.

Center for Water Studies alumni include Padre Dam Municipal Water District General Manager Kyle Swanson, seen here with his predecessor Don Carlisle. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority Open House

Center for Water Studies alumni include Padre Dam Municipal Water District General Manager Kyle Swanson, seen here with his predecessor Don Carlisle. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Hundreds of current water and wastewater employees at San Diego County water agencies are Center alumni, including Padre Dam Municipal Water District General Manager Kyle Swanson, and Helix Water District General Manager Brian Olney.

Young said the opportunities and earning potential are substantial. In addition, the work itself is extremely rewarding.

“You’re providing this service your community cannot live without. It gives you a sense of purpose, a sense of mission, and it was the most appealing aspect of my career. What we do is really important,” said Young.

Cuyamaca College’s innovative Field Operations Skills Yard is newly updated to provide students with practical challenges they will face working with water and wastewater industry facilities. Photo: Cuyamaca College Open House

Cuyamaca College’s innovative Field Operations Skills Yard is newly updated to provide students with practical challenges they will face working with water and wastewater industry facilities. Photo: Cuyamaca College

During the Open House, Young said participants will hear an overview of the program, learn about the degrees and certificates offered, details on the State required certifications necessary for employment, and the range of careers available in the water and wastewater industry. Participants can meet instructors and current students and ask questions.

Young said instructors will discuss the program and what students will learn. “We’re training people in the knowledge they will need to pass their state certifications, and we’re very successful at that,” explains Young.

To RSVP, send an email to or .

Meaningful Job Opportunities

The Center offers seven degree programs with certificate and two-year degree options. Young says specialties include water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, backflow and cross-connection control, and water resources management.

Recently, the Center added an advanced water treatment program, which will prepare individuals for jobs at facilities such as Pure Water San Diego or the East County Advanced Water Project.

A career in the growing water industry presents an opportunity to pursue a very rewarding career while protecting the environment and serving the community in an essential role.

Skilled water professionals are in high demand as the current workforce ages. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), water and wastewater agencies employ more than 60,000 workers statewide, including 5,000 in San Diego County. The Water Research Foundation anticipates one-third of the utilities workforce will retire over the next decade, offering numerous openings.

According to the BLS, wastewater treatment and system operators earn an average annual wage of $80,000 in California.

Partnerships With Local Water Agencies

Cuyamaca College’s Water & Wastewater Technology program is the oldest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the California Community Colleges system. Photo: CWEA

Cuyamaca College’s Water & Wastewater Technology program is the oldest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the California Community Colleges system. Photo: CWEA

Established in 1960, Cuyamaca College’s Water & Wastewater Technology program is the oldest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the California Community Colleges system. It has been educating the state’s water utility workforce for more than half a century.

Its innovative Field Operations Skills Yard provides students with practical challenges they will face in today’s complex water and wastewater facilities. Two labs give students hands-on training with backflow and cross-connection control and water quality lab analysis.

Members of the Cuyamaca College Water & Wastewater Technology Program Industry Advisory Committee include the San Diego County Water Authority, City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, Helix Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Sweetwater Authority, the City of Escondido Utilities Department, Olivenhain Municipal Water District and other agencies.

 

Veterans Career Day-Veterans Day-Work For Water-Military

Celebrating Veterans with a Career Day in Water

The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies recognize military veterans for their service and actively recruit vets to fill new career opportunities in the water and wastewater industry. The San Diego County region employs about 4,500 water and wastewater workers, many of whom have successfully transitioned from the military to a new career.

Water and wastewater career day

The Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College and San Diego County water agencies are hosting a free career day on January 19, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. for veterans looking to transition their careers into the water and wastewater industry. Many water agencies are hiring, and veterans have key skills needed to provide safe, reliable drinking water for San Diego communities.

Veterans will have the opportunity to meet water agency recruiters, learn about pay and benefits, and receive advice on different career pathways and fast-tracked educational opportunities. Registration is online at CenterforWaterStudies.org. The Water Authority is co-sponsoring the in-person event.

A transition to the water world

During a webinar hosted by the Water Authority, Leaders2020, and San Diego Green Drinks in October, Otay Water District General Manager Jose Martinez, a U.S. Navy veteran, spoke about his experience transitioning from the military to the water industry. One challenge Martinez faced was the difference in terminology used between the military and water industries.

As the Vice Chairperson of the American Water Works Association California/Nevada Veteran Engagement and Transition Committee, Martinez discussed the work being carried out to provide direct pipelines and pathways to the water industry. One such pipeline was Assembly Bill 1588, legislation championed by Otay Water District and the Water Authority that passed in 2019. The bill, sponsored by Todd Gloria and Adam Gray, provides experience and education credits toward State water and wastewater certifications.

Water Workforce Webinar

‘Silver tsunami’ of retirements in water industry

The opportunities for both transitioning servicemembers and local water agencies are significant. More than 30,000 service members separate from the military each year in California, and more than half are transitioning out of active duty in the San Diego region. Roughly half of the current water industry workforce in the San Diego region will be eligible to retire in the next 15 years – and approximately 1,400 water and wastewater industry jobs are expected to open in the region in the next five years.

In October 2020, The Water Authority and its 24 member agencies launched a new website – SanDiegoWaterWorks.org – that provides the first comprehensive posting of regional water and wastewater industry job openings in one location. The San Diego Water Works website includes:

  • Current water and wastewater job postings in the San Diego region
  • Training and education resources, career advice and internship programs
  • Featured jobs that highlight rewarding careers in the water industry
  • Information about special training programs and internships for military veterans
  • Tips and resources for transitioning military

San Diego Water Works Website

(Editor’s note: For a story about the successful transition of military veterans to the water and wastewater industry, including a video of a USMC veteran working for the Vallecitos Water District, one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region, go to: waternewsnetwork.com/veterans-serving-public-in-water-industry-careers/)