Linn-Benton Community College Offers Quick Pathway into Water

January 28, 2017

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Students in the Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC; Albany, Ore.) Environmental Technology Department learn laboratory skills to prepare them to enter public works positions that include water and wastewater treatment. Photo courtesy of the LBCC Advancement Office.

Students in the Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC; Albany, Ore.) Environmental Technology Department learn laboratory skills to prepare them to enter public works positions that include water and wastewater treatment. Photo courtesy of the LBCC Advancement Office.

Aspiring water and wastewater treatment operators, environmental technicians, and other public works employees in northwestern Oregon can turn to Linn-Benton Community College (Albany, Ore.) to give their careers a kickstart.

The college’s Environmental Technology Department offers a 2-year associate of applied science degree in water, environment, and technology, as well as short-term career-path certificate programs in the areas of

  • public works,
  • wastewater technology,
  • water treatment, and
  • advanced water technology.
Dawna Laetzsch, graduate from LBCC with a degree in water, environment, and technology, tests a water sample at the water treatment facility in Wilsonville, Ore., where she works as a water treatment technician. Photo courtesy of the LBCC Advancement Office.

Dawna Laetzsch, graduate from LBCC with a degree in water, environment, and technology, tests a water sample at the water treatment facility in Wilsonville, Ore., where she works as a water treatment technician. Photo courtesy of the LBCC Advancement Office.

The short-term certificate programs require 21 to 26 credits and take 16 weeks to 1 year to complete. These state-approved programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level employment anywhere in Oregon. The programs and courses include workplace training, job search skills, and a clinical component where students make connections and gain experience in the sector.

Coursework covers everything from water distribution and stormwater systems maintenance to applications for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Students also gain knowledge of city government and infrastructure, as well as equipment maintenance. A complete list of required classes is available online.

The college offers both a 2-year associate of applied science degree as well as certificate programs to prepare students for entry-level public works positions throughout Oregon. Photo courtesy of the LBCC Advancement Office.

The college offers both a 2-year associate of applied science degree as well as certificate programs to prepare students for entry-level public works positions throughout Oregon. Photo courtesy of the LBCC Advancement Office.

Residents of Oregon, California, Idaho, Washington, and Nevada qualify for Linn-Benton’s in-state rate of $107 per credit hour. Residents of other states pay the out-of-state rate of $238.50 per credit hour. Scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid are available. Those interested can apply for admission and register for classes online.

— Mary Bufe, WEF Highlights

Water and Wastewater Training Opportunities Featured in WEF Highlights

Whether you are a wastewater veteran in search of an online continuing education course or an entry-level employee aspiring to enter the water sector, colleges and universities across the country now offer coursework designed to help. The key is to find the program that works for you.

Stay tuned to WEF Highlights for articles featuring these programs. Find the articles by searching for the keyword TrainingCourses.

Know a program that you’d like to share? Send it to Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights editor, at jfulcher@wef.org.

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