Tag Archives: On-the-job training

Will Work for Water: California Water Associations Launch Recruitment Website

July 26, 2018

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Will Work for Water Featured

Forget heading to California to find gold. Today, clean water internships in the state can provide a wealth of experience. This spring, the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) joined other associations to launch CAWaterInterns.org, a clearinghouse where job-seekers can find information on internships, apprenticeships, and operator-in-training opportunities at water and wastewater facilities in the state. […]

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Georgia County Develops Specialized Training To Fit Its Utility’s Needs

March 26, 2018

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GC Yellow River Featured

When it comes to training operators in wastewater treatment, one size does not fit all. Gwinnett County, Ga., figured this out in 2014 when it set a new goal to become a “utility of the future.” This process began with assessing the utility’s status by looking at its existing facilities and treatment processes, such as […]

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Virginia’s Operators Prepare for MACT Rule at WEFMAX

May 29, 2015

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Mark Feltner, environmental scientist at HRSD (Virginia Beach, Va.), provides a review of Virginia operator training and qualification requirements during a WEFMAX meeting. WEF photo/Lisa McFadden.

On April 15, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD; Virginia Beach, Va.) hosted a training event during a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) WEFMAX meeting. In order to attend this training event, operators had to meet set criteria under the operator training and qualification (OT&Q) requirements set by the sewage sludge incinerators (SSI) maximum-achievable […]

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Growing the Workforce: Where Are They Now?

July 9, 2014

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From left, former interns and current Groton (Conn.) Water Pollution Control Authority employees Kelsey Reeves and Eric Melanson work on a geothermal heater. Photo courtesy Kevin Cini, chief plant operator for the City of Groton.

Internships translate into jobs and more   Can a water-focused internship or a scholarship steer high school students to successful careers in the water sector? The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) asked some former students who have been there and done just that. High school students transition into water jobs Take Eric Melanson, who […]

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Growing the Water Sector Workforce: Providing Experience

June 26, 2014

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Reeves works on rerouting stromwater piping. Photo courtesy of Reeves.

High school internships lure students into the industry   Let’s face it: To the average high school junior, the thought of building submarines rates significantly higher on the coolness scale than the thought of operating a water resource recovery facility (WRRF). And Kevin Cini knew it. That fact became even more abundantly clear 10 years […]

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New Operator Programs, Change Is in the Air

January 16, 2014

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Photo courtesy of John Seldon.

John Seldon, WEF Member and Founder of Temporary Operations and Maintenance Inc.   John Seldon, a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) member since 1980, is founder and president of Temporary Operations and Maintenance Inc. (Port Burwell, Ontario) and a principal of Envir-O-Site Inc. (Sarnia, Ontario). During his career, Seldon has focused on optimizing municipal […]

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Employer Requirements for Wastewater Operators

November 15, 2013

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Photo courtesy of John Seldon.

John Seldon, WEF Member and Founder of Temporary Operations and Maintenance Inc. John Seldon, a Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) member since 1980, is founder and president of Temporary Operations and Maintenance Inc. (Port Burwell, Ontario) and a principal of Envir-O-Site Inc. (Sarnia, Ontario). During his career, Seldon has focused on optimizing municipal and […]

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U.S. Department of Labor Approves Guidelines for Wastewater Operator Apprenticeship

February 28, 2013

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Photo courtesy of Owen Smith, program and policy analyst in the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.

WEF developed apprenticeship standards that provide pathway into the profession Evidence of commitment to operators by the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) continues to grow. In 2010, WEF launched its Operator Initiative to provide knowledge and services to wastewater systems operations personnel. As part of this initiative, WEF has obtained U.S. Department of Labor […]

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