JUMP! Into Your Future Career In Wastewater Brought to you by the Water Environment Federation and the American Water Works Association Adapted from Jump! Into Your Future Career in Water – Water Environment Federation

How important is wastewater to you? How important is wastewater to their lives now. Have you considered the impact water has on their life everyday? From the food that is grown to the clothes on their bodies to the air they breathe, water is the purist source of life that impacts EVERYTHING we do.

Did you know about H2O? Your Water Footprint Human body is 60% water! To “grow” a hamburger it takes 4,000 – 18,000 gallons! Human body is 60% water! Your Water Footprint Some interesting facts about water and the global shortage. Did you know? All known forms of life depends on water, in fact, your entire body is made up of 60% water; -your brains are 75% water, -your bones are 25% water, and -your blood is 83% water. Did you know 43 countries face a chronic drinking water shortage today? Even places in the U.S. have water issues like El Paso and San Antonio, Texas could run out of water in the next 10 to 20 years and Central Florida could run out in less than 5 years. Los Angeles could run out of water in 2025 due to increases in population over the next few years. Finally, did you know a person can live for a month without food but only about a week without water? Water footprint – determines a person’s total gallons of water used everyday. For example, your water footprint tracks everything you consume, everything you wear, and everything you do. Refer to slide examples. To “grow” a shirt it takes 700 gallons! Single load of laundry takes 40 gallons!

What’s cool about H20 careers? Water industry is ever-changing Ground-breaking technology advancements Need for new water leaders Making a difference in the world...EVERYDAY! Choosing a career in wastewater can be one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to earn a living in the future. The wastewater industry is flooding with endless opportunities especially for young talent. With so many people in demand for wastewater, there is a limited supply of people willing to work for it. This is where you all come in! Working in wastewater is cool because there is a high-demand for new leaders to be the face of the water industry.

Which way do I flow? EVERY career path should begin with training! *Engineering Policy & Planning Organizational Services Science & Environment Communication & Education *Operational Maintenance Trades Pick a career path! Wastewater works for EVERYONE! We ALL depend on water to live and downstream users are depending on ALL of us to return clean treated wastewater to the river to keep it flowing. Professionally, the wastewater industry is looking for problem solvers, leaders, team players, creative thinkers, and dependable people. Academically, we are looking for people who have excelled in mathematics, science, reading, writing, listening/speaking, and critical thinking. Personally, we are looking for people who are motivated, (who have) integrity, flexible/adapt, reliable. Most jobs in the wastewater industry require higher education and some require certification as well. However, there are other positions that just require hands-on experience in the trade. It all depends on your career choice. Career areas: Engineering- Civil Engineer, Engineering Technician, Environmental Engineer; Organizational Services-Information Systems Programmer, Administrative Assistant, Human Resource Specialist, Attorney; Science & Environment-Laboratory Technician, Chemist, Microbiologist; Communication & Education- Public Affairs Representative, Education Resources Specialist, Public Information Specialist; Operation, Maintenance Trades- Electrician, Water & Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator, Construction Manager; Policy & Planning- Water Law, Government Relations Specialist, Urban/ Water Planner EVERY career path should begin with training!

The overflowing benefits Careers in wastewater are SECURE! Careers in wastewater have room for GROWTH! Careers in wastewater have COMPETITIVE salaries, benefits and more! A wastewater career is the best move because this industry will never run dry with jobs! We discussed earlier the importance of wastewater and in order for it to continue to flourish, it takes knowledgeable people to keep it flowing. Depending on your career choice in the wastewater industry, there will most likely be beneficial opportunities to travel to conferences, workshops or seminars as well. Each of these items are not only great places to increase your knowledge in skills as a future wastewater professional but it also a wonderful time to meet other wastewater professionals and learn how they are helping to improve the quality and quantity of water. -There has been a steady increase in job openings in wastewater especially in water/wastewater utility positions. The state of wastewater is constantly changing and the needs of the wastewater industry has created more jobs to meet these challenges. -As positions continue to open, there will also be room to grow into higher positions as well. With solid experience, you can eventually move into a leadership role in water. -Salaries in wastewater have been competitively aligned with the national averages of salaries in other industries.

Dive into a pool of opportunities NOW! Participate in wastewater related special events (World Water Monitoring Day, etc.) Suggest a wastewater awareness day at your school (like a Sewer Science Project or a Wastewater Spirit Day!) Shadow different wastewater professionals to find your “flow” Join or start a wastewater/environmental club at your school Participate in your school’s science fair (let your project be about wastewater)! It’s never too early to tap into your future! (Refer to the slide above for examples) There are plenty of ways you can jumpstart your career in wastewater like taking a field trip to your local wastewater utility with your science class or volunteer at your local wastewater utility or wastewater associations. Also, internships are a great way to get an up close and personal view of the wastewater business. Interning and volunteering are excellent opportunities to meet real wastewater professionals (or other future wastewater professionals like yourself) who could be a future contact to you when you start your wastewater career.

Where can I soak up more water information? There are numerous sites on the web with information on careers in wastewater. Here are a few: http://www.ehow.com/list_7576837_wastewater-careers.html http://www.ehow.com/list_5982071_careers-wastewater-management.html https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/environment-water-wastewater-treatment-plant-operators http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators.htm Work for Water.org website has information to inform and to encourage careers in the water and wastewater sector. Visit us at www.pueblo.us/wastewater

Recap: Water works for EVERYONE! Don’t forget about the importance of wastewater There are many career flows Bank on the benefits of stability and growth It’s never too early to make splashes now Students are encouraged to take a serious look at a career in wastewater.

Tapping into your sources Water Environment Federation, www.wef.org American Water Works Association, www.awwa.org Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.org U.S. Geological Survey, www.usgs.gov Work for Water, www.workforwater.org

Call City of Pueblo Water Reclamation Facility Questions? Call City of Pueblo Water Reclamation Facility for more information 719-553-2895 www.pueblo.us/wastewater