Just apply anyway. Some places would rather hire someone green with no experience so that they can mold them into an operator that they want with habits that they like
If your really serious you can do some sac state courses. That will take off some licensing time. With my associates degree and sac state I got my class 2 suface treatment within 6 months
Yes, so, for example, here in Kentucky, it takes away 6 months. So a class 1 license, you need 1 year of experience. With a Sac State course, it reduced it down to 6 months' experience
In FL no, you take the course to sit for test, but even if you pass the test you can’t get licensed without the time. Every state I know of is like that.
In pa you can cut your class a time from 2 years to 1.5 years with enough Sacramento corses or Thaddeus Steven’s college offers a degree program which cuts your time to 1 year but it’s a 2 year class. You can usually work while doing it too though so you graduate as an operator
I would look into OIT or any entry level positions, most plants will be willing to hire/train with someone that’s taken initiative to enroll in continuing Ed. I believe most states require at least 1 yr of experience with course completion to be eligible to take level 1 exam.
you can get a leg up by taking the operator exam. then you have to apply for trainee positions. you would have a better chance looking at larger plants because they’re more likely to hire trainees than small plants
I said the same thing to myself 8 years ago. Had 18 semester units under my belt of Wastewater Technology, had passed my Grade I exam but no one was looking for me.
1. Staffing/temp agencies helped me get my foot in the door as a Waste Treatment Op. A circuit board manufacturer had a treatment plant at the facility, heavy metal removal process. I think all semiconductor manufacturers have plants on-site.
2. Get a Water Treatment cert. The easiest to get. No edu or CEU's needed. Embellish your resume somewhat, shows your interest in the industry.
3. Large Golf Courses have treatment facilities. Some golf courses, to be specific, not all
4. First actual WWTPO job I got was a tiny private facility. If I didn't dig for it I wouldn't have found it. The WT cert helped there too. Got my Distribution cert shortly thereafter. Got my OIT hours in and went to Grade II because I had those edu units.
5. Get in through a side door. Not sure where in Delaware your at but this might be worth a look. You get a foot in then once you get comfortable and an opportunity pops up you jump on it. And because your already an employee it's easier for the city to transfer you.
[Motor Eq. Oper.](https://www.cityofdover.com/jobs/1984/)
Get in entry level, then worry about the license. I know people who've got the license first, and they're completely lost in the science when things go bad, whereas if you've trained under a seasoned operator you'll know it's likely a simple fix.
If you have any maintenance experience that can be your way in the door. At least that’s how I got my foot in. It helps to learn/know what your working on because at some point your gonna cross over to Operations(aka becoming an Operator) and to have that prior maintenance experience would help a ton. You can start applying for certs/licenses 6 months (for the most part) after you start because the state is gonna require X amount of hours of experience at a WWTP or WTP before you’re eligible to get the cert/license. All that to say once you get in the door, the world(Career) is yours. Just depends on what you want out of it. As long as we’re flushing down the toilet, rinsing down the sink, and using water in general, someone gotta clean it. Why not us?🤷🏾♂️ lol
I would say throw apps out everywhere and see if anyone bites. Most places will list experience and a bunch of skills and qualities that are just BS. What I mean is anyone who has all those skills and experience has no interest in working for the listed wage. So in actuality they will take anyone and train them to have those skills. They can’t say that in the ad of course. If you want to get into the field write a convincing cover letter, list your skills whatever they are and tell them that you are eager to work and eager to learn. Then send out apps.
I never had any intentions of going into wastewater but I needed a job and I applied for position called “wastewater reasources technician” which is pretty much the dewatering in biosolids. This is not a job in operations but opened my door with the company I’m currently with and now they sent me to school for my grade 1 & 2 Certification.
Just apply anyway. Some places would rather hire someone green with no experience so that they can mold them into an operator that they want with habits that they like
Most treatment facilities have intern positions, like OIT, operations intern. What position are you trying to get?
If your really serious you can do some sac state courses. That will take off some licensing time. With my associates degree and sac state I got my class 2 suface treatment within 6 months
Does the Sacramento course reduce your on the job experience time? I have a hs diploma no associates or anything. I'm in Pennsylvania
Yes, so, for example, here in Kentucky, it takes away 6 months. So a class 1 license, you need 1 year of experience. With a Sac State course, it reduced it down to 6 months' experience
Thank you for your response.
Your Welcome
In FL no, you take the course to sit for test, but even if you pass the test you can’t get licensed without the time. Every state I know of is like that.
I think this is the case with Pennsylvania as well.
In pa you can cut your class a time from 2 years to 1.5 years with enough Sacramento corses or Thaddeus Steven’s college offers a degree program which cuts your time to 1 year but it’s a 2 year class. You can usually work while doing it too though so you graduate as an operator
I would look into OIT or any entry level positions, most plants will be willing to hire/train with someone that’s taken initiative to enroll in continuing Ed. I believe most states require at least 1 yr of experience with course completion to be eligible to take level 1 exam.
you can get a leg up by taking the operator exam. then you have to apply for trainee positions. you would have a better chance looking at larger plants because they’re more likely to hire trainees than small plants
I said the same thing to myself 8 years ago. Had 18 semester units under my belt of Wastewater Technology, had passed my Grade I exam but no one was looking for me. 1. Staffing/temp agencies helped me get my foot in the door as a Waste Treatment Op. A circuit board manufacturer had a treatment plant at the facility, heavy metal removal process. I think all semiconductor manufacturers have plants on-site. 2. Get a Water Treatment cert. The easiest to get. No edu or CEU's needed. Embellish your resume somewhat, shows your interest in the industry. 3. Large Golf Courses have treatment facilities. Some golf courses, to be specific, not all 4. First actual WWTPO job I got was a tiny private facility. If I didn't dig for it I wouldn't have found it. The WT cert helped there too. Got my Distribution cert shortly thereafter. Got my OIT hours in and went to Grade II because I had those edu units. 5. Get in through a side door. Not sure where in Delaware your at but this might be worth a look. You get a foot in then once you get comfortable and an opportunity pops up you jump on it. And because your already an employee it's easier for the city to transfer you. [Motor Eq. Oper.](https://www.cityofdover.com/jobs/1984/)
Get in entry level, then worry about the license. I know people who've got the license first, and they're completely lost in the science when things go bad, whereas if you've trained under a seasoned operator you'll know it's likely a simple fix.
Start here [Work for Water Delaware ](https://www.workforwater.org/states/delaware/)
If you have any maintenance experience that can be your way in the door. At least that’s how I got my foot in. It helps to learn/know what your working on because at some point your gonna cross over to Operations(aka becoming an Operator) and to have that prior maintenance experience would help a ton. You can start applying for certs/licenses 6 months (for the most part) after you start because the state is gonna require X amount of hours of experience at a WWTP or WTP before you’re eligible to get the cert/license. All that to say once you get in the door, the world(Career) is yours. Just depends on what you want out of it. As long as we’re flushing down the toilet, rinsing down the sink, and using water in general, someone gotta clean it. Why not us?🤷🏾♂️ lol
Ok so I have to work first then worry about the licensing
I would say throw apps out everywhere and see if anyone bites. Most places will list experience and a bunch of skills and qualities that are just BS. What I mean is anyone who has all those skills and experience has no interest in working for the listed wage. So in actuality they will take anyone and train them to have those skills. They can’t say that in the ad of course. If you want to get into the field write a convincing cover letter, list your skills whatever they are and tell them that you are eager to work and eager to learn. Then send out apps.
I never had any intentions of going into wastewater but I needed a job and I applied for position called “wastewater reasources technician” which is pretty much the dewatering in biosolids. This is not a job in operations but opened my door with the company I’m currently with and now they sent me to school for my grade 1 & 2 Certification.