Today, the water utility industry offers many opportunities for building a career. Delivering high quality, safe drinking water will continue to be a priority for the future. Water is the key to virtually all living things so why not choose a career that will make an important contribution to life itself.
The water industry is a rapidly changing industry and over the years has opened up a vast array of careers for the future. Some careers in the water industry require a high school diploma and on-the-job training, others require specific training and certification and many require advanced college degrees in specialized fields. Below are some of the most common jobs associated with water utilities.
Accountants
Handle payroll, accounts payable, financial statements, bond issues and investments.
Engineers
Design the construction of the water supply systems.
Meter Readers
Install meters, read and record usage and for utilities that have an automatic meter reading program, the meter readers use a computer to record usage.
Scientists
May study water supplies, collect and analyze water samples and do other research.
Computer Programmer/Analysts
Develop computer systems for databases, which include customer data, water quality data and water utility system data.
Environmentalists
Help protect water from pollution and waste.
Plant Operators
Operate and monitor the equipment that treats the water. The equipment includes computers, pumps and valves.
Utility Managers
Oversee the entire operation of a water utility.
Customer Service Representatives
Assist with customer billing questions, arrange for service calls, help resolve customer problems, generate bills and process payments.
Human Resource Specialists
Handle hiring and training issues, wages, benefits and labor relations.
Public Relations Specialists
The communicators for the utility. They educate the customers, get involved with the communities and are the spokesperson for the utility.
Utility Personnel
Install, maintain and repair the distribution systems that move the water from the source to the customers. They also investigate leaks and read blueprints.
The following is a list of other careers associated with the water industry:
- Agricultural Engineer
- AM/FM GIS Personnel
- Biologist
- Biosolids Specialist
- Botanist
- Chemist
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Conservationist
- Ecologist
- Environmental Attorney
- Environmental Chemist
- Environmental Educators
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Scientist
- Geologist
- Groundwater Technician
- Health Dept. Employee
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Hydraulic Engineer
- Hydrogeologist
- Information Systems
- Investor Relations
- Laboratory Technician
- Microbiologist
- Pumping Equipment Technician
- Regulatory Compliance
- SCADA Technician
- Water Quality Technician
- Water Resources Engineer