A major goal of the course will be to prepare students to become certified through the state and work for public water systems. Once certified and employed, jobs in the industry range from laborers installing water piping to water treatment professionals maintaining filtration units and other computerized water treatment systems.
As a result of baby boomers retiring, there is a shortage of water operators in the US, and particularly in California. To become certified at the entry level one, passage of a written exam and a high school diploma are required.
The Yuba College course is designed to prepare students to take this state test, and will also allow students to take the level two examination. For more information, please visit the Department of Public Health web site at: http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/occupations/Pages/DWopcert.aspx.
The class offered this fall will emphasize drinking water distribution systems, and will cover topics ranging from installation of pipe to the scientific effect a variety of factors can have on water quality.
Although this class will be an informative resource on public water systems, the primary goal will be to help students pass the state exam, and to provide continuing education for existing operators. Based on student interest and demand, the college will be providing another course next spring for water treatment operators.
The course instructor is John Hamner with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation. Hamner has been helping operators become state certified for nine years. For further information you can contact John Hamner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Summer and fall registration begins May 6 for continuing students, and May 12 and 13 for returning and new students.
Operators already state certified in the field may utilize this course toward continuing education, a requirement of certified operators.
A grant program is available for students already employed in the field, whether paid or on a volunteer basis. The grant program can pay for all costs involved in taking this course and for becoming certified as a water operator. Grant program requirements stipulate that the student must work for a public water system serving less than a population of 3,300. For more information please visit: http://www.cps.ca.gov/tlc/sws/index.asp.
Anyone looking for a career in the drinking water field should consider this short-term training program. With a bit of effort and study students can be prepared to take the required state examinations that will allow them to enter a field that has a growing shortage of qualified candidates to fill the number of open positions available.
In addition to working for a city or town, water operator certification can also be required for many other jobs such as park rangers, school janitors, mobile home park managers and vineyard workers to name just a few.
Please contact Yuba College, Clear Lake Campus at 995-7900, or instructor John Hamner directly for further information.
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