Careers in clean water

Let’s face it, when you think of Green Jobs or STEM careers, you don’t immediately think of jobs involving wastewater. But wastewater jobs are all about keeping our water resources clean for now and the future. Each year, our utility’s education team introduces local youth and college students to careers that keep our water clean. This year due to Covid-19, the programs may look a little different, but trust us, they are well worth the time spent in front of a screen!

Clean Water Virtual Career Events

Three online career events in 2021 will introduce students to the variety of careers available that help keep our water clean.  In each career event, students will participate in three informational sessions with professionals in a variety of careers. The sessions will be interactive and include time for students to ask questions.  Examples of careers that will be represented include:  

• Environmental & Civil Engineers 
• Water Quality Scientist
• Treatment Plant Operator
• Community Relations Specialist 
• Project Manager
• Maintenance Mechanic

Saturday, March 27:  10:00a.m. – 12:30p.m.

Saturday, April 10:  10:00a.m. – 12:30p.m.

Saturday, April 24:  10:00a.m. – 12:30p.m.

Click the links above to register! Each event will have different professionals attending so students can participate in multiple events. 

Classroom Career Lessons

Schedule an education specialist to hold a live session with your students to take them through the wide variety of careers available within wastewater. Keeping waterways healthy within an urban environment is critical work, yet extremely challenging.  From engineers to educators to electricians, it takes many types of jobs and skills to make it happen. 

Register here or contact kristin.covey@kingcounty.gov for program questions.

Clean Water Ambassador Certificate Program

This Clean Water Ambassador Certificate Program will run for four weeks this summer and is open to teens (age 15-18) in the King County region. During the month of July, youth participants meet online and learn about water systems, sustainability, climate change, watershed ecology, and environmental justice. Over the month, participants will also learn about careers and meet with local environmental professionals who will share their areas of expertise and career journeys.

For more information about the program and other internship opportunities, go to

https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/wastewater/education/internships.aspx

Quotes from last summer’s participants

“This program definitely changed my perspective of the importance and complexity of the current water system. On top of the overall benefit of gaining so much amazing information about water, climate change, water life, and sustainability, I also increased my public speaking skills during this workshop. I feel more connected to the environment now that I have participated in this program.” – Yubi

“This program helped emphasize how environmentalism is so integrated with social justice issues, especially in recognizing the impacts of settlers on indigenous land.” – Katrina

“Every day was filled with insight and passion, and each lesson was focused and clear. The most memorable topic for me was water systems; I was able to track where my water came from, treatments used, the people it supplies, the cost, and where it flows from the drains of my house.” – Julia

“I have so much more knowledge and understanding on how important our environment really is. The best part of this experience is seeing so many teens wanting to make a change like me and working together to develop our own plans on how to make that change for our future and the futures to come. I’ve developed more confidence, understanding, knowledge, and so much more from this program and I wish I was able to meet all of you wonderful people in person.” – Chloe

To find out more about all of our education programs, resources and offerings go to:

https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/wastewater/education.aspx