Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

The Apprentice Water/Wastewater Operator (AWWWO) engages in the sampling, installation, maintenance, repair, expansion, and location/relocation of water distribution and sewage facilities by performing the necessary tasks, personally, or in cooperation with other apprentices certified operators, and/or supervisors. The AWWWO also performs those assigned and related duties requisite to the repair and maintenance of tools, construction equipment, vehicles, and other machinery and equipment.

Timely, accurate, and legible record keeping and other reporting is imperative. The AWWWO receives additional safety and job skills training and is expected to exercise those skills taught, mature judgement, effective communications skills (both oral and written), time management/organizational skills, and a high degree of professionalism. All duties are carried out under the supervision of a certified water/wastewater operator. Successful completion of a 90-day probationary period and eventual attainment of a Grade 1 Certification results in reclassification as a Certified Water/Wastewater Operator.

Previous experience in water distribution or treatment is desirable, but candidates without such experience with histories of good mechanical work will be considered.

At minimum, a candidate must possess a high school diploma or GED. Candidates should also have a strong mechanical inclination: operators are expected to quickly pick up on the use of a variety of tools and the maintenance and operation of a variety of machines and vehicles. Candidates must also be able to handle the paperwork for legal compliance and internal tracking purposes. Candidates must be versatile and adaptable, and able to stay on task and work productively even when not directly supervised.

Candidates who stay with the company long enough will receive training in both water treatment and water distribution, and be compensated accordingly. Eventual promotion to a supervisory role is possible but not guaranteed. This position is flexible in its job duties, and operators may be expected to work in service areas or facilities other than their usual on a day to day basis as demanded by the company's needs.

Physical requirements of the job: Candidates must be able to lift fifty pounds regularly, respond quickly to sounds, move safely over uneven terrain, safely climb ladders while carrying thirty pounds, and wear personal protective gear correctly as needed. Candidates will be required to work outside a majority of their day and will therefore be exposed to the different weather conditions as well as possible bugs/critters, tall grass, mud, water, etc.

Driving of a company vehicle, weekend work and being on-call on a rotating basis, in-person customer service, responsiveness to emergency calls even when not the primary person on call, working as part of a team and individually, and occasional participation in educational events relevant to the company are all required.