Apprenticeship Program

Apply Today

Water and Wastewater Systems Operation Specialists are in HIGH DEMAND

The program is open to anyone currently employed or seeking employment in the water or wastewater service industry.

This new two-year program covers 4,000 on-the-job learning (OJL) hours and 288 related classroom instruction hours. Apprentices must be employed by a Virginia water utility to satisfy OJL hours.

Applications for the Water or Wastewater Systems Operation Specialist Apprenticeship will be accepted on a rolling, year-round basis.

Highly skilled wastewater professionals are responsible for removing pollutants and other harmful materials from wastewater, making it safe to return to the environment and protecting the health of the community. Well-trained specialists are needed to keep up with stringent regulatory standards and to maintain and replace standards and to maintain and replace aging infrastructure.

Wastewater System Operation Specialist Related Classroom Instruction Includes:

Introduction to wastewater training

Operators mathematics

Safety

Preliminary, primary and secondary wastewater treatment

Disinfection

Lagoon systems

Laboratory procedures and chemistry

Plant maintenance and safety

Utility management certification

Activated sludge

SCADA computer systems

Analysis and presentation of data

Solids management

Odor control

Wastewater reclamation and reuse

Highly skilled water professionals are responsible for the supply of safe drinking water, meeting stringent regulatory standards, replacing aging infrastructure and responding to and recovering from disasters.

Water System Operation Specialist Related Classroom Instruction Includes:

Orientation and professional requirements

Operators mathematics

Safety

Security and emergency response

Laws and regulations

Distribution systems

Distribution O&M

Sources of water

Water treatment

Utility management certification

ASSE backflow

For more information, contact -

Betty Green

434-390-3757

bgreen@vrwa.org

Minimum Qualifications

Age - 18yrs or older

Education - high school diploma or equivalency

Physical - physically capable of performing essential functions with or without reasonable accomodations and without threat to health and safety of self or others

Upon acceptance to program and prior to employment

Drug screening - take and pass drug screening

Background check - pass a qualifying background investigation

Driver’s license - must possess a valid state issued vehicle operator license and be insurable at normal commercial rates

VRWA will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years old or older. VRWA will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.