Work and Training Opportunities Abound in Local Water and Wastewater Industry

March 18, 2020

The San Diego region’s water and wastewater agencies have developed several pathways to jobs in the water and wastewater industry, and they are seeking qualified small businesses to bid on a variety of projects. Public agencies like the Water Authority and its 24 members play an important role in the region, both in terms of employment and providing critical services to support 3.3 million residents.

Employment

With approximately 1,400 water and wastewater jobs expected to open up across San Diego County in the next five years due to retirements, the industry offers promising opportunities. Go to www.sdcwa.org/careers for information about job openings around the region. Also, follow the Water Authority and its member agencies on social media to learn more about quality job opportunities that provide a public service.

The Water Authority and the Otay Water District in 2019 co-sponsored successful state legislation that created a pathway for veterans to receive credit for their education and experience in the military.

Education

The San Diego region is home to several training and education programs for students seeking water-related careers or people who already are in the industry and want to advance.

Contracting

The Water Authority’s Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunities Program (SCOOP) is designed to maximize small business participation on contracts and procurements through networking, training, and technical assistance.

The Water Authority’s Sheltered Market Program designates competition for certain contracts to small, registered and certified businesses. The program applies to procurements between $10,000 and $150,000 for which there is a competitive pool of three or more small businesses in the Water Authority’s online vendor registration and solicitation system.