Water Quality Technician

Pathway Certificate

Program Mission

The Water Quality Technician Pathway Certificate prepares students with the foundational knowledge and skills in Water Quality Operations.

Right: Watch a Water Quality Success Story video
with UCC Graduate Corey Heath.

Program Description

The Water Quality Pathway Certificate provides introductory coursework for entry-level positions as water and wastewater operators, and to prepare for taking the Level I certification exam. The water quality technology classes in the certificate are found in the Civil Engineering & Surveying Technology, AAS degree.

Program Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the Pathway Certificate in Water Quality will:

1. Demonstrate operating principles of a range of unit processes for environmental control
2. Obtain ABET Accreditation

The required courses for the pathways certificate are included in the two-year AAS program for Civil Engineering and Surveying Technology, Applied Water Quality Option. Students completing the water quality pathways certificate may continue with the two-year AAS, if desired.

Ready to get started?

It's easy and only requires TWO steps.

Step 1

Fill out our request info form. This will alert us that you are interested in the Engineering programs.

Step 2

If you are new to UCC (you've never taken a class), apply to UCC. Otherwise, you are done for now. You will be contacted about the next steps.

Careers

All public water and wastewater systems must be piped and treated to federal and state standards under the supervision of certified operators. Water quality operators are employed in virtually every community in Oregon and throughout the nation. The number of operators is stable; funding is typically through monthly user rates (stable funding) and trained operators are required to protect public health and the environment. The majority of job openings projected in the near future are replacement positions, to replace operators that will either retire, be promoted, or move to other locations.

The median salary for Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plan Operators is listed as $39,800 according to the Oregon Employment Department.

There are also multiple career pathways for people with water quality backgrounds. Examples of some related careers are available on the Oregon Labor Market Information web site.

Occupational Skills Training

This program is available in an Occupational Skills Training format that is designed to mix school classes and on-the-job training with a potential employer. It’s great for hands-on learners! Individualized training plans are developed in consultation with the student, UCC faculty, UCC advisor, and the work site trainer.
Find out more.

Water Quality - Professional Development

View / Download information about Certifications, Testing, Online Courses & Continuing Education Units (CEU)

Program Publications

Occupational Skills Training

View / Download advising information for Engineering Technology: Occupational Skills Training Certificate Options

Other Degrees & Certificates at UCC

• Civil Engineering and Surveying Technology: AAS
• Engineering and Drafting Technician: One-year Certificate
• Drafting Pathway Certificate
• Surveying & Geomatics: AS
• Surveying Pathway Certificate

 

Contact

 

Wayne Fischer - Contact
Assistant Professor, Engineering
Phone: 541-440-4683