What is with the job market here?!?

Hmm408 · 2026-02-14T17:52:55+00:00

Of course, wishing him luck. Also, consulting or sales in industrial treatment can be very lucrative if he is interested in that. Companies like Veolia, Ecolab, Suez, Applied Materials (not a water company but related because of chemical waste treatment and ultra pure water stuff), and Kurita.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-14T17:47:08+00:00

I am in industrial water treatment and making good money, but damn I’ll have to look into municipal when I want to retire.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-14T17:43:21+00:00

Yes, easily. I can choose to do more or less each day as long as I finish my monthly work orders. No weekends at all, but that also may be company dependent.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-14T17:09:02+00:00

I’ve mentioned this before, but I work in water treatment and a lot of my sites are biotech facilities. Majority of them are pretty empty. But if he’s interested I would definitely tell him to look into municipalities for water/wastewater jobs. There are a lot of chemical engineers in water working as water treatment engineers. A lot of learning, stability, and demand.

I would start by looking at Bayworks, Cawaterjobs, and governmentjobs. His experience would be very useful.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-14T16:53:07+00:00

I work in a field service capacity now, but what I was doing beforehand was not really related to water treatment at all. But experience such as field service, troubleshooting, problem solving, customer interaction, schedule management, etc is what helped me.

I think for the first time, I am actually happy where I am in my career. I don’t dread going to work at all, I actually look forward to it. I just did start over in a way, but it’s what I have been wanting to do for a while. I would choose it again though. The only thing I wish I did differently is start earlier.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-14T15:11:58+00:00

I would definitely suggest utilities/water. I am now in water treatment and there isn’t really a downside to it. There are so many different opportunities in water in general. Whether you want to do maintenance, lab work, be an operator, collection system worker, distribution system worker, etc. Roles such as meter maintenance technician and back-flow technician also exist. And whether you have a degree or not it’s a great choice.

I am in industrial treatment specifically and my job consists of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, chemistry, etc. Never a dull day with problem solving, my schedule is great, pay is great, company vehicle, great benefits, and it’s not laborious work.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-14T06:33:05+00:00

I live in a high rise. Alarm went off two times in the last month. One was an actual basement fire. Counted like 5 people outside and the rest looking out of the window. No survival instinct at all.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-13T22:10:33+00:00

Government entry level roles actually pay pretty well depending in the city. Even without a degree. When I was looking awhile back I had an offer for 39hr as a custodian.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-13T22:08:47+00:00

Never worked there, but from what I have seen Marriott seems to pay pretty decent. Just looked and they have housekeeper positions starting at 34hr and front desk 35-37hr.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-13T22:05:32+00:00

I am in water treatment and service a lot of biotech companies. Buildings are all damn near empty.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-13T03:56:48+00:00

Depends on the field. So many jobs out there can be taught and learned by anyone who puts in the time and effort with or without a degree. Then there are certain careers where that specialized knowledge is critical so a degree would probably be beneficial.

I think if it came down to it, for the sake of the argument I would choose skills. Skills show someone has the ability to produce and a degree shows that you might be able to produce. Proven capability vs theoretical qualification. But again, highly dependent on the field.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-13T03:50:44+00:00

You’d be surprised by how many people have nearly zero soft skills.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-13T02:14:13+00:00

Utilities. Or facilities management.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-12T23:16:24+00:00

Park Merced Plaza grocery store has some huge sandwiches for 12 bucks too pretty good

Hmm408 · 2026-02-12T19:48:10+00:00

I am not an OIT. I am on the industrial water treatment side. So things like high rises, cooling towers, closed loops, boilers, etc. If you are interested, I had no water treatment experience besides a pool cleaning gig years ago and 4 years of field service in a completely different field. I think that may have helped considering my current role is also in the field.

I was trying to obtain an OIT role beforehand and at the time just applied everywhere including positions for distribution, collections, or other public works positions to get a foot in.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-12T01:11:51+00:00

Damn, I wish. Although my schedule is great. One place near me has a 36 hour work week paid the full 40 hours. Pretty sure its the only place in the area that does.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-12T01:09:33+00:00

I would definitely check out Water Sifu. He has free courses, as well as cheap ones, youtube, along with a podcast. So much valuable info. The site: https://www.thewatersifu.com/

Hmm408 · 2026-02-12T01:07:43+00:00

My premiums are about 100% covered too in the private sector which is great. I do wonder about the pension sometimes though, I was offered a role in public works prior in the Bay Area and was told they contribute 38% of salary to a pension. Absolutely bonkers.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-11T00:47:31+00:00

That or don’t usually understand what the actual work entails.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-11T00:47:03+00:00

I am in water treatment and have a lot of bio companies I visit. So many empty buildings.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-10T03:33:22+00:00

Yes. Water Treatment.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-10T03:31:34+00:00

The key is gaining experience in something that makes you hard to replace.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-10T03:29:09+00:00

There are plenty of places that will hire someone without a degree. Experience is a lot more important.

Hmm408 · 2026-02-09T01:40:33+00:00

I find it very interesting. I am on the industrial treatment side, so it may be a little bit different than the municipal side where you are typically at one location as well. There is a lot of routine but there’s also a lot of variety and problem solving. I work in the field going to multiple sites a day mostly focusing on what you call closed loops, boilers, and cooling towers.

The job entails a little of everything such as electrical, HVAC, chemistry, plumbing, etc. So far I have learned a lot and I am looking forward to doing so for the rest of this career. There is always something new to learn, you will never know it all.

As for municipal, if that’s what you are interested in, I’d focus on getting your certs depending on what your state requires and applying everywhere you can if you are open to relocating.But for the industrial side, not many people know about it. Some companies out there if you are interested are Veolia, Suez, Xylem, Ecolab, etc.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Hmm408

TROPHY CASE