Water Treatment jobs
 

My brother in law is looking for a job in the water treatment industry and would like to specifically work in desalination since that's what he did in the Navy. Anyone know how to go about getting into the field? He would love to travel as well. He is currently without a job in the LA area as of tomorrow.

Is there any work to be had in Quatar, UAE, Kuwait...?? They seem too obvious but logical places for that work (at least to my simple mind).

Not familiar with the industry, but San Diego County is building the largest desalination plant in the western hemisphere. If he doesn't already know about that, he should investigate.

He has looked at SD but they aren't hiring outsiders yet.

Have a friend of mine working this sort of thing with Brown & Root. He has been over in Kosovo for a while now (like 10 years) and loves it there.

I hear Texas is getting into desal big time. Major water issues in Texas.

There is a desal plant in the Tampa area. It is a major FU. I think it is the first in the US.

First of all, he should not just be looking at desal.

Second, he would be looking at a long and rewarding profession. IMHO one of the best.

Have him check with the AWWA:

Operator Assistance - Professional and Technical Resources - AWWA

and the California Department of Health covers Licensing for water treatment:

He should also consider a water distribution system license as well.

Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution System Operators

BUT he should also not rule out wastewater.

State Water Resources Control Board

Good luck to him it is a very rewarding career. The best water engineers I ever met, were water treatment operators.

If he did it in the Navy aboard a ship then a cruise line may be a perfect fit for his prior experience.

Have him google water filtration manufactures. They are always looking for competent technicians that are willing to travel. Example-Power plant with steam turbines have the ultimate in water filtration/purification units. Water's got to be clean before it gets to the turbine. Lots of good money in that Field.

also consider jobs for Nalco, GE Betz and Chem Aqua - all good companies that do water treatment work in industry. Think boiler water - it has to be treated and the jobs pay well. Might be a good fit for him.

South Florida serves as the base for almost all desalination operations for the Caribbean...many islands don't have fresh water. When I lived in the Bahamas, the resort I was at used a huge desalanator for all water needs.
West Palm to Miami is a great place to start looking.

Is re-upping in the Navy a possibility?

Was wondering about that as well. Problem is with the crop of idiots in DC and the upcoming cuts in everything on the horizion, not sure how long it would last but sure would be an option.

He didn't want to re-up because he went into the Navy because he wanted to see the world, then they put him in a submarine. Don't see much under water.

Tell him to talk with them again. If he has a good background sure that they might find a surface position for him...