Instrumentation & Controls Apprenticeship

Valley Water is launching an apprenticeship program to train two individuals in 2024 to become Instrumentation & Controls Technicians. It’s a great opportunity to learn a highly skilled trade while being paid a living wage, plus significant benefits. No prior experience is required.

This program involves rigorous training and will require high commitment. The apprenticeship is designed to last four years, with annual wage increases for apprentices as they master the trade. Apprentices will work full-time at Valley Water facilities while attending evening classes at the Mission College Mechatronics Program and receiving additional online instruction.

Valley Water’s apprenticeship program will be registered with the US Department of Labor in partnership with BAYWORK, a workforce consortium of water and wastewater utilities in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, BAYWORK.

Apprentice compensation begins at $87,459 per year: Regular increases bring compensation up to $109,324 after 8,000 hours of on-the-job training in the program. Apprentices also receive a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision. 

Upon completing the program, each apprentices will advance to the Instrumentation & Controls Technician II position.

What is an Instrumentation & Controls (I&C)Technician?

I&C Techs are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing a wide variety of electronic and electromechanical equipment that allows a modern water system to function safely and efficiently.  This includes sensory devices, control devices, and analytic systems that interface with them.

This is a challenging career that is in high demand.  As our facilities become more automated, technicians will need to maintain and repair the systems.

To learn more about the job of an Instrumentation & Controls Technician visit the BAYWORK website at https://www.baywork.org/career-path/electronic-maintenance-technicianinstrument-technician

Application Process

Applications will be available on the Valley Water jobs page during the week of February 5, 2024. Applicants must submit an online application and an official high school graduation transcript or equivalent. 

The selection process will include an evaluation of your high school transcript, interviews, and assessment tests. Applicants with relevant post-high school experience and knowledge may receive extra credit.

The apprenticeship is expected to begin in late May and community college classes will start in fall 2024.

To Learn More About This Apprenticeship

Valley Water will conduct two online information sessions for people interested in this apprenticeship. 

To participate, register with the following Zoom links and you will receive a personal link from Zoom to access the meeting.

• Information Session #1 https://valleywater.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAucO6orzgoGNHQKw25lMGZ_I…
• Information Session #2 https://valleywater.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcOCurT4uG92jaG4yfI-ace…

Eligibility

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade is required.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Applicants must submit high school & post-high school transcripts in the application process. 
• No experience required.
• Physical Conditions – Essential and other important functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time; ability to lift 50lbs.; audiovisual acuity; manual dexterity; moderate lifting; operating motorized equipment and vehicles, walking on uneven surfaces including hard terrains, uneven slopes, and inclined surfaces; stooping, pushing, pulling, squatting, crawling, twisting, kneeling, climbing, and bending at neck and waist; simple grasping; fine manipulation; power grasping; work above and below shoulder and in awkward positions.
• Environmental Conditions - Office and field environment; some positions require frequent field visits or occasional field assignments; travel from site to site; work closely with others or alone; exposure to electrical and radiant energy; irregular work hours including overtime and on-call; some positions may involve exposure to inclement weather; heat, cold, dampness, chilling and dry atmospheric conditions; uneven terrain; slippery surfaces; work in confined spaces; work at elevated heights, work with machinery; work around moving vehicles and around high traffic; exposure to biohazards; dirt, dust, fumes, vapors, smoke, gases, noise, poison oak, chemicals, biological and chemical contaminants, wildlife, and other conditions associated with construction sites, water treatment plants and urban and remote field conditions.
• Possession of a valid class C California driver’s license.
• Selected candidates must pass a pre-employment screening process to include reference and background/criminal checks
• Applicants must be able to work full-time (40 hours/week) and attend school on some evenings.

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Get to Know Us Better

Valley Water is run by a Board of Directors, which includes seven elected members representing equally divided districts. 

Valley Water’s CEO, Rick Callender, was appointed to the role in July 2020 after 24 years of employment with the organization, serving most recently as the Chief of External Affairs (CEA). He is the first African-American to serve in the role in Valley Water’s 90-year history.

 Read about Valley Water’s Mission, Vision, and Values to learn about who we are, what we believe in, and where we want to go.