Grand Rapids Community College, the city of Grand Rapids and Bay College in Escanaba are teaming up for a project aimed at building a pipeline to careers in the water and wastewater treatment industry.
About this program
Work as a part-time intern with the City of Grand Rapids Water Department, making $18.06 per hour, while taking online courses through Bay College and Grand Rapids Community College. During the program, participants are mentored by current and retired City of Grand Rapids employees. Completing the program will lead toward Michigan
Drinking Water and Municipal Wastewater certifications.
Program begins on August 20th, 2024 takes place over the course of one year, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Tues., Wed., Thurs.)
This program is FREE to Grand Rapids residents.
Attend this information session on Thursday, July 18th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Tassell MTEC located at 622 Godfrey Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Representatives from both GRCC and the City of Grand Rapids will explain the program and answer all questions.
Locations
You will be working at one of these water treatment locations:
- Water Resource Recovery Facility : 1300 Market Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Lake Michigan Filtration Plant : 17350 Lake Michigan Dr, West Olive, MI 49460
Courses
- Aquatics and bacteriology
- Environmental analysis
- Water analysis
- Water operations & management
- Utility management and business
- Water career preparation
- Professional development workshops
Potential entry-level job opportunities
- Collection system asset technician
- Customer service specialist
- Engineering assistant
- Industrial pretreatment program inspector
- Meter reader
- Plant assistant
- Utility aide
- Utility field operator
- Utility maintenance mechanic
- Water plant operator
- Water service worker
Partnership with Bay College
This program is just one example of the value GRCC provides through working with community and educational partners. Bay College offers one of the few Water Resource Management programs in the country, and it is designed to provide specialized training in water and wastewater treatment theory. We are honored to work alongside the team there.
Learn more
Learn about what it takes to keep our water safe and sustainable. Water Weekends, boot camp-style workshops, internships, and job-shadowing opportunities are currently being developed. If you are interested in being notified when these opportunities become available, please sign up to receive email notification from GRCC.
Haley Kozal
Program Manager
(616) 234-3376
haleykozal@grcc.edu
Hillary Caron
Water Education and Programs Coordinator
(616) 456-3930
hcaron@grcity.us