Ambergris, I know of many young veterans still looking for jobs, and have decided to do what I can to help. There are more than a few websites I have seen with job lead. Here is one of the better ones:
http://www.vetjobs.com/
That being said, I am going to post an article from the http://www.nwitimes.com (hope I do this right)
May 10, 2012 12:00 am • By Phil Wieland phil.wieland@nwi.com, (219) 548-4352
Editor's note: This is the fifth in a weeklong series of articles for National Drinking Water Week on the importance of preserving and conserving water.
VALPARAISO | Anyone thinking about a career or a career move might want to consider diving into the water business.
A large number of water and wastewater professionals is nearing retirement, and water utilities, including Valparaiso's, will be looking for people to fill the ranks. A person could do a lot worse than celebrating National Drinking Water Week by checking out the flood of career possibilities in water.
According to the American Water Works Association, workforce shortages are projected for treatment plant operators, distribution system mechanics, engineers, scientists and other positions in the public and the private sectors. To meet the growing need, the AWWA and the Water Environment Federation created the Work for Water website showcasing job opportunities.
The site links to job postings and provides information in the necessary skills, training programs and resources for water professionals and even offers testimonials from people now in the water workforce.
Valparaiso Utility Director John Hardwick said more than a quarter of the 65 people employed in the city's water and wastewater divisions are 55 or older, including four in the top positions. Hardwick is one of those who already has announced his intent to retire next year.
The city's Utilities Board adopted a succession plan for replacing potential retirees in a timely manner so new hires can get experience and comfort in the new position before taking over duties full time. It all means opportunities for new people to enter the business.
Hardwick said water utility employees tend to remain with one employer longer than most, but they also retire at a younger age. Because people don't leave, the workforce ages faster without new, younger people being hired to fill vacancies. Valparaiso is nearing a kind of critical mass in that category.
"The pay is decent, and there is a retirement plan," Hardwick said. "The other opportunity is that we hire from within. So, a person who does a good job can advance to a better pay. We generally train our people and help them get their license."
Water Distribution Manager Chuck McIntire is 66 and plans to retire in 2014. He recently was honored for 35 years in the business after working in retail when he got out of the Navy. By an odd coincidence, he was in the water business in the Navy, working in the evaporation room turning sea water into fresh water aboard a destroyer escort ship.
"I started as a grunt in the ditch," McIntire said of his hiring by the city. "It's been a good decision for me. It's never, ever boring. You learn something new almost every day. I would recommend it to any young person looking to work in the service industry. It's rewarding to be able to provide people with a commodity that's a necessity of life."
This career field needs new younger people to enter and learn the trade soon. One can get training manuals here http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/catalog.php to begin self-study, The manuals run around $50 for each volume or $100 if one wished to take a course for credit. All 50 states have licensing boards where applications can be submitted to test for the state water or wastewater licenses. If you know of a vet looking for a stable (and quite good paying job) after a little work this is one good place to start. I would be happy to answer any questions a vet may have about this, I can be contacted at drumrunner59@yahoo.com