About the Industry

Colorado has approximately 2,800 wastewater districts and 4,000 water districts statewide. According to the U. S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics¹, Colorado will see a 27% increase in water quality management careers.

Careers in Water Quality Management are vast. Examples of these careers are:

Careers in Water Quality Management

Job Name	Education Needed	Annual Salary (CO Median)
Chemistry Lab Technicians	AAS	$41,470
Geothermal Technicians	AAS	$38,610
Maintenance Pump Operators	AAS	$41,890
Distribution Systems Operators	AAS	$44,450
Waste and Wastewater Treatment Plan and System Operators	AAS	$56,640
Water Pollution/ Environmental Scientists and Specialists	AAS	$43,000
Conservation Technicians	AAS	$48,260
Civil Engineer Technicians	AAS/BAS	$55,570
Chemical Plant and Systems Operator	AAS/BAS	$57,250
Quality Control Analyst	BAS	$49.450
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians	BAS	$53,210

Data gathered from O*Net

Webinars, Trainings, Workshops

Emerging Young Professionals Workshop through Water Environment Federation

Events through the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association

Events through the Colorado Water Conservation Board

Trainings and workshops with the Colorado Watershed Assembly

EPA Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar: Tribal Community Water Systems July 27

18th Annual EPA Drinking Water Workshop (Virtual) August 30 - September 2

Professional Associations/Networks

American Water Works Association students and young professionals: https://www.awwa.org/Membership-Volunteering/Students-Young-Professionals/Student-Chapters

EPA- sign up for their newsletter: https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/email-subscriptions-epa-news-releases

American Water Federation student and young professionals: https://www.wef.org/membership/students-and-young-professionals2/

Colorado Well Water Contractors Association Education and News

Scholarship Opportunities are available

Questions?

Contact us: rrcc.wqm@rrcc.edu

Quick Links

the Rock portal