Job Shadow

It’s a type of career exploration that allows an interested person to learn from a WRC Staff by following them and observing them for one day. Some shadow opportunities will allow hands-on interaction when safe and possible to do so.

To provide interested persons who are entering or actively participating in the workforce (or at least 16 years of age) the opportunity to observe a WRC employee performing their daily work routine in their environment. To allow students to explore a career in the Water Industry and to get a realistic picture of the tasks performed for that job.

Participants will have the opportunity to choose from several career tracks, including:

• Environment & Sustainability
• Water Operations
• Drain & Sewer Operations
• Facility Operations
• Construction Projects & Engineering

When shadowing in the Environment & Sustainability track, you will spend time with our Environmental Planners and Soil Erosion Inspectors. This track will take you out in the field and throughout Oakland County.

Throughout your day, you will learn about the Federal Stormwater Permits Program for Oakland County and come to understand how this group coordinates with other agencies to reducing pollutants from entering surface waters of the state. You will also become knowledgeable on illicit discharge elimination programs and educational programs that teach people about pollution prevention and the connections between our actions and the impact we have on the quality of lakes, streams, and rivers. As part of the soil erosion portion of this shadow opportunity, you will see what soil erosion and sedimentation control are and the methods used to minimize erosion and control sedimentation to protect the water resources of the State.

When Shadowing in the Water Operations track, you will spend time with our water maintenance mechanics, metering technicians, specialized support staff and water system engineers. This track will take you out on the field and throughout Oakland County.

Throughout your day you will learn about drinking water operations including various water sources, water maintenance operations, water metering functions, water engineering systems and operations. Some of the major responsibilities of this group include:

• Fire hydrant pumping and inspection
• Fire hydrant repair and replacement
• Water system design
• Water main rehabilitation and repair
• Water distribution valve inspection
• Water distribution valve repair and replacement
• Water service tap installation
• Water pressure and flow testing

When Shadowing in the Drain & Sewer Operations track, you will spend time with drain and sewer maintenance mechanics, construction site inspectors, lake level technicians, and drain and sewer system engineers. This track will take you out on the field and throughout Oakland County.

Throughout your day you will learn about drain and sewer operations including inspection with CCTV technology, specialized equipment and maintenance tasks, construction project inspection, Miss Dig functions and lake level operations. Some of the major responsibilities of these groups include:

• Asset Management: Develop asset management programs to prioritize maintenance and capital improvement
• Project Design & Oversight: Design and oversee major maintenance and capital improvement projects
• Cleaning: Clean the sewers using jet, high-pressure, cleaning trucks
• Inspect: Inspect sewer pipes and manholes using closed circuit televising (CCTV) trucks equipped with 1000' of video cable with footage counter, digital recording for reports and reference, digital stills, and a tracking system
• Repair: Repair sewer pipes and manholes including grouting, spot repairs, pipe lining and manhole lining

When shadowing in the Facility Operations track you will spend time with facility operators, mechanics and chemists. This track will take place at one of our Water Resource Recovery Facilities. This track will focus on the work happening at the facility.

Throughout your day you will learn about water recovery processes and equipment including screening, clarifiers, aerators and pumping systems. You will spend time in our lab, learning about the Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) and other chemist tasks and biological sampling as it relates to the water quality and the water treatment method.

When shadowing in the Construction Projects & Engineering track you will spend time with WRC’s Civil Engineers who oversee constructions projects, as well as water, sewer and drainage systems. This track will take place at our main office in Waterford and focus on engineering tasks, principles and projects.

Throughout your day you will learn about the safe delivery of water for irrigation and human consumption, as well as the effective removal or recycling of wastewater. You will learn about how engineers develop systems and equipment that optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of water resource management and water treatment. Water engineers have a variety of duties that contribute to their primary responsibility. Duties within this department include:

• Design programs to mitigate the risk of flooding
• Develop plans to improve water structures, such as pipes, pumping stations and sewers
• Serve as a liaison between a variety of interested parties, including other consultants, technical experts, suppliers, residents, contractors, clients, government agencies and local authorities
• Remain current on policy and environmental developments
• Communicate project outcomes and technical data to individuals with a wide range of technical knowledge
• Monitor a project's progress and overall success from beginning to finish
• Manage the budget for water engineering projects
• Hire contractors and ensure projects are meeting deadlines
• Oversee the maintenance and operation of water/sewer/drainage infrastructures