People Behind the Pipes
Water / Wastewater Systems Operator II - Eddie Gutierrez
1. Tell us about your job.
As a Water/Wastewater Systems Operator II (On-call), my job focuses on making sure our water is safe and healthy. I go out every day to check and adjust the chemicals that treat our water so that it is healthy for people to use. This means visiting the District's facilities often to check the levels of chlorine and fluoride in the water. I also help train new workers on how to monitor and keep our water quality high.
2. What do you like best about your job?
The work environment here is great! Everyone at the District is friendly and enjoys their job, which makes a big difference. Treating and delivering water is complicated, so I am always learning a lot, even when I'm teaching others.
3. How did you get into the industry?
I was working in construction as a carpenter and a welder when when my family told me about this profession. My first job in the water / wastewater industry was for the City of Modesto, where I worked for 10 years as a Maintenance Worker II in their Water Services Division. But I wanted to return to the Bay Area, so when a job at DSRSD opened up seven years ago I jumped at the chance and never looked back.
4. What are the biggest challenges of your job?
I know a lot about taking care of the water system, so the District regularly asks me to train new workers. This takes up a lot of my time now. Training others is interesting because the water treatment process is so complicated! It takes a long time to learn all the steps we use to treat and keep the water clean. Everyone learns differently, so I often need to adjust my teaching style to help them really understand the work.
5. What is something unique about you?
One unique thing about me is my positivity! I enjoy bringing good energy to work, especially when I'm surrounded by others who love their job too. I'm straightforward and honest, so what you see is what you get with me.
6. What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter. My daughter loves dancing and playing basketball. We also have a young boxer dog who is very energetic. I take him for walks and playdates with other dogs. He loves running through sprinklers and trying to catch the water!
As a Water/Wastewater Systems Operator II (On-call), my job focuses on making sure our water is safe and healthy. I go out every day to check and adjust the chemicals that treat our water so that it is healthy for people to use. This means visiting the District's facilities often to check the levels of chlorine and fluoride in the water. I also help train new workers on how to monitor and keep our water quality high.
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| Water / Wastewater Systems Operator II Eddie Gutierrez flushes the pipeline at a nearby park in preparation for taking a water sample. |
The work environment here is great! Everyone at the District is friendly and enjoys their job, which makes a big difference. Treating and delivering water is complicated, so I am always learning a lot, even when I'm teaching others.
3. How did you get into the industry?
I was working in construction as a carpenter and a welder when when my family told me about this profession. My first job in the water / wastewater industry was for the City of Modesto, where I worked for 10 years as a Maintenance Worker II in their Water Services Division. But I wanted to return to the Bay Area, so when a job at DSRSD opened up seven years ago I jumped at the chance and never looked back.
4. What are the biggest challenges of your job?
I know a lot about taking care of the water system, so the District regularly asks me to train new workers. This takes up a lot of my time now. Training others is interesting because the water treatment process is so complicated! It takes a long time to learn all the steps we use to treat and keep the water clean. Everyone learns differently, so I often need to adjust my teaching style to help them really understand the work.
5. What is something unique about you?
One unique thing about me is my positivity! I enjoy bringing good energy to work, especially when I'm surrounded by others who love their job too. I'm straightforward and honest, so what you see is what you get with me.
6. What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter. My daughter loves dancing and playing basketball. We also have a young boxer dog who is very energetic. I take him for walks and playdates with other dogs. He loves running through sprinklers and trying to catch the water!