Environmental Sustainability

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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The Environmental Sustainability program equips students with laboratory and technical knowledge for entry-level water services positions. West-MEC students use the engineering process to understand and solve complex water cycle, water, and wastewater treatment problems. Applied mathematics, chemistry, and microbiology concepts are embedded throughout the program.

Environmental sustainability courses, such as West-MEC’s, expose students to real-world situations and current challenges related to clean and abundant water supply, efficient wastewater treatment and management, and general environmental concerns. The program combines academics with theories and technical processes, allowing students to apply practical skills.

Industry-certified instructors will guide students throughout the course. The one-year program is divided into two semesters that run for 90 days. Students learn safety/technical skills, such as:

• How to safely use hand and power tools
• Treatment plant safety
• OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards

Environmental Sustainability students are also trained in water/engineering science:

• Hydraulics
• Physics
• Pneumatics
• Operator math
• Thermodynamics
• Corrosion control
• Water quality testing
• Filtration fundamentals
• Specialized treatment process

Accommodations and modifications are provided to high school students based on the IEP/504. In addition, training for the job seeking process is offered through mock interviews, resume building, industry guest speakers sharing their knowledge, and other work-based learning activities.

Aside from environmental sustainability-specific academic and technical skills, West-MEC students in the program will also develop leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and other essential professional skills. The program produces well-rounded and committed environmental sustainability specialists.

Upon completing the one-year, 450-hour program, successful candidates will be prepared to seek the required certifications like the ADEQ Water Treatment Operator Level 1 and the ADEQ Wastewater Treatment Operator Level 1. Moreover, West-MEC offers many industry credential tests at no additional cost. If the student has to pay for a test, they will be reimbursed.

Through West-MEC’s Environmental Sustainability program and Water Treatment certification, students are provided a pathway to economic independence.

CAREER PATHWAYS
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Careers that a student could pursue after receiving their environmental sustainability certificate programs are:

Technical Careers

• Occupational Health & Safety Technicians
• Environmental Programs Manager
• Environmental Technician
• Water Resource Specialist
• Water/Wastewater Quality Control Analyst

Entry-Level Careers

• Water/Wastewater Quality Control Analyst
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
• Environmental Field Technician
• Agricultural Service Technician
• Water Quality Technician
• Wastewater Technician

Professional Careers

• Environmental Engineer
• Environmental Economist
• Industrial Ecologist
• Environmental Restoration Planner
• Air Pollution Control Engineer
• Hazardous Substance Engineer
• Chief Sustainability Officer

Water and wastewater operators and environmental specialists are critical to ensuring environmental and public health safety.

Environmental Sustainability entry-level salary: $22.19 per hour**