Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
💧 H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Yan Zhang, Senior Director of Water Quality and Process at Long Beach Utilities
A shortage of treatment plant operators can quickly become a drinking water reliability problem. At one point, Long Beach Utilities had vacancies in more than 30% of its operator positions as retirements, industry-wide shortages, and competition from larger agencies strained its workforce.
The utility responded by creating a nine-month Water Operator Academy for people with no previous water experience. Participants receive classroom instruction and field training, then complete the program with state certification and the experience needed to pursue full-time operator positions.
Over eight years, the Academy has prepared more than 80 people for water careers. Many now hold key roles within Long Beach Utilities.
The program creates a direct route into a highly skilled profession that typically requires years of training. It also gives the utility a stronger pipeline of operators responsible for keeping safe, reliable drinking water flowing across Long Beach.
H2O INTRO is sponsored by Human Capital Solutions, Inc., an executive search, recruiting, and leadership advisory firm. Visit humancs.com
VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Water Workforce Challenge
00:30 30% Operator Vacancy
00:49 Water Operator Academy
01:19 80 New Water Careers
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit waterloop.org
Subscribe to catch every video: youtube.com/@waterloop
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to waterloop:
🎧 Spotify:bit.ly/waterloopSpotify
🎧 Apple Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopApple
🎧 YouTube Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopYouTubePod
Follow waterloop for more stories on water sustainability:
🔹 Instagram:instagram.com/the_waterloop
🔹 LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/thewaterloop
#water #careers #longbeach #workforce #drinkingwater
💧 H2O INTRO 🤝 Meet Yan Zhang, Senior Director of Water Quality and Process at Long Beach Utilities
A shortage of treatment plant operators can quickly become a drinking water reliability problem. At one point, Long Beach Utilities had vacancies in more than 30% of its operator positions as retirements, industry-wide shortages, and competition from larger agencies strained its workforce.
The utility responded by creating a nine-month Water Operator Academy for people with no previous water experience. Participants receive classroom instruction and field training, then complete the program with state certification and the experience needed to pursue full-time operator positions.
Over eight years, the Academy has prepared more than 80 people for water careers. Many now hold key roles within Long Beach Utilities.
The program creates a direct route into a highly skilled profession that typically requires years of training. It also gives the utility a stronger pipeline of operators responsible for keeping safe, reliable drinking water flowing across Long Beach.
H2O INTRO is sponsored by Human Capital Solutions, Inc., an executive search, recruiting, and leadership advisory firm. Visit humancs.com
VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Water Workforce Challenge
00:30 30% Operator Vacancy
00:49 Water Operator Academy
01:19 80 New Water Careers
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit waterloop.org
Subscribe to catch every video: youtube.com/@waterloop
Never miss an episode! Subscribe to waterloop:
🎧 Spotify:bit.ly/waterloopSpotify
🎧 Apple Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopApple
🎧 YouTube Podcasts:bit.ly/waterloopYouTubePod
Follow waterloop for more stories on water sustainability:
🔹 Instagram:instagram.com/the_waterloop
🔹 LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/thewaterloop
#water #careers #longbeach #workforce #drinkingwater
