By Jeff Szabo, Chief Executive Officer, Suffolk County Water Authority
Every home, business, hospital and fire department in Suffolk County depends on one thing above all else: clean, reliable drinking water. It’s so ever-present that most of us don’t think twice when we turn on the tap. But behind every glass of water is a workforce of skilled professionals making sure that 1.5 million people can count on this essential service every single day.
As our county grows and our infrastructure ages, the demands on the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) grow too. Meeting those demands takes people. Not just operators in the field, but a wide variety of professionals who bring different talents to the same mission. If you are beginning your career or thinking about a new path, it’s worth a closer look at the opportunities that exist in the drinking water industry.
At SCWA, the work is diverse. Our construction crews repair and replace water mains across more than 6,000 miles of water main. Engineers design the treatment systems and pumping stations that keep water flowing around the clock. Chemists and microbiologists monitor water quality in the lab to make sure it meets the highest standards. Our information technology staff build platforms that make operations more efficient and keep customer data secure. Customer service representatives help our neighbors with everything from billing questions to conservation programs. We also rely on accountants, programmers, electricians, mechanics and many others. Whatever your skills—hands-on craftsmanship, technical know-how, or communication—there’s a place for you here.
SCWA is also a unionized workplace, offering stability, fair pay and strong benefits. Many of our employees spend their entire careers here, because they know they are valued. That stability matters at a time when so many workers across the country face uncertainty. Beyond wages and healthcare, employees at SCWA are part of a culture that emphasizes training, advancement and teamwork. It’s a workplace where people support one another and take pride in their contribution to the community.
This is not just another job, it’s work with meaning. Drinking water protects public health, powers our economy and allows every other industry to function. It’s what firefighters need to fight a blaze, what hospitals need to operate and what every family needs to thrive. Few careers allow you to say that the work you do every day safeguards lives. That sense of purpose is why so many of our employees stay for decades.
The challenge now is to make sure the next generation is ready to step in. Like many industries, we face a wave of retirements over the coming years. To prepare, SCWA has been working closely with the New York Section of the American Water Works Association on its One Water Workforce initiative. This statewide effort is designed to build a pipeline of skilled workers by leveraging state resources and partnering with local schools, colleges and training programs. Our employees have helped shape this plan, and we are eager to work with institutions across Long Island to connect young people to these opportunities. But we cannot do it alone. Continued state support will be essential to create the programs and resources that inspire students to choose a career in water.
Suffolk County’s future depends on people who are ready to take on this responsibility. Whether you are a recent graduate, a tradesperson looking for steady work or an experienced professional searching for more meaningful work, there is a role for you in the water industry. It is challenging and rewarding work—the kind of work you can build a life on.