Member Value Report
Mauricio Marin
Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority
Mauricio Marin of Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) is no stranger to instrumentation, controls and a switchboard. With his 25 years experience in the automation industry, the last 12 at VVWRA, he has provided electrical safety programs, initiated the first ever Main Switchboard electrical maintenance program at VVWRA and continues to provide training to plant personnel on electrical and instrumentation equipment. i.e. new electrical and analytical process changes and instrumentation calibration requirements.
Mauricio is an award winning Electrical Instrumentation professional. He recently won the Electrical Instrumentation Person of the Year award with the Desert and Mountain Section and went on to compete statewide where he won first place. He holds a CWEA Grade IV Electrical Instrumentation and has been a member of CWEA for over 12 years.
Marin shares his thoughts on being a member and what it means to succeed in this profession.
What is the biggest value you get from being a member of CWEA?
Training. It’s the low cost training CWEA and the local sections offer. Some events are free, several times a year. But all are affordable and most of the time, right at your fingertips.
How has the Electrical Instrumentation career changed over the years?
Well, more is being expected with less manpower. I have also seen more technical, computer based as opposed to analog. Systems are turning digital like almost everything else in society. Also, my career is more in demand. Electrical Instrumentation techs is one of the most in demand practice areas in our profession.
Would you recommend this profession to others?
Yes. It is challenging, rewarding and cutting edge. You can make an honest and long term living for you and your family.
What advice would you give someone entering Electrical and Instrumentation?
First, I would recommend they get their certifications as soon as they are eligible and to go for other certifications besides CWEA in the field…eg. International Society of Automation (ISA).
Getting a college degree in a related field is very beneficial. I have B.S. in Management Information Systems and Automated Manufacturing Technology. I also have an A.S. in Mathematics and Electronic Engineering and hold an ISA Grade I Certified Control Systems Technician certificate and am a C-10 State Licensed Electrical Contractor. Every little bit helps especially in such a high-demand profession.
According to the Workforce Survey from Baywork, Bay Area utilities will need about 828 new workers over the next three years in the electrical, mechanics and instrumentation categories. Electrical Instrumentation techs is one of the most in demand practice areas in our profession.
The water sector is competing with other adjacent sectors for talent. High demand, quicker job offers from the private sector and higher wages outside the water sector means fewer workers are available to fill these jobs. According to the survey, 92% of utilities are having difficulty hiring electricians and instrumentation techs.
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