Alfredo Garibay knows all too well that being a wastewater professional can be a messy job, but he has also learned it can be very rewarding. As a young professional at the Victor Valley Water Reclamation Authority (VVWRA), his daily tasks might include testing sludge to ensure health and safety standards are met, helping repair equipment, and instructing colleagues on workplace safety. The job can be demanding—he might have to stand for long periods, lift heavy items, or work in confined spaces.
But in the end, Garibay knows he is making a meaningful impact on the environment in the community where he lives and hopes to one day raise children.
“Every day is different, especially as you become more experienced,” he explained. “I believe that with dedication, a path to leadership is within reach. I’m really aiming to become a senior operator someday. At the moment, I’m happy to pitch in wherever I can. I also enjoy working alongside some of the newer team members and have the opportunity to mentor through job shadowing.”
Garibay began his career at VVWRA when he was 19 years old. A college counselor informed him about an internship at Victor Valley, helped him apply, and arranged an interview. After completing the OIT program, he started working full-time for VVWRA as an operator. He quickly prepared for and earned his Grade 1 certification. Currently, he is working on obtaining his Grade 3 certification. This fall, Garibay intends to complete prerequisite courses at Victor Valley College and ultimately aims to transfer to California State University, San Diego, to major in civil engineering.
Since its founding in 1978, VVWRA serves a 279-square-mile region that includes Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, Spring Valley Lake, and Oro Grande. The agency treats about 12 million gallons of wastewater daily and supports residents and businesses in the Victor Valley by providing essential services such as wastewater treatment, water recycling, green renewable energy, and nutrient-rich soil amendments.
“During my internship and my subsequent work at VVWRA, I’ve gained experience at both the sub-regional plants and Victory Valley’s main facility,” Garibay said.
Garibay is currently honing his skills at the sub-regional facilities using smaller MBRs.
“I’ve been training other operators, even some senior operators. Being able to do this really makes me proud and thankful for this opportunity,” he said. “This was never a field I thought about being in, but I’ve found it has become very fulfilling, and I have really learned to care about what I am doing.”
Garibay has discovered that during his time at VVWRA, he has met many good people working in this field. Although he’s only been in this field for four years, he has found that many of the senior staff have helped guide him in the right direction. Garibay aspires to be that kind of mentor as well. Whenever he meets new people, he always tells them about this industry.
“If they are looking for a career and a place where they can get a good education while working in that career, this industry is the place to be,” he said. “I can’t recommend it enough. I wish some of my high school friends who didn’t go to college knew about this field. They could really do well for themselves here.”
One of Garibay’s senior operators once told him to look at this time as an investment. “If you invest the time, you’re going to get the reward, and I believe it is paying off. This was a big time motivation for me,” he said.
Garibay has been a member of CWEA for about four years. He enjoys taking the seminars and sessions offered. This past spring, he attended CWEA’s annual conference in Palm Springs, where he had an opportunity to meet more people in the industry and sit in on several inspiring sessions.
“I feel that working in this industry has given me something to dedicate my life to, and it helps me to make other people’s lives better by keeping the environment clean.”
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