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Wastewater management is crucial to California’s environmental sustainability, and the companies at the forefront of this industry are paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future. For civil engineers passionate about making a tangible impact, the opportunities in wastewater engineering are endless—and California is home to some of the best firms in the nation.

In this article, we’re spotlighting three of the top wastewater engineering companies in California. These firms are not only leading groundbreaking projects but also offering incredible career prospects for engineers looking to contribute to transformative infrastructure solutions. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, these companies represent the best of what the wastewater engineering industry has to offer.

Let’s dive into the top three wastewater engineering firms shaping California’s future.

Top Three Wastewater Engineering Companies in California

1. Coleman Engineering

Based out of Roseville, California, Coleman Engineering is a wastewater utility firm with a tight-knit team of dedicated civil engineers. Their expertise spans across California, Nevada, Idaho, and Utah, providing a range of services including planning for water and recycled water systems, wastewater utility systems design, bidding support, construction observation, and compliance monitoring. Coleman Engineering may be smaller in size, with a workforce of 11–50 employees, but its impact on the wastewater industry is anything but small. Their reach and expertise allow them to handle significant projects while maintaining a close, collaborative team environment.

Some of the firm’s most notable projects include the Brentwood WWTP Effluent Diversion Structure and the River Islands Recycled Water System. Coleman Engineering has worked with a variety of high-profile clients, including the City of Fairfield, Tuolumne City Sanitary District, and Shadow Lakes Golf Course.

2. Mead & Hunt

Founded in 1900, Mead & Hunt has grown into a multidisciplinary powerhouse with offices nationwide, including three locations in California—Ontario, Sacramento, and Windsor. This well-established firm is known for embracing innovation and growth while maintaining a strong presence in the wastewater engineering industry. While Mead & Hunt is a larger company, with over 40 active offices, it prides itself on empowering employees to take charge of their career growth. The firm provides extensive support and training, ensuring that engineers are well-equipped to succeed and contribute to meaningful projects.

As part of their environmental and sustainability divisions, Mead & Hunt have worked on many wastewater engineering and water quality projects, including the South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion and the Jeff Davis Water Treatment Plant. Their clients range from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, to the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA). 

Awards & Recognitions

Mead & Hunt’s excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Best of State award from ACEC-Wisconsin for the Little Falls Dam Reconstruction project at Willow River State Park and the ACEC-WA Engineering Excellence award for the Fish Passage and Culvert Design project in Rosyln, Washington. 

3. Peterson Brustad, Inc

Peterson Brustad, Inc (PBI) is a specialized water supply and wastewater engineering firm located in Folsom, California. Founded in 2005, PBI is a midsized firm with a team of 11–50 employees, committed to delivering sustainable water solutions across the state. Recently, PBI was acquired by Verdantas, a private-equity-backed firm specializing in environmental consulting, sustainable engineering, modeling, and digital technology. This acquisition strengthens PBI’s ability to provide cutting-edge solutions while remaining dedicated to its mission of identifying and maintaining adequate water supplies for California’s communities.

PBI has played a critical role in numerous water supply and wastewater management projects across California, including the Arden Water System, the Jenny Lind Water Treatment Plant Expansion, and the Larkfield Water Treatment Plant Expansion. The company has built strong relationships with clients like California American Water, the City of Folsom, and the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency (SJAFCA).

Find Your Next Role in Wastewater Engineering with Certis Solutions

Wastewater engineering in California offers the chance to work on projects that are both challenging and rewarding. If you’re looking for your next opportunity in this field, Certis Solutions can help you find a role that perfectly suits your skills and career goals. Contact our team today to explore current opportunities and start making a difference in wastewater management.

California is one of the most lucrative places in the United States for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals due to increasing job opportunities in different fields, especially engineering. With the increasing number of residential, commercial, and public construction projects, the demand for skilled AEC professionals, including mechanical engineers, is rising. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 19,800 mechanical engineering job openings are expected annually in the country. Moreover, the job outlook for mechanical engineering professionals will likely grow by 11 percent in the next ten years. Follow along if you’re looking for entry-level mechanical engineering jobs or planning a job shift as we discuss some frequently asked questions about this field. 

Mechanical Engineering Jobs: How to get started 

Aspiring mechanical engineering professionals should gain the required and relevant educational qualifications, such as a bachelor’s or associate degree, in the respective mechanical engineering field. You can excel in your career by acquiring additional credentials and certifications, such as the assistive design certificate, professional engineering (PE) license, and CAD and digital manufacturing certificate.  

Work on gaining a diverse skill set to set yourself apart from other job candidates and optimize your work competencies. A successful mechanical engineering professional must have some essential qualities, including excellent listening, creativity, mechanical, and problem-solving skills, to perform all the job responsibilities easily and conveniently. 

Top Mechanical Engineering FAQs

1. What disciplines fall under mechanical engineering?

The top five branches that fall under mechanical engineering are design, mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, and manufacturing. Please note that mechanical engineering isn’t limited to these fields as it has other disciplines, including acoustics, biotechnology, control systems, and structural analysis.

2. What is my job outlook? 

With growing construction activities and the demand for technology in the United States, the job outlook for mechanical engineering has been positive, offering jobs across different fields within mechanical engineering. Some of the country’s top positions for mechanical engineering professionals include mechanical engineers, biomedical engineers, research engineers, and mechanical engineering managers. 

3. What qualifications do I need?

As mentioned above, you can opt for a four-year bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, engineering physics, civil engineering, or biomedical engineering, followed by a two-year master’s degree in any field of specialization, such as engineering project management or computer-aided design. 

4. What skills are needed for entry-level mechanical engineering jobs?

Earning a degree or certification may not be enough to find entry-level mechanical engineering jobs, meaning you need to work diligently to gain and enhance your skills. Opt for a variety of transferable skills that help you efficiently perform different job responsibilities. Some of the top mechanical engineering qualities and skills are:

• technical design 
• verbal and written communication 
• business and industry sector awareness
• teamwork 
• critical and analytical thinking 
• data analysis 
• strategic planning and project management

5. How much can I expect to earn?

Mechanical engineering professionals can make over $95,000 a year on average. But the salary range can vary depending on different factors, including experience level, geographical location, employer, and educational credentials. With ten or more years of experience in mechanical engineering jobs, you can earn as high as $113,000 in the United States. 

How to Apply for Mechanical Engineering Jobs in California

The best way to apply for mechanical engineering jobs in California is by signing up with a professional engineering staffing agency like Certis Solutions. It provides exclusive access to top employers and/or clients to help you be part of some of the top projects in the Golden State and around the country. 

Certis Solutions provides a comprehensive range of recruitment services, including resume building, interview preparation, and candidate skill enhancement to make you stand out among other job aspirants. They understand your professional and personal goals to find a job that matches your expectations. 
To find entry-level mechanical engineering jobs in California, visit Certis Solutions today. You can also explore its wide range of services and the types of AEC firms it works with to help candidates find their dream AEC jobs.

The responsibility of developing land use plans and programs for sustainable communities usually falls on urban planners. As communities grow and more of the world becomes urbanized, planners work to ensure facilities like schools are designed to suit their population’s needs. AEC professionals considering an urban planning career should know it’s a path that requires a range of competency and social skills. 

Beginning your urban planning career: What to know

Many planners work full-time for government agencies, non-profit organizations, and real estate firms. While urban planning jobs are available in different regions, they’re most common in large, metropolitan areas. These professionals often work with civil engineers, environmental consultants, real estate developers, and architects to coordinate and draft appropriate plans for cities.

While most of an urban planner’s job is spent in an office, coordinating and planning projects, negotiating deals, giving presentations, and attending meetings, they often visit worksites and spend some time in the field. You may also choose to work in a specific area as your specialization. Some of these include:

Conservation. Urban planners in this field work with real estate developers to ensure the preservation of heritage sites, landmarks, and culturally significant land. 

Environmental planning. These urban planners ensure construction workers conduct development projects sustainably, leaving a limited ecological impact on the environment. 

Revitalization. This field focuses on restoring damaged and degraded infrastructure that poses a health risk to people living in the area.

Expansion. As more people migrate to cities, urban planners in this field work to expand these cities to accommodate their population.

Urban planning job requirements—here’s what you need

Education

The minimum education required to have an urban planning career is a master’s degree in Urban Planning. This is usually for senior roles and more experienced planners. Professionals in this field who only have a degree may only work in junior positions. To advance in this career and take on project planning roles, you’ll need to obtain a higher level of education.

Licenses and certifications

Some fields of urban planning require you to have a license, although it’s not always a requirement. Getting certifications also help you gain an advantage in growing your career. It shows you have deep knowledge of the field or teaches you new skills to succeed. Earning a certificate from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) requires you to meet specific academic requirements and pass the organization’s exams.

Skills and qualities 

Certain skills are needed in urban planning jobs since these professionals are responsible for large projects and work with different people. Some of these skills include communication skills that allow them to understand project briefs and pass the message on to other workers in the project. Decision-making skills are also crucial for managing different parts of the project. Community management skills help them support and take action on issues that are important to their communities.

Search urban planning jobs with Certis Solutions 

Finding a good job as you venture into urban planning can be complex without the right tools. Getting help from an engineering staffing agency like Certis Solutions during your job search can be incredibly helpful. We have years of experience connecting job seekers with their dream roles, and our extensive connections in the industry ensure we only match our candidates with jobs that are the right fit for them. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find the perfect urban planning job.

You need to know a lot as an Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) professional interested in construction materials testing jobs. This career path is highly technical and involves using a comprehensive testing process on materials used in building projects. These professionals test all kinds of materials, including concrete, steel, asbestos, and other materials necessary for a sound structural build. 

Construction Materials Testing (CMT) is vital for ensuring the safety and viability of construction projects and informing engineering decisions. They also check and make sure builders and engineers only use materials that meet a set standard to produce high-quality structures. There are two kinds of construction materials testing: field testing and lab testing. 

Field testing. Here, the construction materials testers work on-site to ensure building components such as timber and asphalt are fit for use on the project. Some projects where you’ll commonly find CMTs are building developments, airports, and roadways. They use visual and non-destructive techniques to check the materials’ moisture, air, and other components. If everything is satisfactory, the project gets the go-ahead to continue. However, if the CMT is unable to draw any conclusions from a field test, they’ll send samples of the materials to the lab for further testing.

Lab testing. Lab tests are done when field testing is insufficient to measure materials adequately. It’s not as common as field testing and is only done as needed. Lab testing in CMT gives a comprehensive view of materials, such as concrete’s flexural strength and asphalt’s density. 

Construction materials jobs in California

The job outlook for construction materials testing in California looks promising. The average salary is $42,263 per annum, with workers in the ninetieth percentile making over $65,000 per annum. Workers switching to this industry can expect their wages to keep growing as they gain years of experience and advanced skills.

Requirements and skills

CMT is a specialized field that requires completion of a combination of any two courses in biology, geology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or computer science. However, some employers may accept a high school diploma in combination with training certificates from institutions such as American Concrete Institute. 

It’s also helpful to have relevant experience in construction or an associate degree in civil engineering or related fields. Most jobs will give more consideration to applicants with a valid driver’s license. Below is a list of skills that can also help you land construction materials testing jobs: 

• Oral and written communication
• Teamwork
• Ability to walk in uneven terrain
• Ability to lift heavy weights of 50 to 100 pounds 
• Detail oriented 
• Time management 

Hiring in California 

Kleinfelder Inc 

Kleinfelder was established in 1961 and has its headquarters in San Diego, California. They provide high-level testing and inspection services on multiple projects in various locations in California. Kleinfelder’s team of construction professionals delivers the right solutions to water, energy, and transportation challenges, to mention a few. 

Some of their services include:

• Construction observation and inspection 
• Materials and forensic engineering 
• Laboratory testing

TERRACON

TERRACON is an engineering consulting firm specializing in geotechnical, environmental, facilities and material services. They’re committed to sustainable and affordable geotechnical and environmental solutions to meet their client’s needs. TERRACON is hiring across multiple roles in construction materials testing. Some of their services include: 

• Deep foundation non-destructive testing 
• On-site observation and monitoring 
• Design and review of concrete, asphaltic and grout concrete mixes
• Field and lab testing and analysis 
• Structural steel non-destructive testing 

Intertek

Intertek is hiring in Santa Fe Springs, California. The company is over 130 years old and provides total quality assurance for multiple industries across the world, including bespoke inspection, testing, and assurance services using a systematic approach in line with industry winning processes. 

Their services include:

• Non-destructive testing 
• Contamination detection and analysis 
• Environmental testing 
• Building product inspection 
• Site construction inspection 

Technical staffing agencies are experts at providing their clients with guidance and information about their qualifications. At Certis Solutions, we work with you to match your skill set and capabilities with the right job opportunities. This is a necessary process that boosts your chances of landing the job. Contact us today to learn more about how we work.

A landscape architecture degree allows you to pursue a career that offers many benefits, including the ability to use innovative technologies, think creatively, nurture communities, and, most importantly, earn a high salary. It’s a vast field that provides ample opportunities to opt for different professionals and disciplines with the same career path.

If you’ve got a degree in landscape architecture or hold special certification in model building, designing, or computer-aided design and drafting, follow along as this article takes you through some of the potential career options you can choose while looking for landscape architecture jobs. Learn how a technical staffing agency like Certis Solutions can help you find jobs in landscape architecture with its exceptional expertise, comprehensive range of staffing services, and many years of experience. 

Is Landscape Architecture a Good Career Choice for me?

Yes, primarily because of the increasing demand for well-engineered public and private spaces in the country, including recreational facilities, parks, and outdoor areas of campuses, hospitals, and residential buildings. Furthermore, the salary of landscape architecture professionals is higher than many other professionals.  

The median salary of landscape architects is around $67,000 annually, which can go up to $90,000 with relevant experience. On top of that, the job opportunities are expected to grow by 10 percent in the next five to seven years. 

Landscape Architecture Jobs: Top paths to follow

Landscape planner

The primary job responsibilities of landscape planners involve creating layouts, searching and analyzing different locations, and carefully examining the ecological aspects and potential environmental issues. Every year, as landscape planners, you can make around $66,000, which may vary based on many factors, including your experience level, educational qualifications, and geographic location. 

Landscape manager 

A landscape manager supervises, coordinates, and manages the activities of recreational workers, planners, and general laborers engaged in landscape architecture or maintenance work to ensure the timely and efficient completion of the project. In the United States, landscape planners can make $65,000 annually, on average.

Residential landscape architect

Work dedicatedly on private architectural projects, meaning they design and create special outdoor spaces for houses, hotels, restaurants, and other residential areas. The median salary for landscape architecture is around $67,000 per year, which may vary based on project type, client, budget, and other factors. 

Landscape maintenance technician

Most landscape maintenance technicians make around $28,500 to $39,000 per year in the country. There’s a broad scope of career advancement within the field with relevant experience, educational qualifications, diverse skill set, and additional credentials. 

Landscaping account manager 

It represents a landscaping firm by taking clients through notable projects, work competencies, growth plans, and teams. Landscaping account managers also analyze budgets, supervise in-office work, and meet with clients. 

Get a Landscape Architecture Job with Certis Solutions

If you want to be part of different landscaping architecture projects, sign up for Certis Solutions, a reliable technical staffing agency that helps architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals find their ideal jobs in landscape architecture. 

The team of knowledgeable recruitment managers at Certis Solutions evaluates your work competencies and personal and professional goals to find the right job that matches your expectations and skills. 

It provides a wide range of services, such as resume and cover letter creation, skill development, and interview preparation, to set you apart from other job aspirants. Visit Certis Solutions to browse through the expansive array of services, AEC firms, and professionals today!

Safety managers are categorized under occupational health and safety specialists and technicians in the United States by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the increasing construction activity and emergency management services in the country, especially in California, the demand for safety managers is also rising, as the primary job responsibilities of safety managers are to ensure health and safety regulations in the workplace.

Moreover, the job outlook for these professionals will likely grow by five percent in the next five years. The average salary of safety managers is around $74,700 annually, which may vary depending on different factors, such as experience level, industry, employer, and geographical location. 

If you’re also looking for safety manager jobs or have an interview with an employer, here are a few common interview questions to prepare for to have a better chance at securing the job. Read more to find out how a technical staffing agency like Certis Solutions can help you get a position as a safety manager. 

Interviewing for Safety Manager Jobs? Be prepared

Regardless of the industry or workplace, the primary responsibility of safety managers is to ensure the safety and protection of everyone, meaning you need to be prepared to answer complex and critical questions about the safety and health regulations at the workplace. Note that every workplace in the country needs to follow instructions and guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federal agency. 

As a safety professional, you need to be well-versed with the agency’s policies, standards, and rules to answer questions regarding that in the job interview. Be prepared to answer questions related to any recent amendments, updates, and changes in the regulations, as this shows your in-depth knowledge of the field and a positive attitude toward learning new things about your specialized field. 

Top Interview Questions 

1. Are you OSHA certified?

OSHA certification is a mandatory requirement to work in a construction, maritime, disaster site, or general industry. The certification involves training in common safety and health hazards in the workplace/job site. So, ensure you’ve earned the certification and proper knowledge. 

2. What’s your first reaction when you notice a safety hazard?

When asked this question, apply what you’ve learned in the OSHA outreach training to tackle such problems or safety hazards. Don’t forget to support your answer with relevant examples. 

3. What challenges did you face in your last role?

Remember, it’s part of the job to work in challenging situations, especially concerning many people’s health and safety. Talk about how you enforce safety standards, control site access, and monitor safety training and certifications

4. How would you handle the situation if an employee were injured?

Again, the best way to answer this is by applying the knowledge you’ve gained through OSHA outreach training, your education, internships, or previous work experience (if any). Demonstrate leadership skills, analytical thinking, and problem-solving aptitude through your answer. 

5. How do you stay motivated in your role?

Talk about why and how you landed in the role and what makes you pursue this career. This is your chance to sell yourself and prove how you’ll be an asset to the company by keeping everyone safe on the job site. 

6. How do you ensure employees follow safety procedures?

List some of the activities, such as safety audits and team meetings/interactions, you’ll follow in the workplace to ensure everyone’s following the set safety standards and procedures. 

Work with a Technical Staffing Agency to Find Safety Management Jobs

Finding jobs in safety management is difficult, but it can get a lot easier when you sign up for a technical staffing agency like Certis Solutions. It provides easy access to companies and projects unlisted on popular job portals and recruitment sites.  

Certis also allows you to broaden your network by connecting you with industry experts, veterans, and existing professionals. It understands your personal and professional goals to find a job that matches your expectations and needs. 

Search for safety management jobs at Certis Solutions and visit the website to learn more about our comprehensive services, designed specifically to help architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals find work in California and all around the country.