Main content
What They Do
Water, Fuel and Environmental Technicians provide water supply, waste water treatment and environmental engineering support to operational units at home and abroad.
The Water, Fuel and Environmental Technician job is one of seven Construction Engineering positions that provide all construction, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering services to Canadian Forces operations. The primary responsibilities of the Water, Fuel and Environmental Technician are to:
- Install, operate and maintain water treatment and supply systems
- Install, operate and maintain waste water collection and treatment systems
- Set up and monitor various environmental programs
- Produce associated mechanical designs and specifications
- Produce associated mechanical drawings
- Conduct reconnaissance related to the above
- Assist other Construction Engineering tradespersons
Working Environment
Water, Fuel and Environmental Technicians often work day or night and must deal with the challenges that come with varying environmental conditions. Water, Fuel and Environmental Technicians maintain their skills while employed at home units or on humanitarian and United Nations operational assignments.
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Water, Fuel and Environmental Technician is $49,400 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Water, Fuel and Environmental Technicians who demonstrate the required ability, dedication and potential are selected for opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced training.
The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Forces physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.
Water, Fuel and Environmental Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Training takes approximately 21 weeks and includes:
- Environmental skills such as defensive tactics and firearms
- Care and use of common and special purpose tools and test equipment
- Application of occupational codes and regulations
- Interpretation of drawings and schematics
- Water distribution and treatment systems
- Waste water disposal and treatment systems
- Fuel storage and distribution systems
- Chemistry, fluids and mechanical principles
- Math and Physics
- Brazing and welding techniques
Water, Fuel and Environmental Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:
- Water Plant Technician
- Waste Water Plant Technician
- Environmental Assessor
- Certified Engineering Technician (Mechanical)
The minimum required education to apply for this position is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Canada. Foreign education may be accepted.
This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.
Water, Fuels and Environmental Technicians may serve with the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. They are employed to provide water supply, waste water treatment and environmental engineering support to military units for training and operations. When employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis, they usually serve at a Canadian Armed Forces location within Canada.
Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, the home unit will arrange for additional training for specialized skills. Training for Water, Fuels and Environmental Technicians takes about 21 weeks and is conducted at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick.
Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends (Air Reserve Water, Fuels and Environmental Technicians usually serve up to 12 days per month in a regular work day), although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 85% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.
Find a unit in your area and start the application process for part-time employment now.
