As Operations Manager, Filiberto brings passion, leadership, and dedication to work every day[cite: 6]. Inspired by his father — the family’s first-generation “water dog” — Filiberto grew up understanding the importance of hard work and public service[cite: 6]. Another major influence in his career was Eric Lopez, whom he worked with during his time at the City of Las Cruces[cite: 6]. Eric’s mentorship and encouragement inspired Filiberto to continue advancing in the field and striving for excellence[cite: 6].

Ask Filiberto what a typical day looks like, and he’ll tell you: “I’m all over the place!”[cite: 6] From leading teams and managing operations to overseeing daily system functions and solving unexpected challenges, no two days are ever the same[cite: 6]. His role requires flexibility, strong leadership, and the ability to adapt quickly while keeping operations running smoothly[cite: 6].

Filiberto believes the key to success in the water and wastewater industry is simple: Be willing to learn[cite: 6]. He encourages others to stay motivated, continue advancing their knowledge, and most importantly, learn to love what they do[cite: 6]. A strong work ethic and a desire to grow can open many doors in this profession[cite: 6].

For Filiberto, the most rewarding part of the job is knowing that the community has water that meets federal and state standards every day[cite: 6]. Providing an essential service that helps protect public health gives him a deep sense of pride and purpose[cite: 6].

When he’s not working, Filiberto enjoys spending quality time with his wife, their three children — including one proud third-generation “water dog” — and his parents[cite: 6]. He appreciates the simple things in life: relaxing at home, enjoying quiet time, cooking, and baking with his family[cite: 6].

Raul successfully graduated from the Doña Ana Community College Water Technology program through a state workforce scholarship[cite: 13]. He genuinely cares about the work he does and is driven by a strong sense of purpose[cite: 13]. He knows that as a water and wastewater operator, he plays a critical role in protecting the public health and the environment by providing clean drinking water and ensuring wastewater is properly treated[cite: 13].

He oversees operations across three wastewater treatment facilities and nearly 40 lift stations, coordinating staff and ensuring systems run safely and efficiently[cite: 13]. Raul takes pride in making the most of his time both on and off the job. Outside of work, Raul values spending time with his family and staying productive at home[cite: 13].

Ernesto “Ernie” Carranza has devoted 34 years to the water and wastewater industry[cite: 4]. What began as “just a job” quickly grew into a rewarding career and a true passion[cite: 4]. Throughout the years, Ernie has built lasting relationships with co-workers, contractors, and customers—connections he considers one of the most fulfilling aspects of his work[cite: 4].

In his role, Ernie coordinates daily assignments for employees, conducts inspections for new construction projects, and performs 811 line locates when needed[cite: 4]. He is known for his patience, understanding, and willingness to help others, always striving to provide excellent customer service while supporting his team[cite: 4].

Ernie values that no two days are ever the same[cite: 4]. The variety of challenges and opportunities to learn keeps his work engaging and meaningful, reinforcing the passion he has developed for the industry over more than three decades of dedicated service[cite: 4].

Filiberto’s passion for the water and wastewater industry runs in the family[cite: 5]. Inspired by both his grandfather, who retired from a water department career, and his father, who continues to work in the field, Filiberto pursued his own path by graduating from the Dona Ana Community College Water Technology Program[cite: 5]. Today, he takes pride in serving his community by helping customers and ensuring the water system operates efficiently[cite: 5].

In his day-to-day role, Filiberto reads, repairs, configures, and maintains water meters while also checking for leaks and resolving customer water issues[cite: 5]. One of the most challenging projects he faced was replacing two, 3-inch meters at a high school where unexpected complications arose[cite: 5]. Thanks to teamwork and determination, the job was successfully completed[cite: 5].

Filiberto believes water and wastewater operators should always keep a community-first mindset and focus on helping customers to the best of their abilities[cite: 5]. He takes pride in knowing that his work positively impacts the community[cite: 5].

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend—and petting random dogs[cite: 5].

When Jaime first started working for CRRUA, he was unsure what his career path would look like[cite: 7]. Coming from a restaurant background, he had no prior experience in water or wastewater operations[cite: 7]. However, as the years passed, he began to understand just how important it is to provide safe drinking water to the community[cite: 7].

What has kept Jaime motivated in this field is the opportunity for growth[cite: 7]. He began his career at CRRUA as a Utility Worker and worked his way up to becoming a Level 2 Water Operator and a Level 2 Wastewater Operator[cite: 7]. He later spent about a year assisting Utility Clerks with payment collection before accepting a new role as a Meter Specialist[cite: 7].

Today, Jaime’s responsibilities include collecting water samples and sending them to laboratories for testing[cite: 7]. He is also responsible for making sure water meters are functioning properly throughout the system[cite: 7].

One of the biggest challenges Jaime faces is helping customers understand concerns about high water consumption[cite: 7]. He takes pride in educating customers on ways to conserve water, such as taking shorter showers and watering grass every other day for shorter periods of time[cite: 7].

Jaime believes that dedication and a passion for helping the community are essential qualities for success in the water industry[cite: 7]. His favorite part of the job is helping customers identify leaks that may be causing unusually high water usage and helping them resolve the issue[cite: 7].

Outside of work, Jaime enjoys spending time with his wife and children[cite: 7]. He especially enjoys watching his daughter play baseball and attending his son’s marching band competitions[cite: 7].

Cristian is passionate about protecting the environment through his work in wastewater treatment[cite: 3]. Inspired by the opportunity to make a direct impact, he chose a career where his daily efforts help turn wastewater into an environmentally responsible resource that supports healthier communities and ecosystems[cite: 3].

Cristian takes pride in continuously improving his skills as an operator and ensuring the treatment plant runs efficiently every day[cite: 3]. A typical day starts with preventive maintenance, monitoring pH levels to measure water acidity, and performing routine walk-throughs to confirm equipment is operating properly and safely[cite: 3]. He also works closely with his team to troubleshoot issues, maintain compliance standards, and keep operations running smoothly[cite: 3].

For Cristian, the most important part of wastewater treatment is genuinely caring about the facility and the process[cite: 3]. He believes that dedication, attention to detail, and a commitment to protecting water quality are essential to ensuring wastewater is treated safely and responsibly[cite: 3].

Before joining CRRUA, James worked in hazmat response, helping clean up diesel fuel spills from truck accidents, including incidents where fuel leaked into creeks and surrounding environments[cite: 8]. Through that experience, he gained a deeper understanding of the impact hazardous materials can have on the environment and decided to transition into the water and wastewater industry[cite: 8].

Since joining CRRUA, James has developed extensive knowledge of water and wastewater operations and values the opportunity to learn something new every day[cite: 8]. Among James’s biggest responsibilities are helping ensure wells and chemical pumps operate properly and performing backwash procedures[cite: 8]. He approaches these challenges by carefully following operational procedures and directions provided to maintain safe and efficient systems[cite: 8].

James believes the most important qualities for success in this field are earning water and wastewater certifications and fully understanding the processes involved to complete the job correctly and safely[cite: 8].

Jaydrian joined the water and wastewater industry because he recognized it as a stable career path with strong job security and opportunities to continuously learn new skills across different work environments[cite: 9]. His interest in growth and hands-on problem solving has kept him motivated in the field[cite: 9].

In his role, Jaydrian conducts sampling, managing sampling documentation, performing maintenance at wastewater treatment plants, and inspecting and troubleshooting lift stations[cite: 9]. One of the biggest challenges he faces is time management, which he addresses by staying organized and working as efficiently as possible throughout the day[cite: 9].

Jaydrian believes the most important qualities for success as a wastewater operator are attentiveness, patience, being responsive to training, and accurate documentation and reporting[cite: 9].

Outside of work, Jaydrian enjoys practicing mixed martial arts, spending time with family and friends, and playing guitar[cite: 9].

Johnathan is dedicated to helping the community thrive by ensuring access to water that meets federal and state drinking water standards and reliable service[cite: 10].

In his role, he helps repair water main breaks, inspects valves and meters, and performs essential maintenance to keep systems operating efficiently from house to house[cite: 10]. He takes pride in supporting the community through work that directly impacts people’s daily lives[cite: 10].

Staying calm under pressure, Johnathan handles unexpected emergencies by following safety procedures and working efficiently to restore service as quickly as possible[cite: 10]. He believes strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, teamwork, and a commitment to safety are essential for success in the field[cite: 10].

Luis developed an interest in the water and wastewater industry at a young age[cite: 11]. When he was 10 years old, he often played outside, within sight of a treatment plant, which sparked his curiosity about how water systems work[cite: 11]. That early interest grew into a passion for serving the community by helping provide a healthy environment and water that meets federal and state compliance standards[cite: 11].

Luis begins his workday by checking water pumps to ensure they are operating properly[cite: 11]. He also tests wastewater pH levels to confirm the water is neither too acidic nor too alkaline[cite: 11]. In addition, he monitors Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) levels to maintain healthy microorganisms within the treatment system[cite: 11].

Luis says his favorite part of the job is learning something new every day and approaching his work with enthusiasm[cite: 11]. He takes pride in being responsible by arriving on time, working safely, and ending each day accident-free and satisfied with the work he has accomplished[cite: 11].

Outside of work, Luis enjoys spending time with his family, participating in church activities, and serving God, which brings him happiness and fulfillment[cite: 11].

Coming from a family with a strong background in water operations, Michael was inspired early on to follow the same career path. My grandfather and uncles all worked in water operations in El Paso, and seeing their dedication to serving the community showed him how important this work is[cite: 12].

Their experience and work ethic motivated him to pursue a career in the field, and it has been a rewarding profession for him as well[cite: 12]. When he moved to New Mexico, he wanted to continue building his career in water operations and expand his experience in the industry[cite: 12].

As a Level I Water Operator, no two days are identical[cite: 12]. Tasks range from inspecting equipment and monitoring systems to responding to maintenance issues or assisting with repairs[cite: 12]. The changing nature of the job is one of the things I enjoy most because it keeps the work interesting and challenging[cite: 12].

Vicente pursued a career in water/wastewater operations because he wanted to make a real difference in people’s daily lives[cite: 14]. He is driven by a sense of responsibility and purpose, knowing that his work matters every single day[cite: 14]. A typical day for him involves checking plant operations, monitoring flow rates, pumps, chemical levels, lab results, and making sure all equipment is functioning properly[cite: 14].

Operational issues are his biggest challenge because they require quick decisions and problem solving under pressure[cite: 14]. Staying calm, following procedures, and communicating clearly with the team helps handle those situations[cite: 14].

Vicente says an operator’s most important skills are attention to detail, problem solving, and responsibility[cite: 14]. Operators need to notice small changes before they become big problems[cite: 14]. Reliability is critical because the public depends on safe water every day, whether it is a holiday or the middle of the night[cite: 14].

He says his favorite part of the job is knowing that the work has a direct impact on the community[cite: 14]. “Most people never think about where their water comes from or where wastewater goes, but operators know how important that system is. It feels rewarding to be part of something essential and to solve problems that keep everything running safely.”[cite: 14]

Yael was inspired to pursue a career in water and wastewater operations because of a desire for a stable career that also helps protect public health and the environment[cite: 15]. What has kept Yael in the field is the opportunity to continue learning new skills while making a positive impact in the community[cite: 15].

A typical day includes checking equipment, monitoring pumps and treatment systems, collecting samples, and ensuring operations run safely and efficiently[cite: 15]. One of the biggest challenges is handling unexpected equipment failures and maintaining compliance, which Yael approaches by staying calm, troubleshooting issues, and working closely with the team[cite: 15].

Yael believes the most important skills for success in the field are responsibility, attention to detail, problem-solving, communication, and a willingness to learn[cite: 15]. Outside of work, Yael enjoys spending time with family and friends[cite: 15].

Christopher brings a strong background in construction and infrastructure maintenance to the water and wastewater industry[cite: 1]. Drawn to hands-on work that directly supports the community, Christopher began his career in general construction before transitioning into specialized infrastructure projects involving manholes, lift stations, and pump stations[cite: 1].

Over time, he developed a deep appreciation for the critical role wastewater operations play behind the scenes in protecting public health and keeping communities running smoothly[cite: 1]. By relying on his experience with heavy equipment and troubleshooting, he approaches each situation with a calm, practical mindset focused on quick and effective solutions[cite: 1].

Christopher believes success in the field requires more than technical knowledge[cite: 1]. Reliability, adaptability, and a strong commitment to safety are essential qualities for anyone working in water or wastewater operations[cite: 1].

When he’s not on a job site, Christopher enjoys the process of building something from the ground up, whether with mechanical projects or leaning into his creative side by making music[cite: 1]. He also spend a lot of time outdoors, following sports and on landscaping projects around the house[cite: 1].

Andres provides vital technical and field support across CRRUA water delivery networks. Working out in the field, he ensures routine diagnostics, water distribution performance tracking, and immediate breakdown responses run safely and cleanly across the service zones.