Meet Mike Jericho, Vactor Operator for Pittsburgh Water’s Sewer Operations team. This April, we’re celebrating Mike’s 29th year working at Pittsburgh Water. Join us in celebrating this milestone as we chat with Mike about his career and the changes he has seen over nearly three decades on the job!
Tell us more about your role. I’m a jack of all trades. My job includes maintaining the Howard Street facility, where Sewer Operations is headquartered, transporting materials from our warehouse or our vendors, and supporting our Sewer Operations team—they keep me busy!
Tell us about how you got started at Pittsburgh Water. I started off as a Laborer for Water Operations during Pittsburgh Water’s transition from the City of Pittsburgh to an independent authority in 1996. I didn’t have a construction background, but they took a chance with me, and I was able to get hands-on experience, learn from those around me, and eventually became a Pipeman.
Later in my career, I obtained my CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) to become a truck driver. When I got my license, the only vehicle available was the vactor truck, which helps us clear sewers by suctioning out sludge or debris, so that’s how I started driving it and switched over to Sewer Operations.
You’ve been working at Pittsburgh Water for 29 years. What about your role, team, or the organization has motivated you to build your career here? Longevity has been instilled in my life; I’ve been at Pittsburgh Water longer than some of the folks working here have been alive!
I've met many people in the almost three decades I've been at Pittsburgh Water and have retained relationships as people come and go. By working closely with one another, I've formed bonds with my coworkers, and it starts to not feel like work.
But by far, this is the best management team we’ve had during my career. They set the men and women who work here up with the right tools, equipment, and support they need for success.
Mike and his dogs, Oliver and Levi
Do you have any advice to share? For the newer guys: listen to your partner, especially if they’ve been here for a while. Truly the best way to learn when you're new to the job is to listen more.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Camping! I have a camp about an hour and a half north of Pittsburgh. My wife Heather and our two dogs, Oliver and Levi, love going camping during the weekends. I’m not a sportsman, but I enjoy being outside around nature.
Any fun facts about yourself? I’m a great home chef. I took home first-place in a chili cook-off!
