Reader Profile--Mauricio A. Linarte

Mauricio A. Linarte

City of Margate

Work title and years of service.

I’ve been working in the wastewater industry for close to 16 years now (in August 2022) for the same organization. My current job title is utility mechanic I/electrician for the City of Margate.

Before I got into this industry, I started working at the age of 13 doing electrical wiring in new residential homes. I would help my dad (Nazario M. Linarte) whenever I was out of school, on weekends, holidays, and summer vacations, and any other time that was helpful to him. Working since that age made me appreciate the hard work both of my parents did to support me.

What does your job entail?

My current job title is utility mechanic I, and I'm in charge of the daily and proper operation of all 54 lift stations around the city. Also, I’m responsible for the maintenance and repair of the water and wastewater lines, plants, pumps, and equipment as needed throughout the collection and distribution system. I troubleshoot the electrical systems (24V, 240V, 480V) and the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, ensuring the efficient and safe mechanical operation of machinery, assisting in the installation of new equipment, and or repairing lift stations.

What education and training have you had?

After I graduated from high school, I wanted to continue to excel in my education and start college, but my parents did not have the resources for me to enroll. So, I started to work for an electrical contractor to allow me to attend college and be able to pay for my education.

My boss at that time, Bob Ally, at Electrical Machinery Enterprises (EME) in Tampa, knew that I wanted a higher education to better myself and I wanted to keep going to school, so he offered me the chance to enroll with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and sponsored me throughout the four years of the electrical apprenticeship program. The ABC is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members, recognized by the Department of Education and the state of Florida.

While working with this electrical contractor I became interested in knowing what the purpose of a water and wastewater treatment plant was, and since I was working on the new construction of one of them for the City of Miramar, my curiosity grew to know the process. During that time, I would ask city personnel how to become part of the operation or become an employee for that specific treatment plant, but there were no jobs at that time.

Years passed and my notion to learn grew even more, and I focused on the electrical trade as my future career. I obtained my electrician journeyman license with Broward County, and while working for the City of Margate I also worked hard to obtain my master electrician license. I would like to especially give thanks to Phil Esposito, a master electrician at Margate, for helping me and making this possible.

Finally, in 2016 I was able to enroll in Broward College and I restarted my pursuit of higher education. I obtained three business certificates, which included business specialist, business operations, and business management, and my associate in science degree in business administration. I would like to give special thanks to Robert (Bob) Loftus for pushing me to go to college and making me understand that it would help me in the utility industry.

Currently, I’m working toward my bachelor’s degree in business administration in management, and at the same time, I’m trying to acquire more knowledge from FWPCOA by attending its online courses and absorbing as much as I can from the short school class instructors, especially Rick Rominoff.

What do you like best about your job?

The best part of what I like about my job is the crew that I have the privilege to work with and the variety of the many coworkers in services, plant mechanics, water and wastewater operations, and the laboratory; all of them are exceptional personnel. The other part I like is the challenge of any problematic situation that arises in the lift stations and knowing that we are taking care of public health and safety.

What professional organizations do you belong to?

As of now I belong to FWPCOA and that’s because I am concentrating so much on my career and finishing college. I would like to be more involved with other organizations and help others to become members as well.

Maury, Andy, and Tommy. Out with family and friends.

At the beach. Another night out.

How have the organizations helped your career?

As of now, FWPCOA has helped me obtain more knowledge in the field of maintenance, and other courses I have taken online as well. Another helpful resource I have is from Sacramento State University; I did my wastewater operator course there and soon I will be taking the state exam to have my wastewater license under my belt.

What do you like best about the industry?

I would have to say that I like the fact that this industry looks out for the environment we all live in, and the well-being of everyone’s health. In this field, there’s lots of new technology that is constantly getting better by the day and new instruments that help us operate efficiently, such as lift stations, and in wastewater and water plants. Many gadgets are very important components of the industry.

I would like to give special thanks to Mr. David Lampton and Ms. Renee Moticker. Mr. Lampton was the one who invited me to one of the meetings at least six years ago; if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be involved in FWPCOA. Ms. Moticker helped me to become more interested in the organization, introducing me to lots of important people, and having the patience of showing me the ins and outs of what I’m supposed to do as the new director of Region VII. Even though, with COVID-19, many events were canceled or postponed, I will try my best to be more involved in this new journey.

What do you do when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I dedicate lots of time to my schoolwork; having a full-time job and school is not an easy task. As of now, the only volunteering activities I do are with FWPCOA; I barely have time to do anything else.

I like to travel, and meet new people and see new places. I also enjoy working on my cars and motorcycle, helping my parents, and most of all, my three kids. I love to spend quality time with family at get-togethers, which was difficult during this pandemic.

First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to write these humble words. Second, I want to thank Mr. Patrick Murphy for selecting me to be featured in this profile. Third, I want to give special thanks to my parents, Nazario M. Linarte and Francisca R. Linarte, for their constant love and support. Lastly, Maury, Andy, and Tommy Linarte are my three treasures that I admire and am most proud of! S