Fed-to-Tech H2OPreventing the Loss of America's Water Knowledge While Supporting Growing Water Startups With Fed-To-Tech H2O!When the Federal...

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Fed-to-Tech H2OPreventing the Loss of America's Water Knowledge While Supporting Growing Water Startups With Fed-To-Tech H2O!When the Federal...
Fed-to-Tech H2O

Preventing the Loss of America's Water Knowledge While Supporting Growing Water Startups With Fed-To-Tech H2O!
When the Federal "reductions in force" (RIFs) and Contracting/Funding Priority Changes began earlier this year, water-related agencies & programs across the federal government - as well as federal grant funding for nonprofits, research universities and institutes - took a big hit. As a result - at a time when we already have a Water Workforce Crisis - extensive Water Knowledge is now leaving the Federal Government ... and will possibly have to leave their Water Careers altogether as well ... unless they can find another opportunity to continue to work in water!

For many Water Startups, when they get a new investor check, new contract, or other new funding, they often need to HIRE FAST - unlike the large agencies, consulting firms, research universities or corporations that dominate the water space, which often have a much slower hiring process.

Most of these Water-Related Former Federal Water Employees, Contractors, and Grant Recipients (which we are referring to collectively as "#FormerWaterFeds") are NOT political appointees - those who "serve at the pleasure of the President" and were already seeking other employment by last November (if not sooner). Many Federal Water Professionals at the top "Senior Executive Service" (the highest level government program executives within the various agencies) have more frequent contact with the outside world, so if they have to or choose to find new employment, they often have a network of contacts.

However, many of the #FormerWaterFeds are "rank and file" employee of the Federal Civil Service - and may have always worked within "the Federal Family." Particularly for those over 35 (legal or not, age discrimination is real) and/or who don't have prior experience working for utilities or consulting firms or corporations or other places where Water Professionals are often hired, these incredibly talented, educated, experienced, and mission-driven #FormerWaterFeds may not get past the screening processes of many HR "automatic tracking systems" (ATS).

In some cases, the organizations that hire Water Professionals (including both those who are trained in water-related fields - e.g. water science, engienering, law economics, etc. - as well as other staff who support Water Programs - in business and accounting, HR, Communications, IT and Data Management) also rely on Federal Permits and Federal Funding. We have heard that some have decided that hiring #FormerWaterFeds is "too risky" - even though, again, civil servants are non-political positions.

At WaterCitizen, we've often seen Water Professionals over 35 (or even over 30) who cannot find a job because employers only want to hire recent grads. Too often, we have seen Water Professionals may have to leave their work in water altogether - selling real estate or insurance or essential oils or online courses or whatever they need to do to support themselves and their families - representing a significant loss of America's Water Knowledge (a precious resource)!

Another option Water Professionals may choose when faced with a career interruption is to become a Water Startup Founder ... or to join another Founder's endeavor as a Co-Founder, Advisor (especially for those who took the early retirement option but are not really ready to retire) ... or to join a Growing Water Startup's team!

For Growing Water Startups (aka Growups or Scaleups), this means that right now - with the availability of #FormerWaterFeds - there is a significant pool of highly talented, educated and experienced, mission-driven Water Professionals available to join them as team members, co-founders or advisors!

For these reasons - and to prevent the loss of America's Water Knowledge - WaterCitizen is working with the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions, Big Table Institute, Aurelius, Cheseapeake Bay Fund, Siol Venture Capital, Capstone Tech LLC, True Elements, and other leaders in Water Innovation to create:
Fed-to-Tech H2O
Monday, September 8, 2025, 5-8pm EDT
Reservoir Center for Water Solutions, Washington, DC Free Registration For Attendees & Pitching Water Startups Available Now! WaterCitizen.Org/FedToTechH2O

Attached link

https://www.watercitizen.org/FedToTechH2O

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