The free public event provided plenty of opportunities to learn about a wide range of career opportunities in civil service which help “build the future of public works.”

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The City of Citrus Heights hosted its fourth annual “Tools of the Trade” event, formerly the Public Works Showcase, the afternoon of May 8 at Van Maren Park, not far from Citrus Heights City Hall.

The free public event provided plenty of opportunities to learn about a wide range of career opportunities in civil service which help “build the future of public works.”

Hosted by the City of Citrus Heights, the event featured hands-on demonstrations, interactive booths and giveaways, giving attendees the opportunity to meet the operators who help keep the local infrastructure running smoothly.

Three students from Lichen K-8, Diamond Klanerswaffar, Madison Klanerswaffar and Sayve Umarets (not pictured); worked on a model of downtown as part of their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) class that took three months to build. Buildings include a hospital, police and fire station with detail.

Representatives of trade schools and public utilities described current office and field careers, ranging in skillsets from administrative, engineering, operating big equipment and maintenance.

Children enjoyed putting on a hard hat and sitting in the driver’s seat of some very cool heavy equipment, including a road pavement roller on display.

There was also an opportunity to meet and greet some affectionate workers of the “four-legged” kind in a special petting zone area provided by representatives of the G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time) Yoga from Herald.

Children enjoyed the opportunity to put on a hard hat and sit in the driver’s seat of some very cool heavy equipment, including a road pavement roller which was on display.

The public was invited to learn more about the exhilaration of practicing yoga alongside their adorable goat companions.

The petting zoo helped remind those attending the Tools of the Trade event that herds of goats will soon be busily grooming overgrown vegetation at various locations throughout the city, starting in Twin Oaks Park, said the city’s communications officer Marisa Brown.

“We’re excited that the goats are coming back to Citrus Heights and we invite the public to look for them as they visit additional locations throughout the city through our social media,” Brown said.

Citrus Heights Public Works Department representatives also described current openings while area private companies providing related services also discussed career, education and employer options to job seekers.

On May 8, attendees had the opportunity to explore booths from different departments and agencies at Van Maren Park that offer careers in civil service in the City of Citrus Heights.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) representatives offered information describing student internship and hourly opportunities with the utility now posted online. SMUD offers multiple career paths in its innovation and technology department, ranging from a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) student assistant to director positions.

The city also partnered with Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) to offer free transportation to those who wanted to attend the event.

Other participating sponsors included Wells Sweeping LLC, Bear Specialty Electrical Contractors, Sacramento Area Sewer District, Ghirardelli Associates, Biondi Paving and Engineering, Republic Services, Unico Engineering, City of Citrus Heights Public Works Department personnel, Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA), the San Juan Unified School District Office of Adult Education and the Center for Employment Opportunities. These sponsors were among those representing the regional trade industry, technical jobs and training opportunities in the area.

Other participating sponsors included Wells Sweeping LLC, Bear Specialty Electrical Contractors, Sacramento Area Sewer District, Ghirardelli Associates, Biondi Paving and Engineering, Republic Services, Unico Engineering, among others.