‘No. 1 in the No. 2 business’: Centralia wastewater worker named Pacific Northwest Collection System Operator of the Year

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On Tuesday night at Centralia City Hall, Centralia wastewater collection system technician Jason Schroeder was honored by the Centralia City Council and those in attendance for winning the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association’s (PNCWA) Collection System Operator of the Year award. 

Schroeder has been working for the city for more than 24 years now and was chosen out of 3,409 certified collection operators from throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho, according to Centralia Public Works Director Kim Ashmore. 

“Each of these (states) nominate employees who go above and beyond their normal duties,” Ashmore said. 

Centralia Wastewater Manager Rick Eaton explained the PNCWA’s award was given for outstanding job performance and accomplishments of an experimental or developmental nature. 

“I personally have seen this guy check all those boxes throughout this last year … How do you like to put it? You’re No. 1 in the No. 2 business?” Eaton said jokingly.

Schroeder thanked his fellow city staff members. 

“Can’t do it without a good team, and we have a very good team,” Schroeder said. 



Additionally, Ashmore said that Eaton is leaving the department as he has been hired as the City of Elma’s public works director. 

“I’m going to be changing my phone number, so he won’t call me. Just kidding,” said Ashmore. 

Eaton is taking the job because it’s closer to where he lives, Ashmore explained. 

“His last day with us, officially, will be tomorrow, and we’re going to have a little barbecue for him out at the Wastewater Department,” Ashmore said. “So good news, Jason is the Operator of the Year, bad news, Rick’s leaving us and we’re going to have to find a new manager.” 

Eaton, who has been the city’s wastewater manager for five years, was thanked for his work in the position by the council.