136th Year... and still on the job!	Tuesday September 14, 2004

Weapons destruction firm seeks workers for Pine Bluff project

By JOHN NORTON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

A subcontractor to Bechtel is offering Puebloans a chance to get started in the chemical demilitarization field if they're willing to relocate to Pine Bluff, Ark., for a couple of years.

The Washington Demilitarization Co. will hold two job fair sessions Sept. 21 at the Pueblo Convention Center, to find people to work at the Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Arkansas.

WDC is under contract to the Bechtel Pueblo Team to set up and operate the future Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant at the Pueblo Chemical Depot, but it needs people now to work in Pine Bluff.

Bechtel spokesman John Schlatter said workers could expect to be transferred back to Pueblo when work begins here.

The first job fair session will be held from 9 a.m. to noon followed by a second session from 5 to 8 p.m. Positions to be filled include mechanical technicians, electrical technicians, instrumentation and controls technicians, control room operators, plant operators and munitions handlers. Detailed job summaries and requirements can be viewed at the Washington Group International Web site www.wgint.com (go to "Careers," choose "Pine Bluff" in search/browse jobs feature).

Pine Bluff plant manager Guy Campbell said, "Our needs to fulfill staffing requirements will provide immediate jobs for the folks in Pueblo and will provide Pine Bluff the opportunity to return the favor by supplying a trained, qualified work force to Pueblo when their facility is built."

Mike Lewis, project manager for the Bechtel Pueblo Team, added, "Having Pueblo residents starting their careers at the Arkansas facility will allow them to gain valuable experience and training.

"After working in a chemical destruction facility, they will have the opportunity of potentially transferring back to Pueblo in more senior positions as our plant begins start-up and pilot testing activities. In addition to helping mitigate the ‘boom/bust’ effect on Pueblo, it will ultimately increase the safety of our facility."

Loren Sharp, the WDC plant manager at Pueblo, said, "Individuals selected for positions at Pine Bluff will gain valuable safety culture experience in the rigorous conduct of operations required in chemical demilitarization plants. This experience will be valuable to us in operating the Pueblo facility."