New director asks youth to consider an 'unrecognized and rewarding career'

NORFOLK, Neb. -- A new leader in the city of Norfolk's development is encouraging youth to consider an "unrecognized" but "rewarding" career. 

Norfolk native Chad Roberts decided to try out a part-time sewer position in 1997. Eventually, he moved up onto supervision of the entire city's water. Now, as reported Monday, Roberts was promoted to water and sewer director this week.

NCN met up with Roberts to see what changes or goals he has for the role. While his priority is first maintaining and continuing projects where they're left off, Roberts noted that he'd like to bring more youth into the career. 

"There's a lot of insight into providing water to a community like Norfolk, and besides the water, we also provide the fire protection," Roberts said. 

While he may not have considered the career much if he hadn't seen an ad in the newspaper one day, Roberts said he now finds the career extremely rewarding. Roberts added that he's proud to bring a city like Norfolk one of the most important necessities to life -- drinking water. 

Roberts noted that the biggest project he's taking on right now is putting in an additional collector well. Construction should start at the end of this year.