By Bruce Rolfe
A 2025 Climax-Scotts High School graduate is embracing an opportunity to jump right out of high school into the work force with the Village of Climax Department of Public Works.
Lucas Piper, 17, was hired by the Climax Village Council in July after former full time DPW employee Forrest Cope submitted his resignation to pursue an opportunity with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department.
Piper, who started working full time for the DPW July 21, said he’s enjoyed the experience so far. He said working in the cemetery with foundation work and burials, mowing, and weed whipping, mirrors what he did when he worked for his father Trent Piper, the owner of The Groundskeeper, for approximately five years, helping make the transition a little more smooth.
“It’s a familiar feeling. I’ve done work like this about my whole life. A lot of the same stuff in a different place. I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Piper, who will turn 18 in October.
DPW Manager T.J. Gibson said Piper works well with others and by himself.
Piper, who will be striving to become water certified, said there’s a little bit of a learning curve with the water system and some other aspects of the job he did not perform regularly while working with his father.
He said in the month he has been working for the DPW, the water system has been a little eye opening.
Gibson has been showing the new DPW employee how to locate and exercise water valves in the Village’s water mains. There are 97 valves in the Village so this is a lengthy process that is performed each summer. It can also take some time locating the valves in the ground.
“The water side, I’ve dipped my toes into it a little bit. It’s different. I’ve never really dealt with anything like that,” said Piper.
The Council will be looking for Piper to become water certified so he can be a backup in case Gibson can not be at work or is on vacation.
It’s well known the Level 1 water certification exam is challenging and hard to pass. It’s also common for DPW employees striving to become water certified to fall short of the 75 percent or higher score needed to pass the test on the first attempt.
Piper, who is scheduled to take his water certification exam in November, said Gibson has been a great source of knowledge for him to learn about the water system. He hopes between Gibson’s input and study guides he has already dived into, he can pass the water certification test on the first attempt.
If he passes the Level 1 exam he will eventually strive to pass the Level 2 water certification test.
Passing each test will bring financial rewards.
Piper began at an hourly rate of $20. He will have 18 months to complete water certification requirements. Village Clerk Linda Coburn said Piper will receive a $1.50 hourly increase after passing the first water certification test and an additional $1.50 hourly raise after passing the second water certification test. Council President Bill Lewis adds the Council could consider cost of living hourly wage adjustments in the future also.
It was the Village Council’s hope to have the new DPW employee remain with the Village long term, which Piper said aligns with his ambitions.
Piper said instead of going to a job and performing the same type of work every day, he enjoys facing a variety of jobs that need to be performed on top of regular seasonal responsibilities.
“I’m not an office person. I don’t like being stuck in an office doing something. I like the change. It makes it easy. Here, it’s four seasons, it’s four different things. It’s a good change of pace to me. It helps a lot keeping me enthusiastic,” said Piper.
For a young man who recently graduated from high school, Piper feels fortunate to already have a full time job with a decent wage.
“I think it’s a good way to start off my journey,” said Piper.
A 2025 Climax-Scotts High School graduate is embracing an opportunity to jump right out of high school into the work force with the Village of Climax Department of Public Works.
Lucas Piper, 17, was hired by the Climax Village Council in July after former full time DPW employee Forrest Cope submitted his resignation to pursue an opportunity with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department.
Piper, who started working full time for the DPW July 21, said he’s enjoyed the experience so far. He said working in the cemetery with foundation work and burials, mowing, and weed whipping, mirrors what he did when he worked for his father Trent Piper, the owner of The Groundskeeper, for approximately five years, helping make the transition a little more smooth.
“It’s a familiar feeling. I’ve done work like this about my whole life. A lot of the same stuff in a different place. I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Piper, who will turn 18 in October.
DPW Manager T.J. Gibson said Piper works well with others and by himself.
Piper, who will be striving to become water certified, said there’s a little bit of a learning curve with the water system and some other aspects of the job he did not perform regularly while working with his father.
He said in the month he has been working for the DPW, the water system has been a little eye opening.
Gibson has been showing the new DPW employee how to locate and exercise water valves in the Village’s water mains. There are 97 valves in the Village so this is a lengthy process that is performed each summer. It can also take some time locating the valves in the ground.
“The water side, I’ve dipped my toes into it a little bit. It’s different. I’ve never really dealt with anything like that,” said Piper.
The Council will be looking for Piper to become water certified so he can be a backup in case Gibson can not be at work or is on vacation.
It’s well known the Level 1 water certification exam is challenging and hard to pass. It’s also common for DPW employees striving to become water certified to fall short of the 75 percent or higher score needed to pass the test on the first attempt.
Piper, who is scheduled to take his water certification exam in November, said Gibson has been a great source of knowledge for him to learn about the water system. He hopes between Gibson’s input and study guides he has already dived into, he can pass the water certification test on the first attempt.
If he passes the Level 1 exam he will eventually strive to pass the Level 2 water certification test.
Passing each test will bring financial rewards.
Piper began at an hourly rate of $20. He will have 18 months to complete water certification requirements. Village Clerk Linda Coburn said Piper will receive a $1.50 hourly increase after passing the first water certification test and an additional $1.50 hourly raise after passing the second water certification test. Council President Bill Lewis adds the Council could consider cost of living hourly wage adjustments in the future also.
It was the Village Council’s hope to have the new DPW employee remain with the Village long term, which Piper said aligns with his ambitions.
Piper said instead of going to a job and performing the same type of work every day, he enjoys facing a variety of jobs that need to be performed on top of regular seasonal responsibilities.
“I’m not an office person. I don’t like being stuck in an office doing something. I like the change. It makes it easy. Here, it’s four seasons, it’s four different things. It’s a good change of pace to me. It helps a lot keeping me enthusiastic,” said Piper.
For a young man who recently graduated from high school, Piper feels fortunate to already have a full time job with a decent wage.
“I think it’s a good way to start off my journey,” said Piper.
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