04/09/2020
As career conversations have shifted from “recession-proof” industries or sectors, many job seekers – whether they are in the early, exploratory phase or considering a career switch – are now considering the impact of “essential businesses” and what that means for them.
Many career fields in the trades have always been considered essential, and fortunately that did not change with the new realities of COVID-19. For example, chimney sweeps provide an important service that homeowners or owners of multi-family dwellings simply cannot complete on their own.
Launched in 1989 by Lou and Martha Neitz, Dr. SOOT Chimney Sweep, Inc. not only sweeps chimneys, their team inspects fireplaces and the entire chimney system, services wood stoves, and cleans dryer vents.
Because the company places such a high emphasis on customer service, the company provides hands-on, practical training for their employees. In addition, Martha Neitz offers an apprenticeship to provide experience for those interested in earning the Chimney Technician certification.
“We are more than just sweeps,” Martha explained. “Our clients entrust their homes and their personal safety with us, so understanding how a system is constructed and utilized enables us to do more than just sweep the system. We have the expertise and tools – including the ChimScan camera system – to look for seemingly small issues that are actually large problems. The small issues are often hidden from normal view.”
Since Dr. SOOT is hiring an apprentice, we talked about what she and Lou are looking for in a potential employee.
“Our company values focus on people, honor, integrity, safety, and truthfulness. So first and foremost we are looking for candidates who have the same values,” she explained. “Next, we are looking for someone who is teachable and willing to work hard. A college degree is not required, and we will provide the training from the ground up during the six-month apprenticeship to prepare for the six-hour CSIA test.”
(The Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Chimney Sweep Guild are national organizations dedicated to the education, training, and certification of chimney and industry-related professionals. There are only about 1,800 active certified chimney professionals in the US, and Dr. SOOT has three of the seven in the Colorado Springs area.)
Martha added that apprentice candidates must be team players with good communication skills. “Many of our clients are long-term accounts who have been with Dr. SOOT for more than a decade. The ability to communicate effectively and courteously is essential for success as a Chimney Technician. Because our Chimney Technicians communicate with our clients throughout the process and are highly trained in their craft, we have only had to utilize our no-mess guarantee four times in thirty-one years.”
Other skills and qualifications the Dr. SOOT team looks for are the ability to work in tight spaces, on slanted roofs, and at levels of up to forty-five feet; the ability to lift heavy bricks, materials, tools, and supplies; and the willingness to learn the safe operation of heavy hand power tools, masonry skills, and specifications of various chimney and fireplace systems.
If you would like to learn more about the certified Chimney Technician apprenticeship, reach out to Dr. SOOT Chimney Sweep, Inc. at 719-598-4466 or https://dr-SOOT.com/
Established in 1989 by Lou Neitz, Dr. SOOT is the longest-running chimney sweep that families in Colorado Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Fountain, Peyton, Black Forest, and Manitou Springs trust to keep their homes warm, cozy and safe.
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