BETHEL — On February 3, Jeff Warden will step down from his job as Waste Water Treatment director, a title he has held for the past five years.  He is heading to the Maine Rural Water Association in Richmond to be a project manager.

Warden said the state has begun an apprenticeship program in waste water; his job will be to mentor apprentices, assist with contracts, work on budgets, submit grant applications and more.

“A lot based on water and waste water, totally a higher level and bigger scope. I’m advancing in age. Climbing down that hole is getting harder and harder and less and less pleasant. It’s time,” said Warden.