Operator Training and Hiring: Opportunities at Ohio's

Community Colleges

County Sanitary Engineers Association of Ohio2012 Winter Conference

Jeff Bates, Professor, Program CoordinatorEnvironmental Science, Safety & Health

Columbus State Community College

Is there a need for water/wastewater operators?

• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (bls.gov)

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Is there a need for water/wastewater operators?

• Environmental Engineering Technicians (bls.gov)

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Is there a need for water/wastewater operators?

• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians (bls.gov)

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Where do you obtain entry-level operators?

• Joe’s cousin• Training programs• Technical and community colleges

– A.A.S. degrees and certificate programs• Interns• Contract workers

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Education v. Training

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http://www.epa.state.oh.us/ddagw/pws/tabid/5800/LiveTabId/113437/Default.aspx

Why a hire from a community or technical college?

• Improved ability to pass operator exams• Ohio EPA experience credit

– Degree or individual courses

7http://www.epa.state.oh.us/Portals/28/documents/opcert/2013%20OpCert%20Exam%20Dates%20and%20Deadlines.pdf

Why a hire from a community or technical college?

• These students have additional skills and applied knowledge– Writing– Computer– Math– Science– Legal knowledge

• Degreed students see the “big picture”

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Why use a community or technical college for education/training?

• Location

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Why use a community or technical college for education/training?

• To obtain valuable skills in a convenient format• Class availability• Cost

– Cost per hour of training often much lower that other options

– Can use educational reimbursement• Experienced instructors• Contact hours for certified operators

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Two-year A.A.S. Environmental Degrees

• Occupational categories– Air quality– Emergency preparedness– Energy– Environmental

information management systems

– Environmental lab services

– Site management

– Natural resource management

– Safety and health– Solid and hazardous

waste management– Wastewater

management– Water supply and quality– Sustainability

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Columbus State Community College

• A.A.S. in Environmental Science, Safety & Health (73 credit hours)

• Water/Wastewater Technology Certificate (34 credit hours)

• A.A.S. in Civil Engineering Technology• Various other courses

– Environmental Law, Environmental Analytical Methods, OSHA classes, surveying, CAD, etc.

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Columbus State Community College

• Water/Wastewater Technology Certificate– “Foundation” courses

• ENGL 1100 Composition I• CHEM 0100 Introduction to Chemistry• MATH 1020 Beginning Algebra I• CSCI 1101 Computer Concepts and Applications• ESSH 1101 Intro. to Environmental Science, Safety &

Health

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Columbus State Community College

• Water/Wastewater Technology Certificate– Technical courses

• ESSH 1140 Industrial/Municipal Pollution Control• ESSH 2220 Drinking Water Treatment• ESSH 2230 Wastewater Treatment• ESSH 2240 Environmental Hydrology• ESSH 2530 Applied Environmental Engineering• CIVL 2210 Principles of Hydraulics• CIVL 2230 Public Utilities Systems• One OSHA class (30 Hr. General Industry or Construction

Industry or 40 Hr HAZWOPER)

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Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

• A.A.S. in Environmental Engineering Technology (74 credits)

• A.A.S. in Environmental Engineering Technology – Stormwater Major (75 credits)

• A.A.S. in Environmental Engineering Technology – Water and Wastewater Major (75 credits)

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Cuyahoga Community College

• A.A.S. in Environmental Health & Safety Technology (61-63 credits)

• Environmental Health & Safety Technology Post-Degree Certificate (30 credits)

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Owens Community College

• A.A.S in Environmental Health and Safety Technology (69 credits)

• Water Treatment Certificate (18 credits)

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Sinclair Community College

• A.A.S. in Environmental Engineering Technology (72 credits)

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Zane State College

• A.A.S. in Environmental Science, Safety & Health (71 credits)

• Certificate in Public Water Systems (13 credits)

• Certificate in Water/Wastewater Laboratory Skills (20 credits)

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