Wastewater Collection Systems Operator Certification

UPDATE

Presented By:Bob Williams

AWEA Collection Systems Committee Chair(501) 982-0581 email: bob@jwwu.com

Ø Chair: Bob Williams, Jacksonville Wastewater

Ø Member: Bill Staggs, North Little Rock Wastewater

Ø Member: Oren Noble, CWB Engineers, Inc.

Ø Member: Paul Richards, Jacksonville Wastewater

Ø Member: Mitchell Vansant, Fort Smith Wastewater

v CSO Sub-Committee:

Ø Member: Larry Oelrich, Prairie Grove Public Works

Ø Member: Johnny Lunsford, Rogers Water Utilities

Ø Member: Chris Randall, ADEQ, Water Division

Certification attests to the fact that an individual hasmet the education and experience requirements asset forth by The Association of Boards of Certification(ABC) and has proven his qualifications, byexamination, for operating and maintaining aWastewater Collection System.

It demonstrates an individual’s focus andcommitment to building knowledge and skills thatimprove decision making and actions on the job.

Applicants in all classifications shall meet the following general requirements:Ø Must work for an Arkansas Wastewater Collection System

either public or private. Ø Be able to comprehend the English language.Ø Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.Ø Provide satisfactory evidence of current employment as a

wastewater collection system operator.Ø Possess the required time, education, and experience in

the wastewater collection industry or a combination of education and experience required for the classification level sought.

Wastewater Collection System Operator, asused in these regulations, refers to anyindividual who is employed by any ArkansasCity, District, or other political subdivision orby any Arkansas Company, Corporation,Utility, person or group of persons engaged inthe collection of wastewater for treatment, oranyone operating facilities and devicesinstalled or constructed for the purpose ofcollecting wastewater.

(a) the superintendent or administrative headwho has full responsibility for the operationof a wastewater collection system

(b) the individual who works under thesupervision of the superintendent, and whonormally has charge of or performs importantoperating functions.

The wastewater collection system operator is responsible fortaking actions to protect public health and the environmentby ensuring that our wastewater collection systeminfrastructure is operating properly and that thisinfrastructure is maintained and protected to achieve amaximum usable life.Today’s collection system operator must understand howeach component of a system functions and how thesecomponents come together in a hydraulically connectedsystem to collect and transport wastewater to downstreamtreatment facilities. Collection system operators must alsounderstand the effects that the operation and performance ofa collection system have on the function and performance ofincreasingly more complex treatment facilities and morestringent discharge permits.

Properly operating and maintaining a collection systemrequires knowledge and competency in a broad range oftopics and skills.

Certification provides operators with a third-party verifiedyardstick of achievement that demonstrates their level ofaccumulated knowledge, skills, and experience that areimportant in the day-to-day activities their jobs require.

Many utility owners and managers place value andimportance on an operator’s steady progress through thevarious levels of certification. It demonstrates a focus andcommitment to building knowledge and skills that improvedecision making and actions on the job.

This program will:Ø Improve the quality of wastewater collection

systems operationsØ Provide a roster of qualified personnelØ Improve the knowledge and prestige of anyone

employed in the field of wastewater collectionØ Promote safety conditions for wastewater

collection systems personnelØ Provide a means whereby those responsible for

employment of wastewater collection systemspersonnel can readily determine thequalifications, which are considered desirable insuch personnel

Certification offers a mechanism for individuals toreceive recognition and credibility in their chosencareer.

The benefits of certification include:ØCareer advancement opportunities ØHigher wage earning opportunitiesØMechanism to demonstrate competency and

professionalism ØCompetitive advantage over non-certified

individuals ØEnhances professional reputation and prestige ØDemonstrates commitment to the field

Employers use certification to make informeddecisions. Certification benefits employers byproviding a mechanism to:

ØScreen potential new hires and select contractors ØMotivate employees to expand their

knowledge and skills ØIncrease competence level of employeesØEnsure ongoing continuing education for

employees

Ø The AWEA Collection Systems Committee hasdeveloped a voluntary certification programto rate skilled and qualified CollectionSystems Operators

Ø The Committee will submit its report andprogram to the AWEA Board

Ø If the report and program are favorable, it willbe adopted and the program initiated.

ØA Certification Committee will then be formedto oversee and administer the program

A committee shall be established to oversee and govern the certification program.

The Committee shall consist of eight board members and shall include the following:

Ø One (1) current AWEA officer and board memberØ One (1) member of a state regulatory agency

having some experience or authority in the field ofWastewater Collection Systems operations.

Ø One (1) licensed Arkansas Engineer with experiencein the field of sanitary engineering and wastewatercollection design, operation, or other relatedexperience.

Ø Five (5) current wastewater professionals; each witha minimum of 5 years supervisory or managementexperience with wastewater collection systems.Must be a current AWEA member.

It shall be the duty of the Certification Committee:Ø to receive all applications for certificationØ to investigate, verify and evaluate the

accompanying record of each applicantØ to prepare and conduct examinations for the

various grades of certification as herein providedØ to issue certificates of the proper grade on behalf

of AWEA to all applicants meeting therequirements herein provided

Ø to perform such other duties as may benecessary to insure compliance with theprovisions contained in the program

Class 1

Class 2

Class3

Class 4

For Class “1” Certification, the minimum requirementsare;Ø Must possesses at least a high school diploma, GED,or equivalent educationØ Satisfactory completion of 40 hours of approvedtrainingØ Passing score on the Class “1” Certification Exam(70% or better)Ø The Class “1” Certification preparation shall entail 8hours of course work and 4 hours of testing

For Class “2” Certification, the minimum requirementsare;ØThe applicant must hold a Class “1” Certificationand have two (2) years acceptable collection systemexperienceØSatisfactory completion of 80 hours of approvedtrainingØ Passing score on the Class “2” Certification Exam(70% or better)ØThe Class “2” Certification preparation shall entail12 hours of course work and 4 hours of testing

For Class “3” Certification the minimum requirementsare;ØThe applicant must hold a Class “2” Certificationand have three (3) years acceptable collection systemexperience, with at least one year experience in a leador supervisory positionØSatisfactory completion of 120 hours of approvedtrainingØPassing score on the Class “3” Certification Exam(70% or better)ØThe Class “3” Certification preparation shall entail16 hours of course work and 4 hours of testing

For Class “4” Certification, the minimum requirementsare;Ø The applicant must hold a Class “3” Certification fora minimum of 3 years and have 6 years acceptablecollection system experience, with at least 2 of thoseyears in a management positionØ Satisfactory completion of 200 hours of approvedtrainingØPassing score on the Class “4” Certification Exam(70% or better)Ø The Class “4” Certification preparation shall entail24 hours of course work and 4 hours of testing

ØTrainingvApproved training to qualify to take the exam

vPreparation training for the Examü Study guides for different classifications

vOngoing Recertification Training

ØNeed-to-Know PublicationsvABC Need-to-Know publication

Operator Training Manuals and Videos are available from:The Office of Water Programs,

California State University, Sacramento 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95891-6025 Phone: (916) 278-6142

Email: wateroffice@csus.edu

WEF – Water Environment Federation http://www.wef.org/

ABC – Association of Boards of Certificationhttp://www.abccert.org

C2EP – Certification Commission for Environmental Professionalshttp://www.abccert.org/about_abc/CertificationCommission.asp

The objective of the training is to providecollection systems operators with theknowledge and skills to effectively operateand maintain collection systems thuseliminating or reducing problems rangingfrom health hazards such as blockages andstorms to noise pollution like noisy manholecovers while preparing them to pass acertification exam.

The course is designed to train operators in thepractical aspects of operating and maintainingwastewater collection systems; emphasizing safepractices and procedures.

Information is presented on the importance andresponsibilities of a collection system operator, theneed for collection system O&M, and the componentsand typical layouts of collection systems.

Operators learn safety procedures for construction,inspection and testing of sewers, inspection ofmanholes, and underground construction and repair.

Detailed instructions will be included for usingclosed-circuit television, clearing stoppages, cleaningsewers, and controlling roots, grease, odors, andcorrosion in collection systems.

This course focuses on the knowledge and skillsoperators need to identify actual collection systemproblems and select appropriate methods to solvethem.

Operators also learn to solve math problems relatingto the operation and maintenance of wastewatercollection systems.

Annual Re-Certification training will also be provided.

To become certified:Ø All applicants will have to complete an

Application For CertificationØ Pay an Application FeeØ Have required experience and educationØ Pass an Examination.

Application instructions and fee schedules will be listed on the application.

After applications are received:Ø Applicant information will be compiled in adatabase and reviewed for the certification appliedforØ If approved, the applicant will receive anacceptance letter. If the application is rejected, theapplicant will be notified and asked, if warranted, tosupply more informationØ After completion of the examination and grading,applicants will be mailed official test results. Thosewho pass the exam, will be mailed certificates andwallet cards

As with all certifications, Certificate Holders willbe expected to abide by a Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics is intended to reflect thestandards and behavior that AWEA certificate holdersexpect of each other as they perform their workprotecting the public health and the environment andto reaffirm the value of holding an AWEA certificate.

“Ethics is the science of character and character ishow you conduct yourself when no one is looking”.

Ø The purpose of the Code of Ethics is toensure public confidence in the integrity andservice of professional water quality workerswhile they perform their duties.

ØAll AWEA certificate holders and applicantswill be expected to meet the followingstandards of professional conduct and ethics:

Ø 1. To protect public health, themselves, their co-workers, property, and the environment by per-forming the Essential Duties of the AWEA certifiedvocation, safely and effectively, and complying withall applicable federal, state and local regulations.

Ø 2. To represent themselves truthfully and honestlythroughout the entire certification process.

Ø 3. To adhere to all test site rules and make no at-tempt to complete the test dishonestly or to assistany other person in doing so.

Ø 4. To refrain from activities that may jeopardize theintegrity of the Certification Program.

Professional Certification is good for:

Øthe Employee

Øthe Employer

Øthe Arkansas Water Environment Association

Øfor The State of Arkansas

QUESTIONS QUESTIONS ????????