THE HUMAN RESOURCES/OPERATIONS INITIATIVE: NEW RESOURCES UNVEILED! By: Kathy Balu, Denver Water September 20, 2011 RMSAWWA/RMWEA Joint Annual Conference Loveland, Colorado

AGENDA  About Get Into Water!  The Human Resource Goal  Major Activities & Findings  New Resources Unveiled!  Questions from the Audience

ABOUT THE PROJECT  The water and wastewater industry will sufficiently recruit, train and retain personnel to ensure mission- critical positions are filled with qualified, trained & technically skilled employees. This project addresses: Outreach & recruitment Training Knowledge Retention Human Resource & Operations Staff Collaboration

ABOUT THE PROJECT  For the purpose of this project, mission-critical operations positions will be defined as employees who work in: Water treatment operations Water distribution operations Wastewater treatment operations Wastewater collection operations SCADA/instrument control operations

ABOUT THE PROJECT  GOAL #1: Training The Front Range water and wastewater utilities will conduct and promote training programs to ensure mission critical positions are filled with qualified, trained and technically skilled personnel.  GOAL #2: Outreach and Recruitment The Front Range water and wastewater utilities will conduct adequate outreach and recruitment efforts to ensure interest in, and attraction to, mission-critical positions.

ABOUT THE PROJECT  GOAL # 3: HR/Operations Collaboration The Front Range water and wastewater utilities will enhance collaboration, education and communication between operations staff and human resource professionals to create a positive culture for workforce development.  GOAL #4: Knowledge Management The Front Range water and wastewater utilities will conduct knowledge management and employee retention efforts to ensure mission critical personnel have the knowledge and skills to operate effectively.

ABOUT THE PROJECT Get Into Water! focuses on recruiting and training:  Drinking Water Treatment Operators  Wastewater Treatment Plant operators  Wastewater Collection Operators  Water Distribution Operators  SCADA/Instrument Control Operators

HR/Operations- OBJECTIVES  Conduct activities and provide resources for human resource professionals and operations staff.  Utilize AWWA competency model to develop standardized job descriptions that can be customized by utilities (a subset of work for the HRO Forum members)  Elevate awareness of workforce issues to upper management levels.  Develop career planning tools for new water industry workers.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES  Quarterly HR/Operations forum events  Standardized job descriptions  Career modeling and mapping  Career fairs  Standardized workforce presentations for boards and councils  Executive forum events

KEY FINDINGS  These professionals want to spend time solving problems together  We have system-wide issues related to certification  “HR is too focused on the process instead of a quality outcome (employee)”  “We need to open up the barriers to communication and form stronger partnerships between HR and operations professionals”

KEY FINDINGS  Job description templates are in high demand  Career mapping and competency modeling are critical to recruit and motivate new workers  Building on AWWA work  Certification preparation classes are being offered at some utilities and other extensive training is offered but many Distribution employees still can’t pass certification exams

NEW RESOURCES UNVEILED!  Colorado Water/Wastewater Career Map A visual tool for students, parents, advisers, counselors, and educators to learn about the jobs, skills, and education requirements for a specific career. As additional education and training is completed, the progression of jobs and wages in a career is provided along with the courses, competencies and the skills, courses, certificates and degrees needed to be successful in the career.

Cluster Pathway Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Power, Structural and Technical Systems Colorado-Water Career Clusters Map Key Water and Wastewater Operations Positions Positions Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Water Treatment Plant Operator Distribution System Operator Wastewater Collection Operator Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Water Treatment Plant Operator Distribution System Operator Wastewater Collection Operator DBAC2134 SCADA/Instrumentation Control Technician Architecture and Engineering Engineering Technicians Pathway Cluster DBAC Copyright (c) 2011 State of Colorado

Colorado-Water Career Clusters Map O*Net Code : Water treatment plant and system operators Position Water Treatment Plant Operator D The core competencies were considered the essential tasks and capabilities for water treatment operators at all levels. The core competencies are clustered into the following job duties: Monitor, Evaluate and Adjust Treatment Processes Laboratory Analysis Evaluate Characteristics of Source Water Comply with Drinking Water Regulations Operate and Maintain Equipment Perform Security, Safety and Administrative Procedures *See ABC Need-to-Know Criteria Source: Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) Salary Range: $14.75-$22.46 Experience Required: 1 month Certification Levels: Education Required: HS Equivalent TU’s Salary Range: $16.23-$24.71 Salary Range: $17.85-$27.18 Salary Range: $21.60-$32.88 Experience Required: 2 years Experience Required: 3 years Experience Required: 4 years Education Required: HS Equivalent TU’s Education Required: HS Equivalent +2.4 TU’s Education Required: HS Equivalent TU’s C B A

NEW RESOURCES UNVEILED!  Colorado Water Careers Cluster Map Demonstration

NEW RESOURCES UNVEILED!  Job Description Templates (17 total) Collections I-IV Distribution I-III Water/Wastewater Treatment A-D SCADA/Instrumentation Control (6 positions)

NEW RESOURCES UNVEILED! Job Description Format  FLSA Status  W.C. Classification  Working Conditions and Physical Activities  License, Certificate or Credentials  Experience Required  Education Required  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  Other Duties  Essential Duties  Reporting Relationships  Supervision Exercised  General Statement

NEW RESOURCES UNVEILED!  Job Descriptions for Downloading Demonstration employers/resource-sharing/ employers/resource-sharing/  Standardized Presentation for Downloading Demonstration employers/resource-sharing/ employers/resource-sharing/

QUESTIONS? Contacts:  Kathy Balu  Melanie Fahrenbruch, Project Manager