1 of 31

Professional Operator Certification

Presented by

Kathy Weinsaft, WARWS

Kim Parker, WDEQ

LeAnna Risso, ETC

2 of 31

Topics of Conversation

  • Introductions
  • What is a Professional Operator (PO)?
  • Inception & Evolution of the PO Program
  • PO Certification Process
  • Why Become a PO? One PO’s Testimony
  • Operator Feedback – What Do You Think?

3 of 31

Introductions

  • Kathy Weinsaft, WARWS

​

  • Kim Parker, WDEQ

​

  • LeAnna Risso, ETC

4 of 31

What is a Professional Operator?

  • Water professional who has mastered elements of their trade

​

  • Met eligibility requirements in education and experience

​

  • Passed an internationally recognized exam

5 of 31

Inception & Evolution of the PO

  • 2005 – Hurricane Katrina
    • Category 5 Atlantic Hurricane
    • Devastated much of the Gulf Coast
    • 1,800+ Deaths
    • 800,000+ Housing Units Destroyed
    • Infrastructure Damaged / Destroyed
    • Cost >$125 Billion

6 of 31

Inception & Evolution of the PO

7 of 31

Inception & Evolution (cont.)

  • Disaster Relief Inhibited
    • Certified water & wastewater professionals sat idle in nearby hotels and disaster relief camps

​

    • Their certifications not recognized by other jurisdictions

8 of 31

Inception & Evolution (cont.)

  • Disaster Relief Inhibited (cont.)
    • States lacked mechanism to quickly evaluate external certification for granting reciprocity
      • Some have inhibitory restrictions

9 of 31

Inception & Evolution (cont.)

  • Unifying Idea
    • Standardized Credentials
    • Defined Eligibility Requirements
      • Education
      • Experience
      • Exam
    • Recognition for Reciprocity

10 of 31

Inception & Evolution (cont.)

  • Water Professionals International (ABC)
    • Certification Commission for Environmental Professionals (C2EP)
    • Promote Certification
      • Protect Public Health & the Environment
      • Facilitate Recognition of Operators as Professionals
      • Assist the Transfer of Certification Between Certifying Authorities

11 of 31

PO Certification Process

12 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

13 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

14 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

15 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

16 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

17 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

18 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

19 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

20 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

21 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

22 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

  • Application Process
    • Gather Documentation
    • Create PO Profile (Certemy)
    • Submit Application ($145 Application Fee)
    • Pass Exam ($69 Exam Admin Fee)
    • Code of Conduct

23 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

24 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

25 of 31

PO Certification Process (cont.)

26 of 31

Why Become a PO?

  • Testimony from a Professional Operator

​

  • LeAnna shared with us her reasons for becoming a PO, even though she was already certified as a Level 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant operator in Nevada, and what it means to her.

27 of 31

Operator Feedback

    • Integrity
    • Honesty
    • Experience
    • Mobility
    • Excellence
    • Mentor
    • Education
    • Commitment
    • Pride
    • Caring for Others
    • Dedication

What does being a Professional Operator mean to you?

28 of 31

Operator Feedback (cont.)

  • What advantages do you see to being a Professional Operator?
    • Mobility
    • Emergency Response
    • Improve resume
    • Competitive edge over other candidates for a job
    • Sense of Accomplishment
    • More opportunities in career
    • Mentoring

29 of 31

Operator Feedback (cont.)

  • What disadvantages do you see to being a Professional Operator?
    • More may be expected of you-higher standards
    • Disadvantage in job hunting if viewed as over-qualified
    • Potential for increased liability

30 of 31

Operator Feedback (cont.)

  • What obstacles do you see to becoming a Professional Operator?
    • Taking additional tests
    • Taking additional training
    • PO standards higher than Wyoming’s
    • Opinion of public that being recognized as a professional is not important

31 of 31

Contact Info

​

Kathy Weinsaft

Kweinsaft@warws.com

​

Kim Parker

Kim.Parker@wyo.gov

​

LeAnna Risso

LeAnna.Risso@ETC-NV.com

​