Utility Management Overview. Water & Wastewater Utility Operation and Management for Tribes

Utility Management Overview Water & Wastewater Utility Operation and Management for Tribes

Utility Management Overview What is the role of utility management? Importance of having a certified operator Interviewing and hiring operators Workforce management

Indian Country Challenges Operators have limited access to classroom and hands-on training i Finding qualified candidates is difficultmany accept higher paying positions on the outside Knowledge of the utility is limited by decreased level of participation in design and construction

Indian Country Challenges (Cont.) Emergency response provisions are typically minimal, i and frequently staff are not cross-trained Operators and managers are expected to perform all aspects of utility management in a learn as you go environment

Effective Utility Management Effective utility management is essential to sustaining i our nation s water and wastewater infrastructure. Can help utilities enhance the stewardship for their infrastructure; Improve performance in many critical areas; and Respond to current and future challenges.

Ten Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities

1. Product quality Ten Attributes Potable water or treated effluent 2. Customer satisfaction Reliable, abe, responsive, s e, and affordable dabe 3. Employee and leadership development Professional development 4. Operational optimization Ongoing, g timely, cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable performance improvements 5. Financial viability Understands the full life-cycle cost of the utility

Ten Attributes 6. Infrastructure stability Understands conditions and costs, proactive 7. Operational resiliency Anticipate tcpateand davoid odpobe problems 8. Community sustainability Understands its role in economic and environmental vitality 9. Water resource adequacy Ensures water availability and protection 10.Stakeholder understanding and support Actively involves stakeholders http://www.watereum.org/10attrib.php

What are the characteristics of a good leader or manager?

Role of a Utility Manager Utility Managers: Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate utility activities. Exercise direct supervision over assigned staff. Prepare budgets and forecast additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.

Role of a Utility Manager Utility Managers also: Recommend the appointment of personnel and provide or coordinate staff training. Ensure utility meets regulatory requirements. Represent the utility to outside agencies and organizations.

What are the duties of an operator?

Roles of Operators The primary roles of an operator are: Keeping all system components functioning efficiently and effectively. Complying with all relevant regulations to protect customer ss health. Maintaining a positive relationship with customers, regulators, and the system decision i makers and keeping them informed of your efforts to provide high quality water or wastewater.

Role of Operators (cont.) Protecting the system against natural disasters and vandalism. Photo by Nick Krug, Lawrence Journal-World

Certified Operators The importance of having a certified operator: Protection of human health and the environment by promoting compliance with the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. To ensure skilled professionals are overseeing the treatment, distribution, and/or disposal of safe drinking water or wastewater.

Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program Increase public health protection through certification for personnel operating public drinking water systems in Indian country EPA is the Certifying Authority EPA will classify all water systems in Indian Country to determine the appropriate certification level (e.g., I, II, III, IV)

Certified Operators (2 of 2) Operator certification information: Drinking Water Operators http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/drinkingwater/pw s/dwoperatorcert/certificaitoncontacts.cfm t/ tifi it t t f Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/wwoperatortrainin g/104g_index.cfm

Benefits: Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program Qualify for funds in the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Tribal Set-Aside (DWIG TSA) program. Participation meets requirement to be qualified under certain Federal drinking water regulations.

Interviewing & Hiring Operators Questions to ask when hiring an operator: Is the operator certified and at the right level? Does the candidate have experience operating your type and size of system (treatment components) and transport (distribution or collection) system?

Interviewing & Hiring Operators How many years of operating experience does the candidate possess? Can the candidate perform basic system troubleshooting and minor repairs? Can the candidate accomplish required operational testing?

Interviewing & Hiring Operators If you will be contracting for an operator, remember to discuss: Contract duration Compensation Workdays Responsibilities (contractor vs. owner)

Workforce Management Many believe a workforce shortage is coming Workforce planning is often overlooked due to infrastructure and regulatory issues One survey shows that qualified treatment and collection/distribution/transmission t ib /t i i system operators will be hard to find

Workforce Management The average age of utility workers is 45, and the average age for retirement is 56 In the next 10 years from 2010, it is expected that 37% of water utility and 31% of wastewater utility workers will retire Additional employee needs in the water sector are expected to grow by 45% in the coming years

Workforce Management Best Practices: Create a team Assess your utility s needs Create a workforce plan

Workforce Management Source: Water Sector Workforce Sustainability Initiative (WRF, 2010)

Workforce Management 1. Training and development Conduct surveys, assess training needs, identify training providers, develop partnerships 2. Compensation and rewards Optimize job classifications, use a skill-based compensation system 3. Workforce/Succession Planning Develop a union agreement and an apprenticeship program

Workforce Management 4. Recruiting and outreach Implement employee referrals, use summer interns, partners with schools, go to job fairs 5. Knowledge retention and management Use software or a central server to store information 6. Generational and cultural awareness Use alternate work schedules and partner with schools

Workforce Management 7. Leadership development Create a learning academy 8. Career planning and management Create a customized plan for each employee, start an employee development or mentoring program 9. Strategy and measures Develop these inline with your utility s strategic business direction