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Operator Certification Update Utility Technology Conference March 14, 2013. Alan Cranford, Chair Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Board . Acknowledgements. Joe Holmes (Director) - Fleming Training Center Sherry Messick (Certification Program Coordinator) – Fleming Training Center
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Operator Certification UpdateUtility Technology ConferenceMarch 14, 2013 Alan Cranford, Chair Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Board
Acknowledgements • Joe Holmes (Director) - Fleming Training Center • Sherry Messick (Certification Program Coordinator) – Fleming Training Center • Association of Boards of Certification (ABC)
Agenda • Operator Certification Board • Examinations • Water Treatment/Distribution (Examination Results) • Wastewater Treatment/Collection System (Examination Results) • Exam Pass Rate Comparisons • Pass Rate Per Education Level • Certification Training Questionnaire Results • Top 5 Areas of Non Mastery • Key Points for Taking the Exam • Textbook Reference List • Biggest Issues Before the Board • General Notes • Questions
Operator Certification Board Purpose • The General Assembly established the operator certification program and created the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Board in 1971 • As stated in T.C.A. §68-221-902, the Board's purpose is to administer a program of certification for operators of water and wastewater systems that will ensure proper operation of such systems and protect the public and environment
Operator Certification Board Duties of the Board are specified in TCA 68-221-906 • Implementation and enforcement of rules necessary for proper program administration • Holding at least one (1) examination annually • Advertising and promoting the program • Encouraging operators to become certified in addition to those required by law • Distributing applications and notices • Receiving and evaluating applications • Preparing, conducting and grading examinations • Setting up a system of fees and late penalties for applicants
Operator Certification Board Duties of the Board are specified in TCA 68-221-906 • Maintaining all records of the program, and maintaining a register of certified operators • Promoting and scheduling regular training schools and programs • Hearing appeals from orders or ruling issued by the Commissioner • Recommending to the Commissioner the staff required to effectively administer the program
Operator Certification Board Funding • Program fee revenues • Federal moneys from the Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund and the Expense Reimbursement Grant Staff • Certification Program Coordinator • Administrative Secretary • File Clerk/Receptionist
Operator Certification Board Board • Operator of the highest class representing certified operators – Recommended by the Tennessee Water and Wastewater Association • Operator representing certified operators – Recommended by the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts • Representing Municipal Government – Recommended by the Tennessee Municipal League • Representing University Faculty – Recommended by the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers • Ex-Officio member – Manager of Quality Assurance and Enforcement for the Division of Water Supply and representing the Department of Environment and Conservation
Operator Certification Board Current Board Members • Alan Cranford – Chair • Darryl Green • Randal Braker • Dr. Larry Moore • Sherwin Smith – Ex-Officio member (Representing the TDEC)
Examinations • Examinations have Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) and Tennessee questions • Initial development guidelines from the Tennessee Need to Know (NTK) criteria • Approximately 75% ABC, 25% Tennessee • ABC - Process, Operations, Maintenance, General, Procedures, Data Interpretation, Public Health, Science, Safety and Rules • Tennessee – Math and Rules (to include ethics)
Examinations ABC questions are written at three levels of knowledge (i.e., comprehension, application, analysis) • Comprehension is the most basic level of understanding and remembering. Items written at the comprehension level require examinees to recognize, remember, or identify important ideas • Items written at the application level require examinees to interpret, calculate, predict, use or apply information and solve problems • Items written at the analysis level require examinees to compare, contrast, diagnose, examine, analyze, and relate important concepts
Examinations • Need to Know is based upon specific certification • Knowledge required of an operator • Subject matter and understanding of each classification • Certify knowledge of subject matter • Process • Biological, chemical processes • Machinery or equipment actions or functions • Operations • Activities • Exercise judgment • Take action to affect processes • Plant design and plant construction
Examinations • Maintenance • Preventative, routine and emergency • Troubleshooting and problem identification • General • Basic knowledge • Procedures • Lab • Industry procedure • Data Interpretation • Received • Analyzed • Acted upon
Examinations • Public Health • Impact on public health • Laws • Rules and regulations • Quality control • Compliance • Math – Use of Mathematics Formula Booklet • Basic operations • Graphs • Tables • Formulas • Conversions
Examinations • Science • Basic science • Biology • Chemistry • Microbiology • Safety • Recommended or required safety practice • Identification categories, procedures and violations • Description categories, procedures and violations • Rules • Federal rules (USEPA) • State rules (TDEC) • To include ethics
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons November 1, 2012 Exam
Pass Rate Per Education Level November 1, 2012 Exam
Pass Rate Per Education Level November 1, 2012 Exam
Certification Training Questionnaire November 1, 2012
Certification Training Questionnaire November 1, 2012
Certification Training Questionnaire November 1, 2012
Top 5 Areas of Non Mastery November 1, 2012
Top 5 Areas of Non Mastery November 1, 2012
Key Points for the Taking the Exam • Requires dedication of study time in addition to classes • Attend multiple classes to better prepare • Utilize Operator Certification Study Guide as resource • Passing does not require a BS or higher degree • Textbook Reference List located on Fleming Training Center website • ABC has been involved in the Tennessee Certification Program since 1978 to some degree
Biggest Issues Before the Board • Extension of time to replace certified operator • Extension of time to acquire continuing education • Receipt of application after deadline • Receipt of renewal payment late • New certification exam
General Notes • Online Services • Renew your Operators Certificate* • View Continuing Education Status • Update your Personal Information • 2013 Exam Application Deadlines • March 2, 2013 • September 7, 2013 • 2013 Exam Dates • May 2, 2013 • November 7, 2013 *Go to http://www.tn.gov/environment/fleming/online Past
