Operator Training and Hiring:
Opportunities at Ohio's
Community Colleges
County Sanitary Engineers Association of Ohio
2012 Winter Conference
Jeff Bates, Professor, Program Coordinator
Environmental Science, Safety & Health
Columbus State Community College
Is there a need for
water/wastewater operators?
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and
System Operators (bls.gov)
2
Is there a need for
water/wastewater operators?
• Environmental Engineering Technicians
(bls.gov)
3
Is there a need for
water/wastewater operators?
• Environmental Science and Protection
Technicians (bls.gov)
4
Where do you obtain entry-level
operators?
• Joe’s cousin
• Training programs
• Technical and community colleges
– A.A.S. degrees and certificate programs
• Interns
• Contract workers
5
Education v. Training
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/ddagw/pws/tabid/5800/Liv
eTabId/113437/Default.aspx
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Why a hire from a community or
technical college?
• Improved ability to pass operator exams
• Ohio EPA experience credit
– Degree or individual courses
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/Portals/28/documents/opcert/2013%20OpCert%20Exam%20Dates%20and%20Deadlines.pdf
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Why a hire from a community or
technical college?
• These students have additional skills
and applied knowledge
– Writing
– Computer
– Math
– Science
– Legal knowledge
• Degreed students see the “big
picture”
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Why use a community or technical
college for education/training?
• Location
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Why use a community or technical
college for education/training?
• To obtain valuable skills in a convenient format
• Class availability
• Cost
– Cost per hour of training often much lower that
other options
– Can use educational reimbursement
• Experienced instructors
• Contact hours for certified operators
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Two-year A.A.S. Environmental
Degrees
• Occupational categories
–
–
–
–
Air quality
Emergency preparedness
Energy
Environmental
information management
systems
– Environmental lab
services
– Site management
– Natural resource
management
– Safety and health
– Solid and hazardous
waste management
– Wastewater
management
– Water supply and quality
– Sustainability
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Columbus State Community College
• A.A.S. in Environmental Science,
Safety & Health (73 credit hours)
• Water/Wastewater Technology
Certificate (34 credit hours)
• A.A.S. in Civil Engineering
Technology
• Various other courses
– Environmental Law, Environmental
Analytical Methods, OSHA classes,
surveying, CAD, etc.
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Columbus State Community College
• Water/Wastewater Technology Certificate
– “Foundation” courses
•
•
•
•
•
ENGL 1100 Composition I
CHEM 0100 Introduction to Chemistry
MATH 1020 Beginning Algebra I
CSCI 1101 Computer Concepts and Applications
ESSH 1101 Intro. to Environmental Science, Safety &
Health
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Columbus State Community College
• Water/Wastewater Technology Certificate
– Technical courses
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ESSH 1140 Industrial/Municipal Pollution Control
ESSH 2220 Drinking Water Treatment
ESSH 2230 Wastewater Treatment
ESSH 2240 Environmental Hydrology
ESSH 2530 Applied Environmental Engineering
CIVL 2210 Principles of Hydraulics
CIVL 2230 Public Utilities Systems
One OSHA class (30 Hr. General Industry or
Construction Industry or 40 Hr HAZWOPER)
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Cincinnati State Technical and
Community College
• A.A.S. in Environmental
Engineering Technology (74
credits)
• A.A.S. in Environmental
Engineering Technology –
Stormwater Major (75 credits)
• A.A.S. in Environmental
Engineering Technology – Water
and Wastewater Major (75 credits)
15
Cuyahoga Community College
• A.A.S. in Environmental Health &
Safety Technology (61-63 credits)
• Environmental Health & Safety
Technology Post-Degree
Certificate (30 credits)
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Owens Community College
• A.A.S in Environmental Health
and Safety Technology (69
credits)
• Water Treatment Certificate
(18 credits)
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Sinclair Community College
• A.A.S. in Environmental
Engineering Technology (72
credits)
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Zane State College
• A.A.S. in Environmental Science,
Safety & Health (71 credits)
• Certificate in Public Water
Systems (13 credits)
• Certificate in Water/Wastewater
Laboratory Skills (20 credits)
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