The Industry's Need

For many, many years the education and training   programs of the Texas water utilities industry have been dependent upon the Water and Wastewater Training Division, Texas Engineering Extension Service, Texas A&M University (T.E.E.X.) to supply the majority of the classroom instructors for the operator courses offered. The Texas Water Utilities Association also utilized T.E.E.X. as the source for instructors for its Annual and Regional Schools. Other individuals (non-T.E.E.X.) were sometimes utilized, but only if they had completed the vocational training required to become an "qualified instructor" through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In some parts of the State, there were no "qualified instructors" available. This led to the offering of water and wastewater operator courses utilizing a symposium-styled class (wherein several guest speakers would do small portions of the course).

History has clearly shown that offering water and wastewater operator courses in a symposium format is not an effective teaching method for licensing purposes, and is probably inappropriate in most cases. Exceptions to this policy may, however, be appropriate for a Rules and Regulations Update Course, a Special Topics Course, the Advanced Laboratory Course, etc.; courses where no course designation is necessary and no outlines or manuals are available.

Because of a reduction in the number of instructors T.E.E.X. can make available for the T.W.U.A. Annual and Regional Schools, there is a need for an additional "pool" of instructors for these educational events. To have someone become a TCEQ "qualified instructor" requires quite an investment of both time and money on the part of the employer and of the individual.

The T.W.U.A. Response

In response to the above need, and with the cooperation of the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Units of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, T.W.U.A. has introduced a Water Utilities Instructor Accreditation Program. Under this program, T.W.U.A. seeks to find individuals who are very experienced in various sectors of our industry, but who may not be proficient in instructional skills. Such individuals, if interested, are required to attend the 40 hour Instructional Design & Evaluation and 40 hour Effective Instructional Techniques courses. These courses are designed to instruct the participant in such skills as lesson planning, conducting a class, the theory of adult education, etc. In brief, the course encapsulates the 80 hours of vocational training an individual must complete to become a qualified instructor.

The individual is qualified (authorized) only to instruct (1) specific courses, as indicated on his/her Certificate of Accreditation and (2) at a school, seminar, symposium, or other educational offering sponsored by the Texas Water Utilities Association or its subsidiary Regions, Sections, Districts or Chapters.

Applying for Qualification

First, the prospective applicant must be a current, individual member of the Texas Water Utilities Association.

Second, the prospective instructor must complete the application process. This process includes completion and submittal of an application form (available through T.W.U.A.) accompanied by documentation of the applicant's education, training and experience) to the T.W.U.A. Central Office. Payment of the Initial Application Fee must also accompany the application form.

It is extremely important that all applicants be very specific in providing information about their experience in the water utilities industry. In most cases, this will necessitate attaching a detailed resume to the application form. The Review Committee will attempt to make the proper judgment as to which courses an applicant's experience should qualify him/her to teach after completion of the other requirements of the program, but this judgment can only be as accurate as the information supplied. All applicants must be specific as to which sectors of the industry (surface water, groundwater, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, laboratory, etc.) they have worked in, as well as what tasks they actually performed. One's experience record must reflect, in the judgment of the Review Committee, that the applicant would be able to instruct the courses for which the applicant is to be granted qualification.

Third, the Water Utilities Instructor Application Review Committee will review the application and consider the applicant's request to teach specific courses. A decision will be made as to which courses the applicant will be eligible to teach if he/she completes the accreditation program.

In the event an applicant does not agree with the Review Committee's decision as to which courses he/she will be accredited to instruct, the following avenue is available as an appeals process:

1. The applicant submits (a) a letter requesting reevaluation by the Review Committee for a specific course decision, (b) a more detailed record of their experience and training information relevant to the particular course the applicant wishes to instruct, and (c) a proposed course outline for the course in question.
2. The Review Committee reviews the request for reevaluation and notifies the applicant of its reevaluation decision, which is final.

Fourth, and finally, the prospective instructor enrolls in and successfully completes the two 40 hour Courses. Upon successful completion thereof, the applicant is issued a Certificate of Qualification which lists the course(s) he/she may then instruct at educational offerings sponsored by T.W.U.A.

It should be noted, in many cases, the sequence of these steps may be different. One may attend the two 40 Hour Courses and then apply to become a Qualified Instructor. An individual may also apply to become a Qualified Instructor and attend the courses, prior to the Applicant Review Committee making a decision as to which courses (if any) he/she may be qualified to instruct. Any sequence of these events is acceptable, provided that each of the steps are fulfilled. It is important to realize that it is possible for one to complete all four steps and not be qualified. Qualification is dependent upon the recommendation of the Review Committee.

Understanding Qualification

Again, it is important to realize T.W.U.A. is an Approved Training provider by TCEQ than the Association will qualify each instructor. Individuals who become qualified under this program are allowed to instruct water and wastewater operator courses under the following conditions:

1. These courses are the courses listed on the individual's Certificate of Qualification.
2. The course is being offered at a T.W.U.A. sponsored education or training functions, such as the Annual and Regional Schools or a Specialty Seminar .
3. If instructing the Water Utilities Management Course, the instructor must utilize the WATER UTILITIES MANAGEMENT MANUAL published by and available through the Texas Water Utilities Association.
4. The individual's Water Utilities Instructor Qualified is valid. All Qualified Instructor Programs expire, unless renewed, at the end of a three year validity period.

Qualification Requirements

The basic requirements for an individual to become a T.W.U.A. Qualified Instructor are:

1. Three years hands-on experience in a particular sector of the utility (i.e. Surface Water Production, Wastewater Treatment, etc.) or an approved equivalent,
2. Grade or Class B certificate of competency (or equivalent) in the particular water utility sector is required (unless waived by the Applicant Review Committee), and
3. Successful completion of the T.W.U.A. Qualified Instructor Course (or approved instructional training equivalent).

The Course

It must be understood that (1) attending the Water Utilities Instructor Courses and (2) becoming an Qualified Instructor are two separate activities. Although course attendance is a prerequisite to becoming qualified (unless waived by the Review Committee), some may wish to attend the course even if they have no interest in becoming qualified, or after learning the Review Committee has not approved their being qualified. Attending the Water Utilities Instructor Course does not earn operator licensing credits. Becoming qualified to instruct courses and serving as an instructor, however, presents an opportunity to earn credits while doing so. The 40-hour courses are intense but not difficult. There is homework and students are expected to participate in classroom activities and discussions. There are several requirements for successful completion:

1. Forty hours of attendance is mandatory in both courses,
2. Development and oral presentation of a 10 to 12-minute lesson plan ( NOT job-related), and
3. A minimum score of seventy percent (70%) on the exit exam.

Should an applicant fail to complete the course, either because of absenteeism or because of failing the course examination, he/she may attend either of the next two available course offerings (or the portion needed for completion) without an additional fee.

Validity Period and Renewal

The T.W.U.A. Water Utilities Instructor Qualification is valid for three years, provided that the qualified instructor maintains active membership in T.W.U.A. The renewal process consists of the following steps:

1. Submitting documentation of 30 hours of approved continuing education credits (obtained during the validity period of the individuals Certificate of Qualification). Continuing education credits are to be earned at the rate of one hour of credit per one hour of actual teaching, with not more than half of the 30 hours to be actual classroom instruction. The remaining renewal hours may be composed of any of the following recommended training:
   1. Rules & Regulations Update (20 hours),
   2. Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Fire Protection Training Division, Vocational Instructor Courses (40 hours each),
   3. The eight-hour Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Seminar for water and wastewater instructors, or
   4. Repeating the Water Utilities Instructor Qualification Course.
2. Submitting the $ 30.00 renewal fee.

Fee Structure

The following is a breakdown of the fees for the T.W.U.A. Water Utilities Instructor Qualification Program at the time of this printing:

 Course Registration Fee $250.00 for members (preregistration)

It should be noted the schedule of fees shown above may change (as needed) and T.W.U.A. assumes no liability for notification of any price increases.

Closing Comments

It is our belief that the T.W.U.A. Water Utilities Instructor Qualification Program will assist the water utilities industry by developing an additional "pool" of authorized instructors for the education and training programs of this Association. The goal of the program is to prepare those who are experts in their particular sector of our profession to share their expertise with others in a classroom setting, by helping them to become adequately familiar with the principles and skills needed for effective adult education and training. For additional information about the Water Utilities Qualification Program, or to obtain an application form, please contact the T.W.U.A. Central Office.