Meeting Minutes
The Nevada Board of Certification for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators is operated for the State of Nevada by the Nevada Water Environment Association (NWEA). We post our Meeting Minutes for your convenience.
02/16/2011
Meeting Minutes November 2010
Nevada Board of Certification
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2010
CCWRD
Las Vegas, NV
Meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM
Attendees: John Solvie, Kelvin Ikehara, Harvey Johnson, Bill Shepard, Joe Crim, Starlin Jones, Adrian Edwards, and Jennifer McMartin
Absent: None
Item #1
Introduction of guest
• None
Item #2
Approval of minutes of August 12, 2010 meeting
• Motion made by Kelvin, 2nd by John to approve. Motion carries
Item #3
Program Administrator Report
• Program Administrator Report
o Number of exams administered are going up. Renewals are down. WWTP Operator and Collections numbers are up.
• Computerized exams update
o Overall computer exams are doing well, but more study time is still needed by examinees.
Item #4
Assistant Program Administrator Items
• Certification Board member terms expiring. (Joe, Adrian, Starlin, Kelvin)
o Joe Crim, Adrian Edwards, Kelvin Ikehara expressed their desire to retain their seats. Starlin Jones is stepping down. Letters of interest will be sent to the Executive Board. The Executive Board will advertise the opening.
o SOPs for the Board officers need to be established.
• APA Inventory
o A list of Certification Board files and locations was presented to the Board.
• NTC Certification Article
o Jennifer will put together an article for this publication.
• APA Revised Contract
o The new APA contract is awaiting approval from the President of NWEA.
• Replacement Proctor
o Our current Las Vegas proctor has a conflict on some of the exam dates. The APA will be looking for a replacement.
Item #5
NDEP contract/regulation changes
• Contract
o November 1st the contract will go into effect with some new changes.
• Facility List NVRWA
o A request has been sent to NVRW
• Mandatory CEU’S
o Tabled
• Mandatory Programs
o Tabled
• Fee Increase
o Tabled
Item #6
Continuing education participation update
• There are 55 participants
Item #7
Distance Education/Online Courses
• The list of approved course will be emailed to the Board each time it is updated.
Item #8
Policies & Procedures
• Renewal Notification Policy
o Revisions to the policies were made to match the new language of the NDEP contract. Motion made by John, 2nd by Joe. Motion carries.
Item # 9
ABC Update
• CBT Biometric Verification
o AMP is now offering electronic fingerprinting of examinees. The Board decided not to pursue at this time.
• Certified Water Professional (ABC/AWWA/WEF)
o ABC is working on a nationally-recognized professional operator designation in cooperation with WEF and AWWA.
• Standardized Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Exams
o After ABC completed its psychometric audit process it was determined that if even one question is changed by a testing client on a standardized exam, ABC can no longer legally defend it as a standardized exam. Because of the legal liability NWEA will no longer be using the grade I Wastewater exams that include the additional 10 pond questions. The Board voted to begin using the ABC Standardized Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator exam. John will draft a letter to NDEP and copy NVRWA regarding the Board’s decision.
• Enhanced Exam Psychometrics
o ABC has partnered with a Professional Testing Incorporated for psychometric oversight of ABC’s exam development process.
• Reciprocity – ABC Exam Equivalency Chart
o ABC will be reviewing the Exam Equivalency Chart for use by members as it does not reflect the most up to date information. The Board will continue to use until a determination is made by ABC.
• Industrial Waste Inspector Exam
o This exam is aNevada prescriptive exam as ABC does not currently develop exams for this job discipline. The Certification Board will reevaluate this exam in 2011.
Item #10
Training Update
• Tri-State had many good tracks and was well attended.
Item #11
Water Certification Board Update
• Jennifer Carr is running operations in the interim until a replacement is found.
Item # 12
Website update
• Jennifer is updating on a regular basis.
Item #13
New business for consideration at next meeting.
Item #14
Next Board Meeting
o February 10, 2011 via conference call.
• Northern Board members will meet at DCSID
• Southern Board members will meet at CCWRD
Adjourned
1:00 PM