NATIONAL TRIBAL WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 2018 TRAINING AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE

General Module and Very Small Water System Training and Certification Exam This curriculum covers the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) General Module training course with the addition of water treatment and distribution for very small drinking water systems (VSWS). The General Module is designed for tribal personnel entering into the career path of water and wastewater system operations for the first time, providing a solid foundation of the principles of electricity, hydraulics, water and wastewater systems, basic math, and federal regulations. ITCA Level 1 water and wastewater operator training courses are designed with the expectation that students have already taken introductory training on the topics that are covered in the General Module. The VSWS operator certification exam is offered following each course.

February 26-March 2, 2018, Nice, California (Hosted by: Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians) – Instructor: Kim Yale, Yale Engineering, LLC April 30-May 4, 2018, Anacortes, Washington (Hosted by: Swinomish Casino & Lodge) – Instructor: Mary Howell, Backflow Management, Inc.

Water Treatment Training and Certification Exam Level 1: This course covers Level 1 Water Treatment (WT1) facility operations. Course topics include water sources and quality, treatment processes, disinfection, laboratory analysis, worker safety, math, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. The WT1 operator certification exam is offered following each course.

April 9-13, 2018, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Hosted by: Pueblo of Sandia) – Instructor: Melissa Durbin, Technical Learning College April 9– 12, 2018, Camp Verde, Arizona (Hosted by: Yavapai-Apache Nation Utility Authority) – Instructor: TBD October 1-4, 2018, White Cloud, Kansas (Hosted by: Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska) – Instructor: TBD

Level 2: This course trains qualified Level 1 certified operators in Level 2 Water Treatment (WT2) facility operations. All course work is designed around the processes that will be required of a Level 2 drinking water treatment facility operator. This course has significant content and advanced concept requiring students to study outside the classroom. The WT2 operator certification is offered following the course.

June 11-15, 2018, Maricopa, Arizona (Hosted by: Ak-Chin Indian Community) – Instructor: Melissa Durbin, Technical Learning College Level 3: This course trains qualified Level 2 certified operators in Level 3 Water Treatment (WT3) facility operations. All course work is designed around the processes that will be required of a Level 3 drinking water treatment facility operator. This course has significant content and advanced concept requiring students to study outside the classroom. The WT3 operator certification exam is offered following the course.

September 10-14, 2018, Smith River, California (Hosted by: Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Public Works and Facility Department) – Instructor: Nicole Mangin, MEC TECH Services, Inc.

Water Distribution Training and Certification Exam Level 1: This course covers Level 1 Water Distribution (WD1) system operations. Course topics include drinking water disinfection, hydraulics, pumps, water storage, fire hydrants, meters and valves, math, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. The WD1 operator certification exam is offered following each course.

January 8-12, 2018, Hayward, WI (Hosted by: Lac Courte Oreilles Public Works and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College) - Instructor: Michael Alvidrez, Alvidrez Water Operations April 30-May 4, 2018, Tuba City, Arizona – Instructor: TBD May 14-18, 2018, Mescalero, New Mexico – Instructor: Michael Alvidrez, Alvidrez Water Operations, LLC August 13-17, 2018, Gardnerville, Nevada (Hosted by: Washoe Utility Management Authority) – Instructor: TBD

Level 2: This course trains qualified Level 1 certified operators in Level 2 Water Distribution (WD2) system operations. All course work is designed around the processes that will be required of a Level 2 drinking water distribution system operator. This course has significant content and advanced concept requiring students to study outside of the classroom. The WD2 operator certification exam is offered following each course.

March 12-16, 2018, Fort Pierre, South Dakota (Hosted by: Mni Wiconi Water Treatment Plant) - Instructor: Nicole Mangin, MEC TECH Services, Inc. June 25-29, 2018, Pawhuska, Oklahoma (Hosted by: Osage Nation) – Instructor: Michael Alvidrez, Alvidrez Water Operations, LLC July 16-20, 2018, Big Pine, California (Hosted by: Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley) – Instructor: Michael Alvidrez, Alvidrez Water Operations, LLC July 30-August 3, 2018, Onawa, Iowa (Hosted by: Blackbird Bend Casino) – Instructor: Mary Howell, Backflow Management, Inc. September 24-28, 2018, Watersmeet, Michigan (Hosted by: Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians) – Instructor: Michael Alvidrez, Alvidrez Water Operations, LLC

Level 3: This course trains qualified Level 2 certified operators in Level 3 Water Distribution (WD3) system operations. All course work is designed around the processes that will be required of a Level 3 drinking water distribution system operator. This course has significant content and advanced concept requiring students to study outside of the classroom. The WD3 operator certification exam is offered following the course.

July 30-August 3, 2018, Parker, Arizona (Hosted by: Big River Water Company, Colorado River Indian Tribes) – Instructor: Michael Alvidrez, Alvidrez Water Operations, LLC

Wastewater Collection Training and Certification Exam Level 1: This course covers Level 1 Wastewater Collection (WWC1) system operations. Course topics include wastewater collection, pipeline inspection, operations & maintenance, lift stations, and math. The WWC1 operator certification exam is offered following each course.

April 3-5, 2018, Winterhaven, California (Hosted by: Quechan Indian Tribe, Public Works Department) – Instructor: Kim Yale, Yale Engineering, LLC July 24-26, 2018, Macy, Nebraska (Hosted by: Nebraska Indian Community College) – Instructor: Kim Yale, Yale Engineering, LLC August 27-29, 2018, Pablo, Montana (Hosted by: Salish Kootenai College Hydrology Program) - Instructor: Kim Yale, Yale Engineering, LLC

Level 2: This course trains qualified Level 1 certified operators in Level 2 Wastewater Collection (WWC2) system operations. All course work is designed around the processes that will be required of a Level 2 wastewater collection system operator. This course has significant content and advanced concept requiring students to study outside of the classroom. The WWC2 operator certification exam is offered following each course.

June 4-8, 2018, Santa Fe, New Mexico (Hosted by: Pueblo of Pojoaque, Tribal Works Department) – Instructor: Nicole Mangin, MEC TECH Services, Inc. July 9-13, 2018, Smith River, California (Hosted by: Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Public Works and Facility Department) – Instructor: Nicole Mangin, MEC TECH Services, Inc.

Wastewater Treatment Training and Certification Exam Level 1: This course covers Level 1 Wastewater Treatment (WWT1) facility operations. Course topics include an overview of activated sludge wastewater treatment with review of process components, biological principles of process control using laboratory sampling and testing as well as observations and appearances of treated wastewater sludge, and math. The WWT1 operator certification exam is offered following each course.

March 12-16, 2018, Pauma Valley, California (Hosted by: Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians) – Instructor: Mary Howell, Backflow Management, Inc. May 14-18, 2018, Hayward, Wisconsin (Hosted by: Lac Courte Oreilles Public Works) – Instructor: Nicole Mangin, MEC TECH Services, Inc.

Level 2: This course trains qualified Level 1 certified operators in Level 2 Wastewater Treatment (WWT2) facility operations. All course work is designed around the processes that will be required of a Level 2 wastewater treatment facility operator. This course has significant content and advanced concept requiring students to study outside of the classroom. The WWT2 operator certification exam is offered following the course.

August 6-10, 2018, Chandler, Arizona (Hosted by: Gila River Indian Community, Department of Public Works) – Instructor: Nicole Mangin, MEC TECH Services, Inc.

Computer-Based and Paper-Booklet Testing Computer-Based Testing (CBT) provides a year-round (January 5, 2018, to December 29, 2018) opportunity for eligible tribal water and wastewater personnel to achieve professional certification. Preparatory training is not included. Certification exams are available through CBT at over 200 testing locations nationwide. Pre-registration and approval required for each CBT appointment. Paper-Booklet Testing (PBT) exam sessions provides a opportunity for eligible tribal water and wastewater personnel to achieve professional certification. Preparatory training is not provided by ITCA. The PBT Sessions will be announced throughout the year via email and published on the ITCA TWS website.

Continue Education Training Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 101: Basics and Consumer Confidence Reporting Training: This course provides a comprehensive overview of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the associated regulatory rules, and monitoring and reporting, and public notice requirements. In addition, it provides assistance in completing Consumer Confidence Reports.

March 19-22, 2018, Fort Wingate, New Mexico (Hosted by: B.I.E. Facility Management ) – Instructor: Nora Romero, Nora Romero Environmental Consulting, LLC

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 202: Compliance Monitoring & Lab Awareness Training: This course addresses compliance monitoring requirements, a detailed look at the Standard Monitoring Framework, sampling procedures, Site Sampling Plans, principles of Chain-of-Custody and sample integrity, dealing with contracted laboratories, monitoring waivers, public notice requirements and other compliance issues.

June 25-27, 2018, Phoenix, Arizona – Instructors: Kim Yale, Yale Engineering, LLC, and Elizabeth Baker, TestAmerica

Tribal Utility Management Training: This course trains Tribal water and wastewater utility personnel on the principles of Effective Utility Management. Course topics will focus on utility management, financial capacity, managerial capacity, regulatory compliance and planning, operations and maintenance (O&M) responsibilities, and workforce management including worker succession planning and public relations strategies. The ITCA Tribal Utility Management - Level 1 certification exam is offered following the course.

April 23-27, 2018, Valley Center, California (Hosted by: Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians) – Instructor: Michael Alvidrez, Alvidrez Water Operations, LLC

Advisory Committee Meeting: The Advisory Committee was established to advise the ITCA in implementing and administering the National Tribal Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Program. The Advisory Committee Meeting provides a forum for the discussion of the ITCA Program’s certification, training, and technical assistance services. The members of the committee participate on a voluntary basis.

March 26, 2018, Phoenix, Arizona August 28, 2018, Temecula, California (Hosted by: Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians - Tribal Government Center)

Tribal Water Operator Summits: Each summit provides a forum for tribal water and wastewater personnel to attend short training seminars, exchange ideas, learn from each other and contribute directly to the continuing development and planning of ITCA program services. Operators are encouraged to participate in the roundtable sharing and networking session.

National Tribal Operator Workgroup, March 27-28, 2018, Phoenix, Arizona National O&M Summit, featuring Water Loss Management Workshop and O&M Training Seminars: August 28-30, 2018, Temecula, California (Hosted by: Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians - Tribal Government Center)

Tribal Utility Tune-up Workshops: This one-day retreat is conducted for individual Tribal water utility for optimization. The workshop explores the ten attributes of effective utility management and then facilitates the utility self-assessment. The utility’s strengths and opportunities for improvement are identifies and an action plan is created. Eight Tribal utility programs will be selected for individual tune-up workshops. Contact ITCA if you would like to schedule a tune-up for your Tribal utility program.

Locations and dates are subject to change. Please check published announcements for final locations and dates. ITCA reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any training/meeting event. In the event of a training/meeting change, all registrants for that event will be notified in advance as early as possible.

The Inter Tribal Council Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) Tribal Water Systems (TWS) Program provides training and professional operator certification for water and wastewater personnel working on Tribal lands. At each training or meeting event listed above, attendees will earn training contact hours that may be accepted towards pre-certification training for new certification or professional development hour (PDH) credit for renewal of existing professional certification.

ITCA is dedicated to providing Technical Assistance (TA) to tribes in order to develop technical, managerial, and financial capacity (TMF), as well as water & wastewater utility sustainability through education, access to resources, and training. These TA services are provided FREE of charge while funding is available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.itcaonline.com/tws OR CALL THE ITCA TWS PROGRAM AT (602) 258-4822