Florida Program Number:  P150527
Total Hours: 405 Hours

MISSION:
The purpose of this program is to provide the most effective training that will deliver top quality employees in the water treatment facilities.  This training also prepares students for employment or advanced training in the water treatment industry in accordance with Chapter 62-550, 555, 560, 600, 601, 602, 620, 640 and 699 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), as approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

DESCRIPTION:
The content covered includes, but is not limited to, treatment facility unit processes and operational techniques; wastewater quality and identification; identifying treatment goals and measuring their achievement; disinfection; process control techniques; sampling, testing, and laboratory analysis; supervision; operation maintenance and inspection of facility equipment; application of current DEP regulation and  standards; facility administration and  management techniques; and troubleshooting operational control problems. The emphasis is on skills that are needed for effective treatment process control and troubleshooting.

UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS:

• The State of Florida requires students to meet a basic skills requirement prior to program completion.
• The basic skills grade levels for this program are : Mathematics 9.0, Language 9.0 and Reading 9.0
•  The student must be 18 years of age or older
• Must have a high school diploma or a GED
• Have a valid driver’s license.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/OTHER:
Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator certificates are available in levels D, C, B, and A from the Department of Environmental Protection.  The student must complete the required course work, meet the work experience requirements and pass the appropriate certification examination.   

JOB TRAINING INCLUDES: Occupational Completion Point (OCP)
OCPs provide a student with early completion training options linked to employment opportunities established by the Florida Department of Education based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and accepted industry titles.

Local employers have verified that the range of wages that can be reasonably expected by students who enter this field upon completion of the program is:

From $25,000.00 annually to $38,000.00 annually
(Based on year-round, full-time employment)

OCP A: 

Wastewater Operator Trainee, Level 3 Wastewater  Treatment Plant Operator  (155 Hours)

• Identify professions related to the water technology field
• Identify scientific concepts common in wastewater treatment
• Identify safety hazards associated with water technologies
• Identify federal, state, and local regulations for the handling, storage, and use of toxic and hazardous materials
• Solve basic math problems common to water technologies
• Define pumping and basic hydraulic principals
• Define principles of disinfection
• Define sampling techniques
• Define federal, state, and local regulations  that apply to water technologies
• Demonstrate employability skills
• Identify the basic characteristics and principles of wastewater treatment
• Identify sampling techniques and interpret the results
• Describe the sources of wastewater and the types of collection systems
• Describe the process and the operational principles for the preliminary, primary, secondary and tertiary treatment (the treatment train); effluent disposal; and solids management
• Perform treatment-process control and troubleshooting for the treatment train, effluent disposal, and solids management
• Perform equipment inspection, and identify basic maintenance for the treatment train, effluent disposal, and solids management
• Identify and correct facility operational problems
• Identify federal, state, and local regulations governing wastewater technologies
• Describe federal, state, and local regulations for the handling, storage, and use of toxic and hazardous materials

OCP B:  Level “B” Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator  (130 Hours)

• Identify the constituents of influent and its effect on the treatment process
• Identify the constituents of wastewater and select the appropriate treatment
• Demonstrate advanced sampling techniques and interpret results
• Describe  process optimization for preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment (the treatment train); effluent disposal, and solids management
• Describe advanced treatment process control for the treatment train , effluent disposal, and solids management
• Describe advanced equipment inspection and preventive maintenance for the treatment train, effluent disposal, and solids management
• Describe and correct facility operational problems ·Apply federal, state, and local regulations governing wastewater technologies
• Apply federal, state, and local regulation for the handling, storage, and use of toxic and hazardous materials
• Describe energy conservation and identify ways to conserve energy in the wastewater treatment facility ·Demonstrate supervisory skills

OCP C:  Level “A” Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator   (120 Hours)

• Discuss facility management skills
• Demonstrate methods of organization and control
• Develop a plan for cost management
• Prepare budgets and personnel assignments
• Develop standard operating procedures for the training and orientation of new employees ·Demonstrate personnel selection and discipline
• Demonstrate contingency planning
• Develop a plan for energy conservation
• Demonstrate record keeping and use of computer application in planning
• Demonstrate process optimization for water or wastewater treatment facilities
• Interpret permits and blueprints
• Develop a laboratory plan for process control
• Employ public-relations skills in community interactions

Currently (2008-09) Mid Florida Tech is only offering Level C licensure preparation, OCP A 155 hours.