Our interview begins with Tim Runde, PO, Treatment Manager at the Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Facility, smiling apologetically as he gestures towards his phone, telling me that he may get a notification as we chat, as he never turns it off. This brief reminder encapsulates Tim’s work ethic. For the Treatment Manager at a large wastewater facility, there is no “clocking out.” Runde remains within reach of his team, always willing to lend a hand and his voice, especially in times of crisis. His dedication over the years has earned him this position and remains the hallmark of his journey to leadership.
Back in 2009, Runde attended the University of Wisconsin. While he was there, he found himself in a position most undergraduate students know well: majoring in a field he wasn’t sure was right for him. Runde knew he wanted to work with his hands, which led him to explore classes that focused on soil and water. Quickly, he found his calling, which opened opportunities to participate in programs like the Undergraduate Research Symposium, where he made his own digester. This culminated in him graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Soil and Waste Resource Management.
Upon graduation, Runde found himself at a roadblock. There were few open positions where he lived in Wisconsin. However, there was an open position in Des Moines as a Wastewater Operator Specialist. At a crossroads, he turned to his mother’s wisdom, who encouraged him to make the move. In January 2014, he left his internship in Wausau and began working for the city of Des Moines. For two years, he participated in an apprenticeship program at DMACC, which led to his promotion to Wastewater Training Specialist.
Runde worked for eight years in that position. During that time, he continued to raise the standard for operator excellence, earning his Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade IV, Biosolids Land Application Class I, Water Treatment Operator Class II, and Wastewater Collection System Operator Grade II. His experience, knowledge, and drive for continued professionalism led him to apply for and earn the Professional Operator certification, WPI’s premier designation for water and wastewater operators. Runde notes, “As a non-engineer, to go and get something that puts the credential out there that I have achieved a higher level—beyond state to nationally and internationally—it’s a big point of pride.”
In 2025, it was this dedication to excellence and perseverance that led to his promotion as Treatment Manager at the Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Years of hard work, strong mentorship, and collaboration with his team of fellow operators had paved the way to this special moment. Now, he champions the voices of the operators he leads at the facility. I witnessed this firsthand when, early in our call, he shifted his camera to show me the wall of certifications outside his office. These certifications are not just Runde’s; they encapsulate all his operators’ achievements. He says proudly that it is so everyone can see how qualified his staff are.
Runde is a large proponent of operators pursuing credentials. For Runde’s operators, the highest level of certification is pushed if possible. They offer a pay incentive for Grades I, II, and III, but they “have more grade IVs than [they’ve] ever had before,” which Runde credits solely to the motivation of the operators. He says, “Taking it to a much higher level, a much more difficult exam… is a care and understanding and belief in what they are doing.”
As for Runde, his journey has allowed him a new outlook on the wastewater profession. He knows that when he started, there was a bit of dry humor about “working at the poop plant,” but as his professional path advanced, it changed how he discussed his work. He tells me that deeper knowledge and understanding were born, crediting the profession’s greater emphasis on education and workforce diversity.
When I ask what he believes the next generation of operators will need the most, he cites those two factors. Runde stresses that operators will need to communicate their work more clearly as facilities garner more national attention. He says, too, that operators interested in the advanced levels of certification ought not to write off higher education. He wisely notes it’s about taking it at your own pace, saying there’s a happy balance between trade and traditional education pathways: “Go on your own time, find the thing that works for you, and then get educated.”
As the call draws to a close, it remains clear that Runde and WPI agree on one of the most important aspects of credentialing: it’s not just about having another piece of paper, badge, or title. It is about showcasing the true professionalism that comes with being an operator. As the industry garners more visibility, highlighting operators’ incredible work ethic and qualifications to their communities is important. The Professional Operator designation is a distinction, allowing operators to point to a credential that allows them recognition and freedom for potential reciprocity. Runde is a perfect example of dedication to the field, and we can think of no one better to uphold the Professional Operator title.
Are you a Professional Operator or do you work with one?
We’d love to hear your story. Contact [email protected] for a chance to be featured in our PO Spotlight series.
