Dominique Collins, PO, is candid about stumbling into the water industry. Chuckling on the phone, she notes that when looking at the City of Washington D.C.’s apprenticeship programs, she happened to see a listing for an apprenticeship with DC Water. “I didn’t know what I was getting into,” she admits, “but I applied.” At the time, it was just an application, one of several she sent out. “Thank God this is the one that called me back,” she laughs. This gratitude is shared by her supervisors at DC Water and WPI staff. No one can deny that, though Collins may have stumbled into the job posting, she’s hit her stride as an apprentice.
Collins’ role as an apprentice centers around helping to maintain and operate the critical water systems that serve the D.C. community. Her duties include monitoring the system’s performance to ensure water quality standards are met, responding to operational issues, and keeping the system running safely and efficiently. She notes that it’s not much different from the day-to-day life of a regular operator, saying, “We don’t stand out, because they make us feel like we’re one of [them].”
Ultimately, this pushes her to do her best work. “[The apprenticeship] has helped me be a leader, because you’re setting an example. You have to be dependable and show that you can support others and be professional at all times.” She goes on to say these are not only traits that have helped her as an operator, but also as a woman and a mom.
As one of only a few female operators at DC Water, she is motivated to grow and represent women in the water and wastewater field. Collins is honest about the unique challenges women face in the workforce. However, she says, rather than letting that deter her, she’s embraced every day as an opportunity to keep pushing forward and prove her capabilities. The rewarding part of her job is “being in the building.” She goes on to say, “Every day I feel rewarded just by being there.”
Collins’ nine-year-old daughter is another major factor in her motivation. She warmly brings up how, when they drive through the city, her daughter is constantly pointing out where she works. “When she sees the uniform, she sees the importance of my hard work and consistency. I’m going after my goals, and it pays off when I interact with her, talking to her about what I do.”
Her advocacy and joy in her work extend throughout all aspects of her life, from her personal conversations to her professional goals.
When asked specifically about pursuing her Professional Operator (PO) designation, Collins said, “I take my pride in my work. I dug deep to grow within the field and deepen my knowledge. Being one of the few women in this role, it pushed me to set a strong example and continue to advance.”
It is this drive and passion that sets Collins apart. It is why her supervisors call her “a trailblazer.” For Collins, advancement in this career and succeeding beyond her apprenticeship program is more than a personal accomplishment. “I love opening doors behind me for both men and women. [D.C. Water] is making a beautiful impact on the community. This apprenticeship program is working; it helps the community, the company, and the water system overall. And I feel like the experience I’m getting is proof of the program’s success.”
As I listen to Collins, I keep coming back to the phrase: “opening doors behind me.” It is this and her remarkable gratitude that stick with me throughout the call. Collins is a leader not only because of her incredible work ethic and motivation to give back to her community, but also because she sees her path as paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps. She is setting the example of what apprenticeship programs can do in this industry, and how they can compensate for the knowledge gaps left in the wake of mass retirement.
As for what she’d say to potential operators considering an apprenticeship program? “Go for it. You have nothing to lose. Any apprenticeship program is a blessing in disguise, as you’re learning, you get hands-on training, you’re on the job, and you’re getting paid.” With a voice strong with conviction, she repeats, “You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.”
More About the Program: The PO program was established by Water Professionals International (WPI) and implemented by the Certification Commission for Environmental Professionals (C2EP). PO certification is available in four core disciplines: water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment. Each area offers four ascending classes (I–IV), with Class IV representing the highest level of leadership and complexity.
WPI hopes to share more inspiring stories like Dominique’s. If you are an operator or know an operator interested in applying to be a PO, learn more about the requirements and apply at professionaloperator.org.
