Professional Operator

Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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**The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
**Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n**
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n**
**Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n**
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\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n**
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
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Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n**
**Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
**What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
**What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n**
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

*Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next*

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$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
\n
$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
\n
$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
\n
$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
\n
$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
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Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
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Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
\n
$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
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Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
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Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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The results speak for themselves: of 40 participants, 29 earned their certification\u2014a 71% success rate comparable to established programs in North America. Yet, as Firlotte and Bishop emphasized, the real impact goes beyond the numbers. It lies in empowering operators with the skills, confidence, and global recognition they need to create lasting change in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
\n
$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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Paul Bishop also witnessed the transformation firsthand. \u201cMike\u2019s program shows that people from diverse backgrounds can complete this program successfully,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cIt highlights the need for education and allows for mobility for operators around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results speak for themselves: of 40 participants, 29 earned their certification\u2014a 71% success rate comparable to established programs in North America. Yet, as Firlotte and Bishop emphasized, the real impact goes beyond the numbers. It lies in empowering operators with the skills, confidence, and global recognition they need to create lasting change in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
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Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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Paul Bishop also witnessed the transformation firsthand. \u201cMike\u2019s program shows that people from diverse backgrounds can complete this program successfully,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cIt highlights the need for education and allows for mobility for operators around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results speak for themselves: of 40 participants, 29 earned their certification\u2014a 71% success rate comparable to established programs in North America. Yet, as Firlotte and Bishop emphasized, the real impact goes beyond the numbers. It lies in empowering operators with the skills, confidence, and global recognition they need to create lasting change in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
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$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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The training culminated in an emotional pinning ceremony\u2014an important milestone for both instructors and students. \u201cThe pinning made me super proud,\u201d Firlotte recalled. \u201cI pushed myself in how I presented to the class. I saw how hard so many people worked\u2014and how many succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Paul Bishop also witnessed the transformation firsthand. \u201cMike\u2019s program shows that people from diverse backgrounds can complete this program successfully,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cIt highlights the need for education and allows for mobility for operators around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results speak for themselves: of 40 participants, 29 earned their certification\u2014a 71% success rate comparable to established programs in North America. Yet, as Firlotte and Bishop emphasized, the real impact goes beyond the numbers. It lies in empowering operators with the skills, confidence, and global recognition they need to create lasting change in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
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Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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He did far more than that. In a country where many participants had never experienced standardized testing, Firlotte adapted his teaching style to meet a wide range of learning needs. \u201cI can teach a class fifty different ways,\u201d he explained. \u201cI connect with everyone in that room in some way, shape, or form\u2026 Half of what we did was making sure everyone felt seen. Everyone had a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The training culminated in an emotional pinning ceremony\u2014an important milestone for both instructors and students. \u201cThe pinning made me super proud,\u201d Firlotte recalled. \u201cI pushed myself in how I presented to the class. I saw how hard so many people worked\u2014and how many succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Paul Bishop also witnessed the transformation firsthand. \u201cMike\u2019s program shows that people from diverse backgrounds can complete this program successfully,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cIt highlights the need for education and allows for mobility for operators around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results speak for themselves: of 40 participants, 29 earned their certification\u2014a 71% success rate comparable to established programs in North America. Yet, as Firlotte and Bishop emphasized, the real impact goes beyond the numbers. It lies in empowering operators with the skills, confidence, and global recognition they need to create lasting change in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
\n
$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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As 2025 Board Chair and an accomplished instructor, Firlotte saw the opportunity as far more than a professional assignment; it was a personal challenge. \u201cWhenever I instruct any group, I\u2019m imparting knowledge,\u201d he shared. \u201cI pride myself on teaching different and unorthodox customer bases. To me, it was a challenge\u2014can I do this? Can I impart my knowledge?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He did far more than that. In a country where many participants had never experienced standardized testing, Firlotte adapted his teaching style to meet a wide range of learning needs. \u201cI can teach a class fifty different ways,\u201d he explained. \u201cI connect with everyone in that room in some way, shape, or form\u2026 Half of what we did was making sure everyone felt seen. Everyone had a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The training culminated in an emotional pinning ceremony\u2014an important milestone for both instructors and students. \u201cThe pinning made me super proud,\u201d Firlotte recalled. \u201cI pushed myself in how I presented to the class. I saw how hard so many people worked\u2014and how many succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Paul Bishop also witnessed the transformation firsthand. \u201cMike\u2019s program shows that people from diverse backgrounds can complete this program successfully,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cIt highlights the need for education and allows for mobility for operators around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results speak for themselves: of 40 participants, 29 earned their certification\u2014a 71% success rate comparable to established programs in North America. Yet, as Firlotte and Bishop emphasized, the real impact goes beyond the numbers. It lies in empowering operators with the skills, confidence, and global recognition they need to create lasting change in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
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Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
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Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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In a defining moment for international water and wastewater operator training, Water Professionals International (WPI) 2025 Board Chair Mike Firlotte, PO, and WPI President and CEO Paul D. Bishop, CAE, joined forces with Kalpna Solanki, President and CEO of Game Changers Inc., to launch Kenya\u2019s first Professional Operator (PO) certification cohort in November of 2024. Together, they demonstrated that global standards can be successfully localized\u2014and that the passion for clean water transcends borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As 2025 Board Chair and an accomplished instructor, Firlotte saw the opportunity as far more than a professional assignment; it was a personal challenge. \u201cWhenever I instruct any group, I\u2019m imparting knowledge,\u201d he shared. \u201cI pride myself on teaching different and unorthodox customer bases. To me, it was a challenge\u2014can I do this? Can I impart my knowledge?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He did far more than that. In a country where many participants had never experienced standardized testing, Firlotte adapted his teaching style to meet a wide range of learning needs. \u201cI can teach a class fifty different ways,\u201d he explained. \u201cI connect with everyone in that room in some way, shape, or form\u2026 Half of what we did was making sure everyone felt seen. Everyone had a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The training culminated in an emotional pinning ceremony\u2014an important milestone for both instructors and students. \u201cThe pinning made me super proud,\u201d Firlotte recalled. \u201cI pushed myself in how I presented to the class. I saw how hard so many people worked\u2014and how many succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Paul Bishop also witnessed the transformation firsthand. \u201cMike\u2019s program shows that people from diverse backgrounds can complete this program successfully,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cIt highlights the need for education and allows for mobility for operators around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results speak for themselves: of 40 participants, 29 earned their certification\u2014a 71% success rate comparable to established programs in North America. Yet, as Firlotte and Bishop emphasized, the real impact goes beyond the numbers. It lies in empowering operators with the skills, confidence, and global recognition they need to create lasting change in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
\n
$\"celebrating$
Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$
Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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In a defining moment for international water and wastewater operator training, Water Professionals International (WPI) 2025 Board Chair Mike Firlotte, PO, and WPI President and CEO Paul D. Bishop, CAE, joined forces with Kalpna Solanki, President and CEO of Game Changers Inc., to launch Kenya\u2019s first Professional Operator (PO) certification cohort in November of 2024. Together, they demonstrated that global standards can be successfully localized\u2014and that the passion for clean water transcends borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As 2025 Board Chair and an accomplished instructor, Firlotte saw the opportunity as far more than a professional assignment; it was a personal challenge. \u201cWhenever I instruct any group, I\u2019m imparting knowledge,\u201d he shared. \u201cI pride myself on teaching different and unorthodox customer bases. To me, it was a challenge\u2014can I do this? Can I impart my knowledge?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He did far more than that. In a country where many participants had never experienced standardized testing, Firlotte adapted his teaching style to meet a wide range of learning needs. \u201cI can teach a class fifty different ways,\u201d he explained. \u201cI connect with everyone in that room in some way, shape, or form\u2026 Half of what we did was making sure everyone felt seen. Everyone had a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The training culminated in an emotional pinning ceremony\u2014an important milestone for both instructors and students. \u201cThe pinning made me super proud,\u201d Firlotte recalled. \u201cI pushed myself in how I presented to the class. I saw how hard so many people worked\u2014and how many succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Paul Bishop also witnessed the transformation firsthand. \u201cMike\u2019s program shows that people from diverse backgrounds can complete this program successfully,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cIt highlights the need for education and allows for mobility for operators around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results speak for themselves: of 40 participants, 29 earned their certification\u2014a 71% success rate comparable to established programs in North America. Yet, as Firlotte and Bishop emphasized, the real impact goes beyond the numbers. It lies in empowering operators with the skills, confidence, and global recognition they need to create lasting change in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte described his approach as that of a \u201ctranslator,\u201d noting, \u201cWe take complex topics and make them understandable and relatable. Even those who didn\u2019t pass the exam still left with valuable knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Kenyan organizations are already building on this momentum. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated training center, ensuring local ownership of professional development and reducing reliance on external support. \u201cThere was a real need and an appetite for what we do,\u201d Bishop observed. \u201cIt showed the institutions how much they should adapt to support POs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Firlotte and Bishop are committed to expanding access even further. A key priority is increasing opportunities for women in the water sector. \u201cLooking forward, we want to ensure more education for women,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cThen, they can return to their communities and teach others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of their mission is a clear, shared vision: to build not only a stronger water workforce but also a global network of servant leaders committed to protecting clean water. \u201cEnsuring that people around the world are taking care of this scarce resource\u2014water\u2014is core to the PO program,\u201d Bishop emphasized. \u201cWherever we can take that message, we will try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the PO program continues its international expansion, Firlotte and Bishop are not just building sector capacity\u2014they are building hope, resilience, and opportunity. \u201cNothing can happen if we don\u2019t have clean water,\u201d Bishop reminded. \u201cIt\u2019s all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firlotte agrees, underscoring the need to invest in global water communities: \u201cThe way to strengthen the chain is to make sure we are all trained and have the same understanding. We are only as strong as the person beside us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$ <\/figure>\n","post_title":"Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"bridging-continents-through-clean-water-mike-firlotte-and-paul-bishop-lead-operator-training-and-pinning-in-kenya","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-07 11:48:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-07 16:48:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1054","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-27 08:53:09","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-27 13:53:09","post_content":"\n
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Michelle Christoper, PO (left) posing with Kathy Weinsaft (right)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Alexis Spray, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As Women\u2019s History Month comes to a close, we are honored to have previously featured two leaders in the industry, Margaret Doss, PO<\/a>, and Haley Vanness, ICE-CCP<\/a>. For our final feature, WPI is thrilled to spotlight not just one, but four trailblazers from Wyoming. These four women have been instrumental in bringing the Professional Operator (PO) Program to Wyoming and spreading the word to encourage more operators to participate. While Women\u2019s History Month officially ends at the beginning of April, WPI recognizes that the historical contributions of women continue beyond March. These individuals embody that sentiment, remaining inspirations for all operators, regardless of gender, throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kathy Weinsaft & Kim Parker: Charting Their Journeys in the Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the women instrumental in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming are Kathy Weinsaft, a Training Specialist at Wyoming Rural Water, and Kim Parker, the Certification Officer at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Kathy Weinsaft has been with Wyoming Rural Water since 2006. Encouraged by a friend to apply for the Training Specialist position, she can safely say it was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI began my career in state government doing solid waste planning for the state of Missouri. Yes, I am a recovering regulator. I moved on both literally and figuratively to work in Indian Country as a technical assistance provider for a decade. A friend encouraged me to apply for the Training Specialist Position for Rural Water, so I did. I believed that this would allow me to help train and develop the operators of the future and leave the profession better than I found it. I was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lightbulb moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was working on a solid waste biosolid composting project when I realized I could go no further without having water requirements changed. It was at that moment that I realized it was all connected, water, wastewater, and solid waste. Beyond that, there was only one water, and it needed to be thought of and treated holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Kim Parker, who has been with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for over 25 years, chuckles that this career chose her rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAfter obtaining my Masters in Riparian Ecology, I felt lucky to get a temporary job helping the State of Colorado with their Source Water Protection Program. At least it had water in the name! Soon afterwards, the State of Wyoming hired me to develop their Source Water Protection Program. My first \u201creal\u201d job had what I thought was a downside at the time \u2013 I had to help the person who did the Operator Certification Program. When she retired five years later, I moved into the Operator Certification Program full time. That was almost 21 years ago and I have never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When asked to highlight what she is proud of in her career\u2019s journey so far, Parker notes the work she has done to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program brings her gratification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI inherited an outdated database and a challenge to bring over a third of our facilities back into compliance. Under my leadership, we tackled this in three simultaneous pushes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Those pushes included improving Wyoming\u2019s exams and increasing their availability through WPI (formerly ABC)\u2019s computer-based exams in 2005. In 2008, they expanded to the then on-demand, PSI-proctored WPI exams. After the endeavor to improve exams, Parker spearheaded enforcement efforts to get operators certified at the correct levels. Finally, Parker\u2019s team designed and launched a new database that tracked operator certification and facility compliance. By 2010, a year after the launch, the compliance rate had skyrocketed to 98-99%, a rate now maintained for fifteen years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c[While] our efforts to improve the Wyoming Operator Certification Program [have been] successful and satisfying, I am even more proud of the impact that I feel I have had on the profession of water and wastewater operators over the last twenty years. I take every opportunity to educate my management, decision makers, our operators, and members of the public about what operators do and why they are so important... I find ways to collaborate with people of like mind to do together what I cannot do alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can move a mountain by moving one stone at a time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last two decades, the professionalism of our operators has steadily increased, moving the perception of our operators from that of common laborers to professionals essential to Wyoming!\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The Path to Becoming Professional Operators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle Christopher, PO, and Alexis Spray, PO, have each embarked on their own unique journeys in the water and wastewater industry. As dedicated operators, they recently earned their Professional Operator certification, showcasing their commitment and passion for the field. Although Christopher admits that this industry was not her first choice, she found kinship quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m a terrible waitress, and this was the other employment option in my tiny community. I stayed because of the people,\u201d she says, referring to her fellow operators. \u201cI\u2019ve been blessed to be supported by the industry in growing my knowledge and career. I\u2019ve been able to apply aspects of what I learned when I was getting a degree in Range Ecology and Watershed Management to my current position as WARWS Source Water Protection Specialist so that\u2019s super cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I continue to be inspired by water and wastewater operators who do their best to keep their communities healthy and protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My favorite thing is when I\u2019m working with an operator, and I can see the \u201clight come on\u201d in their eyes as they understand how to solve the problem we\u2019ve been working together on. Best moment ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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For Spray, being an operator is in her DNA. While her career began elsewhere, like Christopher, she discovered a sense of belonging within the operator community. She now aspires to continue her journey as an operator for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI started my journey in the water\/wastewater field back in 2016. I was a groundskeeper at Little American Hotel here in Wyoming, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting my license to help their water plant. My dad was an operator when I was young, so I jumped at the opportunity. After Little America, I worked in the town of Granger [at their] water plant [before I] was finally able to work for my hometown of Lyman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I learned so much during my time there, but life ended up taking me to Green River. I became the lead operator for a little improvement district in Rock Springs, and in 2023 I was able to get on with the city of Green River, where I plan to stay for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had my Level 1 Water\/Distribution, Level 1 Collections, and lagoons license when I started here with Green River. I struggled to pass the Level 1 Wastewater exam in the past, but thanks to my amazing coworkers, I now have my Level 1 Water, Level 2 Distribution, Level 2 Collections, and my Level 3 Wastewater licenses. I am currently working on getting my Level 4 Wastewater [certification], because I [was given] the opportunity to be one of the operators at our new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[Additionally], I was made the chairman of the new Wyoming Water Committee formed under the Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA. We started this adventure last fall, and I have loved being the voice for the operators of the state and provid[ing] trainings for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Defining Strong Female Leadership as the Wyoming PO's Powerhouse Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the pioneering team to bring the PO Program to Wyoming, all four women remain extraordinarily humble when asked what it means to them to be leaders in this industry. Ultimately, it is clear they share the same sentiment: through hard work and dedication, they can help show the value of Wyoming operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond their combined multitude of achievements, it is easy to sense the deep respect they have for each other and the operators they work with. Parker remarks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cKathy, Michelle, and Alexis are very talented and determined women with can-do attitudes. We all share the conviction that no obstacle is too large if we work together. Launching a program that we know will benefit Wyoming operators is easy and fun with this team!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
$\"celebrating$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
When asked specifically what it means to them to be an all-female team leading the charge in professional water and wastewater certification for Wyoming, Kathy Weinsaft and Michelle Christopher, PO, are firm that while it\u2019s an accomplishment, the need for Professional Operators extends beyond the gender binary. Christopher notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a matter of being a female PO. In Wyoming there just aren\u2019t enough operators to make that distinction. I\u2019m excited to show everyone that if some operator from a tiny Podunk town on the southern border can do it, anyone can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Weinsaft agrees, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI give the same advice to men and women alike: become an expert. Don\u2019t just do enough to get by. Fully engage with this profession and it will give you rewards\u2026 The fulfillment this profession can give you is worth more than money. I am wrapping up my 39th year doing water, wastewater, and solid waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can think of no better profession to have spent my life\u2019s work carrying out.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Kim Parker admits, though, that it is exciting to see strong female leadership in the industry, and she hopes their team can inspire other female operators throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOnly about 11% of Wyoming operators are women. And yet, some of our most professional, competent, and savvy operators are women. I think succeeding in this profession lights a spark in these women to strive for and achieve excellence. Many of them take strong leadership roles, mentor new operators, and train their peers. I hope that the strong examples that Michelle and Alexis have set by becoming Wyoming\u2019s first POs will inspire many more women to become involved in this industry! We need them!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Alexis Spray, PO, adds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cOperating used to be a man\u2019s world, but I love seeing how many women are excelling in this field. I encourage everyone, man or woman, to push yourselves to be the best you can be. Get your PO certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the world see what it is we operators do and encourage this younger generation to follow in your footsteps, just like my dad did with me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The achievements of these four remarkable women are nothing short of extraordinary. Their pioneering efforts are set to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Wyoming operators. WPI is immensely proud to have such dedicated leaders like Kim, Kathy, Michelle, and Alexis championing the vital contributions of water and wastewater operators. Their passion and commitment continue to elevate the profession and ensure its bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye out for this team's next feature discussing their behind-the-scenes efforts in bringing the PO Program to Wyoming.<\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-the-wyoming-po-pioneers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-27 15:20:14","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-27 20:20:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1046","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":1035,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2025-03-08 10:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:00:00","post_content":"\n
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Margaret Doss, PO<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Today marks International Women\u2019s Day!<\/strong> Historically, this day is used to highlight the incredible achievements of women throughout history. WPI is proud to honor that tradition by celebrating the hard-working women in the water and wastewater field. From operators to supervisors to administrators, there is no shortage of female talent in this industry, which is why we\u2019ve chosen to showcase a few of these trailblazers on IMMERSE. This International Women\u2019s Day\u2019s theme is to Accelerate Action<\/a>, and who better to spotlight than someone who has embodied positive progress and action throughout the entirety of her career: Margaret Doss, PO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret has been an active member of Water Professionals International since 1992. She is a Past-President and has received WPI\u2019s highest honor: the Harris Seidel Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010. Additionally, she has been honored with the Jess Jones Excellence in Service Award in 2015, 2018, and 2020, and most recently, she received the Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development in January 2025. Margaret holds certifications as a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator through C2EP, as well as Wastewater Treatment Operator, Water Laboratory Analyst, and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certifications in Georgia. She is a member of AWWA and WEF, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Clemson University and a Master\u2019s degree in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to her strong leadership for WPI, Margaret has worked for Columbia County Water Utility for over 30 years. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst and is currently the Compliance Manager. Appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Certification Board in 2001, she currently serves as the Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had the opportunity to interview Margaret about her career path in the water\/wastewater industry. Here is what she had to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share more about your journey in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1988, I began my journey in the water industry as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst in the city of Newton, NC. I had recently graduated from Clemson University with a degree in microbiology, and I wanted to find a job that was related. There was an opening at the wastewater treatment plant for a Laboratory Analyst, and I thought it sounded interesting, so I applied and was hired. While there, I learned the analyst tasks, but I also learned how to operate an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. I was (and still am) fascinated by the whole treatment process; it is predicated upon microbiological principles. I obtained certification as a Class II Wastewater Treatment Plant operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few years later, my husband and I decided we wanted to move closer to our extended family. In 1991, I received an offer from the Columbia County Water Utility in Evans, GA, to be their wastewater laboratory analyst. I began working in the lab at the Little River Water Pollution Control Facility where I was also the backup wastewater treatment plant operator. At that time, the County had four wastewater treatment facilities, and all the regulatory samples were brought to the Little River lab for analysis. Within 18 months, I obtained certifications as a Wastewater Laboratory Analyst and a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (the highest level) in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1993, I was promoted to Head Treatment Plant Operator while still retaining the laboratory analyst duties. In 1999, the County built a Central Laboratory to conduct drinking water and wastewater regulatory analysis, and I was promoted to be the inaugural Laboratory Manager. I obtained certification as a Water Laboratory Analyst shortly thereafter. By that time, I was doing a fair amount of teaching in our industry, both at the Water Utility and as a contract instructor at the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Water Utility Director created the position of Environmental Trainer, and I transferred to that position in 2002. While working full-time and raising a family (my kids were teenagers), I enrolled in the University of Georgia\u2019s Adult Education Master\u2019s Degree program. I completed my M. Ed. in 2005. In 2008, I was promoted to Compliance Manager at the Water Utility, which is the job I currently hold. I am responsible for the Central Laboratory, the Business Office, and the Training Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you share a moment or experience that significantly impacted your professional growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being asked to teach has tremendously impacted my professional growth. Early in my career, the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute needed a lab instructor to fill in and teach a week-long class, and they asked me to do so. I LOVED teaching! I learned a tremendous amount in preparing to teach the class, and my instruction was well received by the students. I taught some additional classes, which led to several subsequent milestones in my professional growth: teaching official certification classes on a local basis, being the Environmental Trainer for the Water Utility for a time, going back to school to complete my Master\u2019s degree, and developing some online training courses. I still teach various classes from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how have you overcome them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
One challenge, which is part of my job, is to explain highly technical scientific concepts to a variety of audiences in non-technical terms. Another challenge is keeping current on upcoming regulations that impact the Water Utility. It seems that there are times when regulations at the state and federal levels are coming fast and furious. It is sometimes a challenge to read and decipher what will impact us, if we should offer public comment, and what we need to do to prepare. I would also say that the speed of technological advances can be challenging. Treatment technologies are rapidly changing, along with the regulations. Currently, getting a handle on AI \u2013 its benefits and detriments in our field \u2013 is a formidable task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read a lot. I also attend industry conferences. I particularly like to learn about new technologies from vendors and from people at other utilities who are using the technology we are considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and engaged in their work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere in Columbia County is one of teamwork and family, which I love! We call ourselves the Water Utility family. I get to know my employees. I care about them, and they know I care. I try to touch base with my employees on a regular basis. We routinely have meals together. In the Business Office, we have monthly birthday brunches to celebrate those who are having birthdays \u2013 we can\u2019t shut down the office for the whole group to go out. In the lab, we typically go to lunch as a group to celebrate birthdays and other achievements, like winning the Lab of the Year competition for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. I work hard to explain my expectations to my folks. I provide the training and the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, then I get out of their way and let them work. The managers that report to me are great at what they do; I don\u2019t need to get in their way. My goal is to be a good servant-leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you describe an initiative you spearheaded or contributed to that you are particularly proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I developed and taught a leadership and management class for Water Utility. It was designed for supervisors and managers who had worked their way into a supervisory or management role. Most employees in this circumstance have received no formal training in supervision, management, or leadership. I have taught multiple cohorts, and I think it has assisted several of my fellow employees with their professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"auto$
Margaret Doss, PO receives Dr. Ken Kerri Award for Workforce Development by Paul Bishop, CAE - President and CEO of WPI. 2025.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What motivated you to get involved in several leadership roles over the years at WPI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I took my certification exams, I disagreed with a couple of items on the exam, so I contacted Ernie Earn, who served on the Georgia Operator Certification Board at the time. He set me up to be an item bank reviewer (a Subject Matter Expert that reviews items being considered for use on examinations). I fell in love with the whole psychometric process. From there I was invited to join the Laboratory Exam Committee. I felt like being involved in WPI was a way I could give back to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2001, I was appointed by the Governor to the Georgia Water\/Wastewater Operator Certification Board, which is a member of WPI. After attending my first WPI conference, I was asked to consider running for a leadership role in WPI. I was honored to be elected as the Wastewater Treatment Division Director for WPI in 2003. I was subsequently elected to serve as an officer from 2004 \u2013 2007. I still believe my involvement with WPI is a way to give back to the water and wastewater industry; to have a lasting positive impact on future generations of operators and laboratory analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What advice would you give to women aspiring to take on a leadership role in the water industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work in an organization where the leadership respects its employees and encourages them to be successful, don\u2019t wait to be promoted to learn what you need to know to move up in your organization, and be a leader, even if you haven\u2019t been promoted to an official leadership position. Being a leader means doing what needs to be done because it needs to be done, not for the accolades. I would also say don\u2019t be afraid to let others know you are smart, but be humble, not arrogant. Strive to keep learning. I would encourage women to be involved in organizations or associations outside of work related to our industry \u2013 WPI, AWWA, WEF, your local operator association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lifelong friends I have made is definitely the most rewarding aspect. I can\u2019t begin to name all of the wonderful people I have met in the United States and other countries throughout my career that I truly consider friends. A close second would be the knowledge that I have served my community by protecting public health and the environment. Think about it \u2013 I\u2019ve been able to be part of making sure people have clean water to drink \u2013 water that does not make them sick. I also play a role in cleaning the dirty water before returning it to the environment, preserving water resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Celebrating Women's History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"celebrating-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-margaret-doss-po","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-08 10:04:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-08 16:04:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=1035","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":925,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-08-03 14:39:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:39:34","post_content":"WPI wrapped up their eventful summer as the POwer Tour came to an end in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team was joined by WPI Board Past Chairs, Alison McGee, PO, and Alan Cranford, PO, to recognize four Professional Operators. The simple ceremony impressed WPI VP, Tom Healy, with the amount of pride that local leadership showed for their operators\r\n\r\nThe Murfreesboro Water Resources Board was in full attendance to honor the POs and recognize the dedication of their service. In conversation with WPI leaders, they shared how enjoyable their board is, and it is because their operators are so proficient that the board rarely has issues to discuss about water. It is a remarkable occurrence to have full leadership present at a pinning ceremony and it is a testament to the value and gratitude they have for the operators of Murfreesboro.\r\n
\u201cSeeing leadership engage directly with the operators is an important thing. That\u2019s what helps drive these professionals\u2014recognition from leadership. It\u2019s more impactful when it\u2019s done at a local level like this.\u201d Tom Healy <\/em><\/blockquote>\r\nIt was touching to see the excitement around Alan and Alison as they presented the certificates and performed the pinning of the operators. The duo exude support for the water community that has had an impact on so many successful operators. Alan has been a mentor for countless operators, including Alison, who drove over 2 hours for a reunion at the place her career flourished. It will be no surprise if WPI continues to visit Tennessee in the future for pinning ceremonies as the work culture there and the values of the PO program heavily overlap.\r\n\r\nPaul Bishop, President and CEO of WPI, gave his comments on the 2023 POwer Tour. He explained how it was interesting to see how every stop had a different culture and different approach to the pinning. One thing that was present throughout the tour was how the honored POs were embraced by their colleagues and the sense of pride each had in their profession.\r\n\r\nPaul reflects, \u201cThis tour is a testament to operators who are wanting to do more and to be recognized for the work they put in. It gives us a platform to show off a diverse community. Every pinning had a different atmosphere, but they all celebrated some of the most dedicated men and women in our field. With that, I\u2019d like to say thank you to all our Professional Operators, our team looks forward to meeting more of you to honor in your communities!\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to see so much interest in our POwer Tour and look forward to continuing to support POs around the world. You can see where we\u2019ve been so far, HERE<\/a>. If you would like to host a POwer event, please send us an inquiry online or send an email to us at: info@professionaloperator.org<\/a>. <\/em>","post_title":"POwer in Tennessee","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-tennessee","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-08-03 14:40:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-08-03 19:40:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=925","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":908,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-07-07 12:00:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-07-07 17:00:49","post_content":"There is a common thread that runs through Canada and Barbados - the dedication and excellence of their Professional Operators. These individuals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of their local water and wastewater facilities. The tireless work of POs often goes unnoticed, but in June, members of the WPI team traveled to Toronto, Canada and St. Michael, Barbados to recognize them. We at WPI believe it is important to celebrate and support these hardworking individuals while honoring their contributions.\r\n\r\n $\"international$ Morley Foy (left) and his son, Adam Foy (right) at the pinning ceremony.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOn June 12, 2023, WPI had the opportunity to pin three operators during the AWWA ACE 2023 conference. The POs were honored in front of their colleagues, families, and friends. Although this is an annual event, this year offered a special experience. Morley Foy, PE, the current Water Division Director <\/em>on the WPI Board of Directors had the privilege of pinning his son, Adam Foy. Our team looks forward to celebrating more Canadian POs in 2024!\r\n\r\nBecoming a PO is a way to show one\u2019s commitment to public health and willingness to uphold the highest industry standards. It is more than merely taking an exam and earning a certification. Demonstrating an extra level of dedication to the profession should be acknowledged. With that in mind, the POwer tour continued\u2026\r\n\r\nThe next stop was CAWASA\u2019s Caribbean Water Operators (CWO) Conference where seven more POs were pinned. Our team was in awe of the overwhelming passion for the job these POs exhibited during the pinning celebration. The community roared with cheers for every PO that crossed the stage to be recognized.\r\n
\u201cIt was truly an inspired event. They reminded us of why we do what we do. They showed so much excitement and pride in their work, their community, and really demonstrated what a close-knit group can accomplish through hard work and determination!\u201d\u00a0 Paul Bishop, WPI President & CEO<\/em><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe buzz of excitement for the PO certification continued through the conference as WPI\u2019s Haley Vanness held a session about the success and benefits of the certification program. The combination of that session and the praise their newly pinned colleagues received encouraged eight more operators to take the first step in applying to be a PO.\r\n\r\nIt has been a successful POwer Tour so far and we are excited to continue our journey in Tennessee later this month. Thank you to all the Professional Operators who have committed themselves to protecting public health! We salute you!","post_title":"International POwer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"international-power","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-07-10 07:49:26","post_modified_gmt":"2023-07-10 12:49:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=908","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":861,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-05-25 13:00:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-25 18:00:44","post_content":"Water Professionals International recognizes that water and wastewater operators are at the frontlines of protecting public safety. That is why this year WPI is touring across three countries to celebrate Professional Operators in their dedication to public service and expertise to the industry. The POwer Tour kicked off during Drinking Water Week; the WPI team of Paul Bishop, Tom Healy, and Haley Vanness traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the POs operating out of DC Water. This organization has shown industry-leading dedication to the PO program and had 24 operators honored as POs, many that hold more than one certification.\r\n\r\nDC Water has partnered with the PO program to integrate professional development in their facilities. The organization\u2019s management has encouraged their operators to continue to better themselves in their field and supported the many efforts of continued growth as professionals. In correlation, the majority of operators hold more than one PO certification and have achieved higher levels. The supportive environment has curated more camaraderie among the staff. The WPI team shared that the entire event felt like friends got together to celebrate their accomplishments and that everyone was warm and welcoming.\r\n\r\nPositivity is a common trend for DC Water. In fact, they go above industry standards to enable positive change in their community through an apprenticeship program. This five-year program allows a second chance for many individuals. It is a way to give those who may not have the same opportunities in life, or who have had to overcome troubled pasts, a chance to take control of their life again. They learn responsibility and necessary trade skills, and in the process, they celebrate milestones that get them closer to completing the program.\r\n\r\nWPI was honored to start the POwer Tour in Washington D.C. based on the dedication to supporting the community and fostering improvement focused not just on the \u201cemployee\u201d, but on the individual person. It is also why WPI hopes to commit to events like this in the coming years, as DC Water continues to encourage POs. The event was a perfect start to the summer tour celebrating POs!\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GqsFokBr6eo&t=4s\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n ","post_title":"POwer in DC","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"power-in-dc","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 09:13:48","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 14:13:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=861","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":855,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2023-05-05 13:00:50","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-05 18:00:50","post_content":"Good operators start with good trainers\u2026 trainers like Shantelle Clarke, PO. To say she is adaptable is an understatement. Her work has taken her through facilities across British Columbia, the Yukon, and Saskatchewan, before moving to Hawaii, and now Washington. Throughout it all, she has proven her ability to adjust and thrive through the evolution of her career.\r\n\r\nFor years, she has been dedicated to training operators in their field, but how did it begin? Some would say fate. Like many others, Shantelle graduated high school still unsure of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. To avoid being overwhelmed at the seemingly endless options in a local college's program calendar, she sat down with her mother and let chance decide. She closed her eyes and pointed her finger down on the page. With that, it was decided; she would begin with Water Quality Technology and see if it was a good fit. Needless to say, it was, and now over 20 years later, she has paved her way as an industry role model, even though not everyone has been supportive.\r\n\r\nAlthough Shantelle has made space for herself in her profession, it has not always been an easy road. Like many working women, she has encountered discrimination based on her gender. She recalled a story of a man who walked out on the first day of a week-long training session because he felt there was nothing a young woman could teach him. She shared, \u201cAt first I took it personally, but then I realized that I have a lot to offer and my experiences\u2013no matter how big or small\u2013are worth sharing.\u201d She also shared her experience with a director who would limit women and put them into a corner until they were defeated enough to quit or he could manufacture reasons for termination. This caused a strain on Shantelle, but she never allowed it to dim her light and used it as fuel for her fire. Transforming the negativity into motivation for her career has helped her transcend expectations.\r\n\r\n $\"women$ Shantelle Clarke (middle) presenting at the IiC23 conference along side Jeff Oxenford (left) and Steve Hernandez (right) .[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHer positivity and perseverance have led her to be a sought-after trainer. So much so that she captivated a crowd of industry leaders at the Innovation in Certification 2023 (IiC23) conference during the Train the Trainer workshop. With over 20 years\u2019 experience in the water\/wastewater industry and over 10 years teaching and mentoring, she had the opportunity to share her expertise with peers who would respect her knowledge.\r\n\r\nIt is unfortunate to hear stories of women trying to be accepted in a \u201cman\u2019s job\u201d and the adversity they face, but when women like Shantelle show resilience and refuse to be overlooked, the industry as a whole gets better. Shantelle acknowledged that there is additional pressure to be an overachiever just to be seen as an equal and that the bar is higher based on her gender, but that hasn\u2019t stopped her from success. \u201cI feel the best way for me to overcome pressure is for me to just be myself. Behaving or being something that I am not only endorses the fact that women are a minority, and we shouldn\u2019t have to change to fit in.\u201d She continues to say that if she ever feels like she doesn\u2019t fit in, she reminds herself she is there for a reason and that she is knowledgeable and has so much to offer.\r\n\r\nConfidence, intelligence, and perseverance are all traits Shantelle demonstrates for her trainees on an everyday basis. Her strong will and mentality are added benefits to her well-researched and informative trainings that were developed with decades of valuable experience. The future of water and wastewater is bright when there are women like Shantelle leading the way for operators.","post_title":"Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"women-in-water-the-shantelle-clarke-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-05 14:10:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-05 19:10:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=855","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":845,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2023-04-21 13:00:57","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:00:57","post_content":"The modern-day water operator is a multifaceted professional with an incredibly important job. Not only do they ensure safe drinking water, clean waste streams and proper system flow, but they also provide critical maintenance and repair services to keep the public environment healthy. With so much on their plate, it is difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they truly deserve\u2014which is why we created the Professional Operator (PO) program! It is an exciting way to recognize operators who want to go above and beyond in their profession and expertise and be recognized through an industry leading certification program. Through this program, we applaud those who demonstrate extraordinary efforts while upholding a code of conduct and dedication to their profession and communities.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a society, we all rely on water operators\u2014it is the dedication and expertise of these skilled professionals that helps us to live healthier lives and make our cities function better\u2014now more than ever. The PO program provides essential recognition for those operators who have chosen to be certified as expert water and wastewater treatment operators through our rigorous standards-based testing and peer developed program.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe PO program was built by operators, for operators to meet and\/or exceed all state and provincial certification program standards. It was developed to bring standardization to our water and wastewater operator certification community based upon the best practices of WPI members around the world. It requires education and experience similar to governmental jurisdictions and utilizes WPI's services through the ABC Testing standardized exams for assessing operator competence. To date over 300 people have gone through the program, and more are applying every day.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNot only is the PO program great for recognizing operator proficiency, but it is also able to help existing programs or remote jurisdictions in certifying operators where no current governance or certification is available. It is also being explored by W<\/span>PI\u2019s mem<\/span>bers as a means of outsourcing their current certification administration so government agencies can focus on their core responsibilities of regulatory enforcement.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWater operators are essential to the safety and well-being of our communities. They are first responders in so many ways, from developing our communities to advancing medical technology, that we owe them a debt of gratitude for the essential role they play. With the PO program, their dedication is recognized and celebrated through a national standard that meets each state and provincial standard. Let us take a moment to recognize these professionals who have taken the extra steps in their professional development and become certified professional operators\u2014they serve as an inspiration for other water operators and for everyone. As citizens, let us show our gratitude for their invaluable service by supporting Professional Operators across the country. Join them\u2014become a Professional Operator today and make a difference in your community!<\/span>","post_title":"Superior Water Starts With You","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"superior-water-starts-with-you","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-04-21 13:11:34","post_modified_gmt":"2023-04-21 18:11:34","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/immerse.gowpi.org\/?p=845","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_11"};

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Professional Operator

Home Category Professional Operator

Professional Operator

Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya

by Malorie Hendrix
May 7, 2025

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Women's History Month

Celebrating Women’s History Month: The Wyoming PO Pioneers

by Malorie Hendrix
March 27, 2025

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Professional Operator

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Spotlight on Margaret Doss, PO

by Malorie Hendrix
March 8, 2025

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Professional Operator

POwer in Tennessee

by DJG
August 3, 2023

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Professional Operator

International POwer

by DJG
July 10, 2023

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Professional Operator

POwer in DC

by DJG
May 31, 2023

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Professional Operator

Women In Water: The Shantelle Clarke Story

by Malorie Hendrix
May 5, 2023

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Professional Operator

Superior Water Starts With You

by DJG
April 21, 2023

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