R317-10-8. Utah Wastewater Operator Certification Council

  A. Membership.

  1. Members of the council shall be appointed by the board.

  a. Recommendations for appointments may be made by interested individuals or organizations, including the Department of Environmental Quality, Utah League of Cities and Towns, Water Environment Association of Utah, the Rural Water Association of Utah, and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Departments of universities in Utah.

  b. The council shall serve at the discretion of the board to oversee the certification program in an advisory capacity to the director as provided in this rule.

  2. The council shall consist of seven voting members and should include representation from interest groups as follows:

  a. four members who are operators holding valid certificates, with at least two members being wastewater collection system operators and two members being wastewater treatment system operators;

  b. one member with at least three years of management experience in either wastewater treatment, collection, or both, who represents municipal wastewater management;

  c. two members who are at large and may represent:

  (1) an educational institution in Utah;

  (2) those who are currently certified as wastewater operators in the private sector; or

  (3) vocational training.

  3. At least two non-voting division staff should be in attendance at any council meeting.

  4. Voting council members shall serve as follows:

  a. terms of office shall be for three years with two members retiring each year, except for the third year when three shall retire;

  b. any member who does not attend at least 50 percent of the meetings during a year of service may be replaced at the discretion of the board;

  c. appointments to succeed a council member who is unable to serve his full term shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term; and

  d. council members may be reappointed, but they do not automatically succeed themselves.

  5. A majority of voting members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting council business.

  6. Each year the Council shall elect from its membership a Chair and Vice Chair.

  B. Duties of the council shall include:

  1. evaluating examinations to ensure compatibility with operator responsibilities, accuracy of content, and composition of individual exam databank items;

  2. evaluating certification applications, as requested by the director, and making recommendations for approval or disapproval;

  3. assisting in administering examinations at various locations;

  4. providing a forum for ongoing evaluation of the certification program and recommending changes to the director;

  5. providing advice and recommendations for CEU approval; and

  6. preparing an annual report of certification program activities for distribution to the board and other interested parties.