ITEM 6D TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: APWA Board of Directors Becky Stein, Director of Education and Credentialing Education and Credentialing: DCS Reboot Plan Update January 31, 2017 BACKGROUND During the August 25, 2016, APWA Board of Directors meeting, PSI Services LLC presented a report on PSI s findings regardingg the Donald C. Stone In addition to reviewing background information on the program as well as details for processes provided by APWA staff, PSI conducted interviews with individuals and through focus groups. The report identified both positive and negative aspectss of the program and provided three potential recommendations for action: 1) do nothing, 2) ) reboot the program and create a comprehensive continuing education program retainingg the positive aspects of DCS, 3) discontinue all aspectss of DCS. The board took no formal action but was unanimous in selecting option 2 to reboot the program and directed staff to develop an action plan. STRATEGY To provide a more comprehensive and integrated education experience for APWA members and public works professionals. To provide DCS candidates, mentors and graduates with a personalized level of support to ensure continued success as they complete the DCS program, transition to a new program, or pursue career opportunities outside of the HIGHLIGHTS Since the November board of directors meeting, staff has successfully accomplished a number of tasks under Goal 1: Communicate Program Changes to Stakeholders, Goal 2: Facilitate Process for Currently Enrolled Candidates to Graduatee by PWX 2018, and Goal 3: Launch New Program. A new program concept will be proposed at the June board of directors meeting. The Professional Development Committee and a focus group of industry leaders (past CPWO advisory committee members, PW institute representat tives, DCS council chairs, Leadership and Management Committee members, PW human resources staff, and city managers) will provide to the board of directors a recommendation, which takes into consideration results from a recent 2017 feasibility survey and 2017 DCS stakeholder survey.
Highlights from the recent 2017 feasibility survey include: Well over half (62%) of respondents indicated they would be likely to participate in the certification program in the next five years. A majority (88%) of supervisors indicated at least 1 employee would participate in the certification program in the next five years. Overall, the primary reasons respondents indicated as why they likely would not be interested included that their current degree and/or certification is qualification enough (46%) or that their work experience was qualification enough (38%). Over half of all respondents agreed with the following: - A certification program would benefit agencies in the public works industry (82%) - A certification program would benefit the public works industry (81%) - A certification program would benefit the public (73%) - A certification program would benefit them professionally (72%) Overall, 83% of respondents agreed that APWA should develop a certification program targeted toward public works officials, managers and executives. We are on schedule for the new program launch to coincide with the final DCS graduation August 2018. 2 P age
ACTION PLAN STATUS GOAL ACTION STEP SUCCESS CRITERIA RESPONSIBILITY Goal 1: Communicate Program Changes to Stakeholders Identify stakeholder groups. Email stakeholder groups notice of program change. Email current candidates survey requesting candidate s path for proceeding two notices will be sent. Email current candidates and candidate s mentor that have not responded to survey requests providing them with final opportunity to reply. Notify mentors of candidates not wishing to continue in the Update APWA website to reflect changes in Survey DCS Stakeholders on professional certification concept. Email stakeholder groups with updated details on new All invested parties are aware of program changes. Delivery of a consistent message to all stakeholders. Identification of the number of candidates planning to graduate by PWX 2018. Identification of the number of candidates planning to the graduate by PWX 2018. Identify pool of mentors no longer needed to assist with candidates proceeding in the Delivery of accurate information consistent with the overall message being delivered to stakeholders. Input from DCS stakeholders to be incorporated into the new program design. Delivery of a consistent message to all stakeholders. TARGET 2/14/17 Ongoing as New Details Emerge 3 P age
Conduct final PWE Accelerated Interviews. Goal 2: Facilitate Process for Currently Enrolled Candidates to Graduate by PWX 2018 Provide personal checklists to candidates continuing in the Confirm mentor continuation and engagement for candidates continuing in the Provide new mentor options for those individuals whose mentors are no longer interested in continuing or are disengaged with the mentee. Develop toolkits for candidates and mentors providing guidance on PDP, Project Proposal and Final Project completion, including Council expectations. Conduct candidate and mentor forums reviewing toolkits and Council expectations. Send updated personal checklist and deadline reminders to candidates and mentors. Final Candidate Graduation Allow all candidates enrolled in the PWE A program an opportunity to graduate. Candidates clearly understand graduation and their current status in the Mentors not willing to continue in the program are identified. All candidates are paired with actively engaged mentors that can successfully assist them to graduation. Mentors and candidates clearly understand program completion and expectations of Council members. Mentors and candidates clearly understand program completion and expectations of Council members. Candidates clearly understand graduation, deadlines and their current status in the Successful completion for those candidates wishing to graduate from the existing DCS PWE A Review Team Quality Council Research Council Council Chairs Candidate Mentor 5/2017 Quarterly 8/27/18 4 P age
Conduct feasibility survey Confirm continued similar to the 2009 CPWO interest and support feasibility survey. in a professional certification Goal 3: Launch New Program Provide feasibility survey and DCS stakeholder survey results to the Professional Development Committee. Identify Focus Group of Industry Leaders New program plan provided to the Professional Development Committee for review and endorsement. Present new program recommendation to the Board for approval Distribute RFP for psychometric consultant group. Review proposals and select psychometric consultant group. Review 2010 CPWO Job Practice Analysis and determine approximate percentage of material to be updated. Conduct Job Practice Analysis Update BOD and Focus Group are provided input from the committee. Components of the new program are determined based on input from stakeholders and industry leaders. Program plan recommended by the Focus Group has committee endorsement. Board approves new program plan. Psychometric consultant groups provided with APWA expectations and requests for proposal. A quality consultant group identified within APWA budgetary guidelines. Percentage of previous study that is still accurate and percentage of material to be updated. Link established between the tasks performed by a public works official and the knowledge necessary to perform the tasks. Professional Development Committee 2/2017 3/2017 Focus Group 5/2017 6/2017 7/2017 8/2017 Leadership & Management Committee 9/2017 Focus Group 12/2017 5 P age
Develop Content Outline The examination Focus Group 12/2017 based on Job Practice Analysis reflects the actual results tasks performed by public works officials as identified in the job practice analysis. Identify item writers Exam items written by 12/2017 a diversified group of leadership and management subject matter experts. Goal 3: Launch New Program Conduct item writing workshop Identify Exam Review Work Group Develop program requirements and finalize program name. Review exam questions following national test development standards. Conduct trademark research on program name. Conduct cut score study and finalize exam forms. Exam items written to meet national exam standards. Leadership and management subject matter experts to provide guidance on the complete exam development. Program requirements consistent with APWA certification program standards. Exam meets national exam standards and contains information that has been validated through best practices and reference material in the industry. Identification of program name and credential that does not conflict with credentials already found in the industry. Passing scores (cutscore) for each exam form identified. Consultant 3/2017 3/2018 Focus Group 3/2018 Exam Review Work Group 5/2018 Legal 5/2018 Exam Review Group 6/2018 6 P age
Develop application and Materials available for 6/2018 marketing materials. completion for those Offer opportunity to those individuals wanting to transitioning from DCS to preapply. enter the Goal 3: Launch New Program Launch and market new Conduct first exam administration Public works professionals are aware of new program requirements. Successful completion of exam by first applicants. 8/2018 9/2018 GOAL ACTION STEP SUCCESS CRITERIA RESPONSIBILITY TARGET Provide new program Candidates clearly 6/2018 materials to candidates who understand have chosen to transition new from the current DCS program and how to successfully transition. Goal 4: Transition DCS Candidates into New Program Transition candidates into institute or new Provide DCS graduates information on how to transition into new program and/or keep their current credential through recertification. Candidates successfully enrolled in the new program or institute. Graduates clearly understand renewal current credential and how to transition into new program if desired. 12/2018 1/2019 7 P age
Identify a working group of A mentor/advisor Professional 7/2017 the Professional program developed Development Development Committee to by subject matter Committee determine a structure and experts with a guidelines for a comprehensive mentor/advisor understanding of all APWA professional development initiatives. Goal 5: Develop an Integrated Mentor/Advisor Program Review current mentor/advisor programs Develop Mentor/Advisor Program Guidelines Present Recommendation to Board of Directors Set up internal processes for mentorship Develop marketing materials and incorporate into integrated marketing plan. Launch mentorship Working Group members have a full understanding of existing mentor/advisor programs. Clearly defined guidelines for those entering and volunteering for the Board input into the program structure and guidelines. Program operations in place internally to effectively manage the Comprehensive plan integrating all of APWA s professional development initiatives. Members and public works professionals are aware of the opportunity to serve as a mentor/advisor or to be matched with a mentor/advisor. Mentorship Work Group Mentorship Work Group Mentorship Work Group 9/2017 11/2017 11/2017 3/2018 3/2018 3/2018 8 P age
A comprehensive and Comprehensive plan 1/2018 integrated Professional integrating all of Development Marketing APWA s professional Plan. development Goal 6: Integrated and Comprehensive Marketing Plan Implement comprehensive Professional Development Marketing Plan initiatives. Increased visibility and value of APWA s professional development initiatives. 2018 9 P age