APWA CERTIFICATIONS: WHAT ARE THEY REALLY ALL ABOUT? Keith Duncan, PE Senior Project Manager Olathe, KS Public Works APWA Certification Commission krduncan@olatheks.org VALUE OF CERTIFICATION Value to the Individual Professional Recognition & Respect Increased Marketability & Hiring Potential Highlights Leadership & Expertise Professional & Career Development Value to the Organization Credibility & Professionalism Raises the Bar for Public Works Nationwide Network of Professionals Hiring with Confidence Value to the Community Standardized Methods & Procedures Quality Solutions & Outcomes Stewardship of Resources Local Expertise 1
3 APWA CERTIFICATIONS Certified Public Fleet Professional (CPFP) Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII) Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM) www.apwa.net/certification 91 Certified CPFP Fleet Professionals actively supervise, manage, oversee and/or administer fleet services within a public or private fleet entity. Eligibility requirements were revised in 2014 to include fleet professionals with private fleet experience. 2
255 Certified CPII Public Infrastructure Inspectors inspect the construction of public infrastructure and facilities and other types of construction work and materials to ensure compliance with plans and specifications. 95 Certified 3
CSM Stormwater Managers coordinate and implement stormwater management programs for city, county, state, provincial, and federal agencies. These individuals assist in administering drainage, flood control, and water quality programs. WHY APWA CERTIFICATION? National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) Recognizes broad based career competency Process Integrity - Increases Value Feasibility Study and Job Analysis Peer written Exam / subject matter experts Commission, Council and Committee Oversight Focus on Public Works Computer-Based Testing Flexibility in Site Location Reduced Costs More testing Opportunities Rigorous - Increases Value PROGRAM COMPONENTS Application Education / Experience Combination Examination Based on Content Outline Recertification every 5 years Continuing Education Contributions to the Profession 4
CPFP & CSM FEES Application Fee: APWA Member $195 USD Nonmember $245 USD Examination Fee: Place of Employment $500 USD Testing Center $550 USD Recertification Fee: (5 yrs.) APWA Member $195 USD Nonmember $245 USD CPII FEES Application Fee: APWA Member $95 USD Nonmember $145 USD Examination Fee: Place of Employment $300 USD Testing Center $350 USD Recertification Fee: (5 yrs.) APWA Member $95 USD Nonmember $145 USD EXAMINATION Based on Content Outline 150 Questions - Multiple Choice Written by Subject Matter Experts Reviewed by APWA Peers Computer Based Exam Place of Employment Testing Authorized Testing Centers 5
EXAM PREPARATION Content Outline Recommended Reading List Years of Experience APWA Training/Study Programs APWA Study Guide / Sample Exams Work to have a comprehensive understanding of all areas. Spend time reviewing the Content Outline and then target your studying and preparation to those items you feel you need further review in. Some of the items you probably do on a regular basis and those you probably won t have any problem with. Recognize the items you don t know as well and spend more time with those. CONTENT OUTLINE Specifies the content of the exam to ensure it accurately reflects what individuals do in a particular job, occupation, or profession What the test should cover Relative emphasis of each content area An outline for study and preparation I purchased several of the recommended items on the reading list and spent most of my time studying those references. The Content Outline gives you all of the topics that you ll be tested on and I used that as the basis for knowing what to study. That approach worked for me. CSM CPII CONTENT OUTLINE I. TESTING, MEASUREMENT, and INSPECTION: 75 items (Recall: 28, Application: 42, Analysis: 5) A. Underground Construction: 20 items B. At-Grade Construction: 22 items C. Structural Construction: 8 items D. General Construction: 25 items II. PROJECT PLANNING and MANAGEMENT: 37 items (Recall: 15, Application: 22, Analysis: 0) A. Planning: 13 items B. Management: 24 items III. PROJECT COMPLIANCE and DOCUMENTATION: 38 items (Recall: 10, Application: 23, Analysis: 5) A. Compliance: 22 items B. Documentation: 16 items 6
CPFP READING LIST 1. Protection of Environment. Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 112.7. 2. Protection of Environment. Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 261. 3. Protection of Environment. Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 264.193. 4. APWA. The Concise Manual for Calculating Public Fleet Rates. Kansas City: APWA, 2008. 5. APWA. Demonstrating the Value of Your Fleet Management Program. Kansas City: APWA, 2004. 6. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Pocketbook. Neenah: J.J. Keller & Associates, updated monthly. 7. Dolce, John. Fleet Management. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984. 8. ICMA. Fleet Management IQ Report. Washington: ICMA. 2002. 9. APWA. Managing Public Equipment. Kansas City: APWA, 2001. 10.Material Safety Data Sheet Center. http://www.msds.com/ 11.EPA Automotive Maintenance and Repair Shop: Pollution Prevention Guide. http://www.p2pays.org/ref/14/13056.pdf 12.APWA. Public Fleet Management Training Course. Kansas City: APWA, 2006. RECERTIFICATION Five Year Cycle Recertification Fees Recertification Requirements CPFP & CSM = 100 Hours CPII = 50 Hours Combination of Continuing Education & Contributions to the Profession APWA Members Library CSM RECERTIFICATION Minimum of 100 credits for recertification: Participation in a public works or stormwater-related association: Chapter/Branch Meeting Attendance = 1 credit per meeting attended Serve as an Officer, Chair, Co-Chair or Committee Member = 10 credits per year Speaker, Instructor or Moderator = 5 credits per session Published Article Less than 500 words = 5 credits per piece Published Article 500 words or greater = 10 credits per each printed piece Continuing Education by APWA, or other associations related to stormwater or public works (includes face-to-face and online delivery). Each clock hour = 1 credit Annual Conference Attendance = 6 credits per each day of attendance Approved Delivery Methods Continuing education programs Courses taken for credit at an accredited college or university. In-house training programs conducted by your agency or city. Correspondence programs. Technical upgrading by manufacturers, vendors or certified school. Content areas must link back to the CSM Content Outline. 7
APWA vs. OTHER CERTIFICATIONS I believe this certification is most appropriate for the governmental fleet manager. Certifications offered by private associations dwell on issues that the public fleet manager almost never has to confront. - CPFP The CSM certification seems to be more comprehensive than others I ve seen and considered. APWA has done an excellent job in establishing and maintaining the integrity of this certification. - CSM I found the process to be very credible because you don t just sit in a seminar and get taught the test. I have been through a lot of those and this process was the most credible I have experienced. That was my first thought when I completed the test. - CPII APWA CHAPTER/BRANCH INVOLVEMENT Be a Champion Presentations about Certification Awards/Recognition Program Provide Volunteer Opportunities to those Certified Chapter Library/Study Groups Promote Hiring Preferences/Payroll Incentives Financial Scholarships VALUE OF CERTIFICATION Value to the Individual Professional Recognition & Respect Increased Marketability & Hiring Potential Highlights Leadership & Expertise Professional & Career Development Value to the Organization Credibility & Professionalism Raises the Bar for Public Works Nationwide Network of Professionals Hiring with Confidence Value to the Community Standardized Methods & Procedures Quality Solutions & Outcomes Stewardship of Resources Local Expertise 8
QUESTIONS? Additional Information: www.apwa.net/certification certification@apwa.net 9