In 2004, the Board of EOCP assigned Board Member and Operator, Pat Miller the task of investigating the option to add a new certification to meet the needs of Operators who are working in more than one utility. EOCP realized that Operators working in smaller utilities are exposed to many situations where the knowledge and experience gained in one utility applies to all utilities. Many of their smaller utility systems may not require a full-time operator, but require an Operator be available full time. Often these same operators work in two, three, or more utilities.
Under the current system, an Operator would have to work a minimum of 6 months, hands-on in one utility plus 6 months of related work before being able to sit their first certification exam. If they work in several utilities, the period before writing can be up to 2 plus years to write an exam in each area they wish to be certified in.
After consultation with other certification jurisdictions, government regulators, and certified Operators, the Board of EOCP approved the Multi-Utility Certification in September 2008.
To qualify for multi-utility certification, the Operator must meet the following requirements:
- Have Grade 12 or equivalent
- Have taken 0.6 CEUs in an approved applicable course
- Have worked a minimum of 12 calendar months in 2 or more utilities (water or wastewater treatment, water distribution or wastewater collection) for MU Level I, and 36 calendar months in 2 or more utilities for MU Level II
- The utilities worked in must serve a permanent population of 10,000 or less
- Have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours in 2 or more utilities for MU Level I and 3,000 hours in 2 or more utilities for MU Level II
- Level I – Multi-Utility Certification – the Operator must have worked a minimum of 500 hours in the utility being applied for, and pass the Level I exam
- Level II – Multi-Utility Certification – the Operator must have worked a minimum of 1,500 hours in the utility being applied for, and pass the Level II exam
NOTE: The Multi-Utility Certification Program allows an Operator who meets the experience requirements of a regular Level I or regular Level II Certification to be granted the appropriate certification upon application to EOCP and paying appropriate fees. Also, DRC hours may be applicable for use when applying to write a regular Level III or regular Level IV exam. Once certified, the Multi-Utility Operator must earn the appropriate CEUs for every two year period, as required by all Certified Operators.
For further information or to apply, visit the EOCP Web Site at www.eocp.ca or email us at eocp@eocp.ca.