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Update on Operator Certification Examinations

Posted By IAMU, Monday, December 14, 2020
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa's drinking water and wastewater operators took proctored, standardized certification exams either at the DMACC Southridge Computer Lab or by appointment at one of the six Iowa DNR Regional Field Offices. Due to the ambiguity of when, and if, these venues will again be open to the public, Iowa DNR is switching to a process using "remote proctoring" for the examinations.

An operator is able to take a drinking water or wastewater certification exam on any laptop or desktop computer that has a camera and microphone; this does NOT include tablets, IPads, or phones. Once you log in on the link provided by the testing company via email, your browser is frozen; a proctor can see you through the camera; your surroundings are monitored for extra materials or cheating; and the test session is recorded for future reference if there are any cheating suspicions or accusations.  The testing company will provide a YouTube Video and live customer support for any technical issues arising during a "remote" session.

After the pandemic, operators will have two options for exam delivery: "remote proctoring" and the traditional method of on-line testing at an Iowa DNR Field Office or Community College computer lab.

How does an operator sign up for a remotely proctored exam? To register to take your exam remotely, email the following information to this address: ExamRemoteProctoringRegistrationOpCert@dnr.iowa.gov
  1. Name 
  2. Operator ID#
  3. Exam Category and Grade you have already received Iowa DNR approval to sit for.  Remember: you must have been issued an IDNR Eligibility Letter prior to registering to take a remote exam. 
You will receive an automatic reply from the Iowa DNR confirming our receipt of your request.

Next Step: Watch for an email from the proctoring service: PSI Customer Service <schedule@goamp.com>  This email will include the following:
  1. Detailed instructions for exam scheduling and procedure; 
  2. A link for the scheduling and rescheduling of your unique exam(s). You will have complete control over this. Remote Proctoring is offered twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;
  3. A tutorial video; and,
  4. An 800 customer service number you can call anytime, 24/7, with any questions concerning the Remote Proctoring process or for any technical assistance.
Please direct any questions to the Iowa DNR Operator Certification Program to Beth Feilmeier at elizabeth.feilmeier@dnr.iowa.gov or (515)725-0463.

What happens after I complete the remote exam? Upon completion of your exam, the DNR will receive and process your score.  Please allow 48 to 72 business hours to process and mail the letter.

If you receive a passing score: Once the score is processed, the fee can be paid online on the database webpage (fastest method), or you can wait for your "pass" letter in the mail and then mail the letter and payment back to DNR.

If you need to retest: Once the score is processed, you can pay the retest fee online on the database webpage (fastest method), or you can wait for your "retest" letter in the mail and then mail the letter and payment back to the DNR.  Once you have paid your retest fee, you may begin the process of scheduling your retest by following the directions shown above under the heading of "How does an operator sign up for a remotely proctored exam?"

This information is also posted on the Operator Certification webpage.

Tags:  iDNR  Wastewater  Water 

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Save the Date: Water/Wastewater Operator’s Training Workshop

Posted By IAMU, Wednesday, September 2, 2020

IAMU will be taking the 26th Annual Water/Wastewater Operator’s Training Workshop online this year.

Mark your calendar for November 10 (water treatment track), 17 (water distribution track), and 24 (wastewater track), 2020.

Each day will be good for 5 CEU hours and operators will be able to sign up for 1 or all 3 days.

Registration will open in the next 2 weeks and the full agenda for each day will be available.

Tags:  CEUs  Wastewater  Water  Water Distribution  Water Treatment  Water Workshop 

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DNR Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator Exams

Posted By IAMU, Friday, July 31, 2020

Iowa's Drinking Water and Wastewater operators, pre COVID19, took proctored, standardized certification exams either at DMACC Southridge Computer Lab or, by appointment, at one of the IDNR Regional Field Offices.   Due to the ambiguity of when, and if, these venues will again be open to the public, Iowa is switching to "remote proctoring".  In early August an operator will be able to take their Drinking Water or Wastewater certification exam on any computer that has a camera and microphone. 

Once they log in on the link and put in their unique number assigned upon eligibility, their browser is frozen; a proctor from the company we are using can see them through the camera; their surroundings are monitored for extra materials or cheating; and the test session is recorded for future reference if there is any cheating suspicions or accusations. The testing company will provide a YouTube Video and live customer support for any technical issues arising during a "remote" session. Once we are up and running all our backlogged exams should be cleaned up pretty quickly, potentially within a couple of days, and if we have to shelter in place again down the road there will be no interruption in examination services. Post Covid19 our operators will have two options for exam delivery: "remote proctoring" and our traditional method of on-line at an IDNR Field Office or Community College computer lab. 

How do operators get signed up for a remotely proctored exam? IDNR will send out letters; utilize the DNR listserves and post on our website all information relative to an operator's new testing options when we have a more finite start date. Potential examinees should monitor our OpCert Static Webpage https://www.iowadnr.gov/environmental-protection/water-quality/certification/water-wastewater-operators; all information will be posted here the minute it is finalized.  Also, if you are not signed up for the Drinking Water or Clean Water listserve, you should be. Drinking Water Listserve contact is  Diane.moles@dnr.iowa.gov and Wastewater is courtney.cswercko@dnr.iowa.gov. All you do is send them an email and they will add your email address to the distribution list. Stay tuned for more info!!! 

Tags:  COVID-19  DMACC  IDNR  Wastewater  Water 

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Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week: August 16 - 22

Posted By IAMU, Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Governor Reynolds has signed a proclamation proclaiming August 16-22, 2020 as "Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week". This week is set aside for cities and towns to honor those workers in the water and wastewater industry for their daily environmental work in keeping Iowans and the Iowa environment safe and healthy.

Tags:  Wastewater  Water  Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week 

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New Chopper Pump Technologies & Collection Systems 101 Webinar

Posted By IAMU, Wednesday, July 1, 2020
IAMU is offering a 2-hour New Chopper Pump Technologies & Collection Systems 101  Webinar for our utility members on July 7th.

Presented by Chad Sparks from Electric Pump and Shane Jacobson from CIT Sewer Solutions.

2 CEU hours available for wastewater.

Click here for more details and to register.

Only registered participants will receive the webinar link.

Tags:  CEUs  Wastewater 

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