Program Discussion #109: SADDLBK / Water Management and Conservation

Welcome to the discussion for program #109: SADDLBK / Water Management and Conservation

As the closest college to you with a water program, we have the following questions/concerns and thought posting them would also benefit the other water programs in the region.

1. What are the professional certifications students would be prepared for through this program? We’d like to ensure that you’re not duplicating the same certifications.
2. What specific occupation/labor market information has been derived from the Advisory Committee Meetings and local industry conferences for water management and conservation?
3. What are the specific jobs related to the $11 million water pilot projects?

Thank you.

Hi Kari,

Thanks for the opportunity to provide you with information... Here is the responses to your questions.

1. What are the professional certifications students would be prepared for through this program? We’d like to ensure that you’re not duplicating the same certifications. a. A person would be prepared for the AWWA CANV Water Use Efficiency Practitioner Grade 1 and Grade 2 Exams since the exams focus on water end uses, conservation measures, and on regional water issues and resources.
2. What specific occupation/labor market information has been derived from the Advisory Committee Meetings and local industry conferences for water management and conservation? a. Most of the information has been more informal, even the The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics hasn't compiled figures specifically for water conservation specialists. Typically the data focuses on hydrology or waste water treatment, and although those sectors are growing, it is not what this program is focusing on. b. The two local water districts (Moulton Niguel and Santa Margarita) we have been working closely with to develop this program stress the importance of conservation, especially in southern California. The common belief is that the cheapest water is the water not used. c. Originally, water districts focused on new sources of water (reclaimed water, desalination), but now with the drought in California and climate change globally, the focus has shifted to better water management and conservation.
3. What are the specific jobs related to the $11 million water pilot projects? a. The program just went into effect October 8, 2014 so the Bureau of Reclamation is just beginning to solicit water conservation project proposals from Colorado River entitlement holders in Arizona, California, and Nevada for the 2015-16 funding cycle. b. The projects are intended to demonstrate the viability of cooperative, voluntary projects to reduce demand for Colorado River water. The project proposals will come from agriculture, and municipal and industrial Colorado River water entitlement holders.
4. Although all the water programs in the region will share common educational themes, Saddleback College has worked hard to develop a water program that is distinct and different from the other established programs in our region. It should be clear that the primary focus of our program is water conservation. Also, Saddleback is committed to work with other colleges to make sure all of the water programs are successful.

Kari and Tony, Thank you for the questions and responses. Citrus College has been in this space for quite some time now (since 1970) and while our current program primarily serves an incumbent workforce specializing in DPH D1-D5 and T1-T5 certifications our Water program is very impacted. We too are expanding our conservation component (currently we align with AWWA grade 1 certification). Water conservation has now been added to our Public Works core as the industry is seeing it threaded through many occupations. We are also developing an advanced water conservation/recycling component using our Prop 39 funds to pair with our treatment and distribution certificate/degree. Good luck with your programs.

Hi Tony,

You’ll see that Santiago Canyon College is pulling this program for discussion due to unnecessary duplication.

We welcome collaboration and regionalization of curriculum, and would like our faculty an opportunity to work with your faculty to make this a successful alignment project.

Your team has been able to answer our initial questions as outlined above, which we appreciate. The next step is to provide an opportunity to work with your faculty. Our concerns, which we’ve discussed over the phone, include the ability for potential duplication in the future due to the vagueness of the catalog description, the general certification information, and possible duplication of curriculum as it will be posted in your catalog.

We understand your intent to set the program apart from ours, and we’d like to work with you towards that end.

Thank you and we look forward to working with you & your team.

Kari