Biosolids Profession: Are We There Yet

1
Biosolids ProfessionAre We There Yet?

• William E. Toffey
• Biosolids Utilization Manager
• Philadelphia Water Department
• 215-685-6248 william.toffey_at_phila.gov

2
The Biosolids Industry, or is it the Biosolids
Profession?

• Biosolids is a Young Industry
• The Biosolids Industry is Beginning to Grow Up
• National Biosolids Partnership says, call it the
  biosolids profession.
• We want to be a PROFESSION!

3
What is a Profession?

• 1.  an occupation that requires extensive
  education or specialized trainingFrom
  http//encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861736704/profe
  ssion.html

4
Nature of a Profession

• Common body of knowledge
• Formal education process
• Standards of entry
• Learned art with a common calling
• Recognition of public responsibility
• Willingness to act with restraint for the common
  good
• Adoption of Code of Ethics
• http//business.baylor.edu/Bill_Thomas/courses/acc
  4502/ethics/sld011.htm

5
ABC as a Means to a Professional End

• ABC helps define common body of knowledge and
  formal education process
• ABC helps define standard of entry
• ABC helps codify ethics and public responsibility

6
Road to Professionalism

• Need-to-Know and Job Survey --establishing the
  body of knowledge
• Subject Matter Experts and Test Item Development
  establishing the standards of entry
• ABC is the Road to Professionalism for
  biosolids appliers

7
Status of ABC Initiative

• Committee formed to create need-to-know inventory
  and job survey
• Survey will soon be distributed to biosolids land
  appliers
• Subject matter committee will be formed to create
  test items
• ABC will verify test
• ABC and others will advocate for voluntary
  certification programs

8
Are We Prepared to Admit that We Can Do Better in
the Future than We Have in the Past?

• Our Industry Meets Minimum Standards. Thats Not
  Good Enough!
• The Payback of Continual Improvement
• Training and Certification is a Tool for
  Continual Improvement and EMS

9
Do We Meet The Training Test?

• How extensive is our training today?
• How specialized is our training today?
• How do we verify quality of training today?
• Answer Substantial work needed in this area!

10
Are We Prepared to Spend Money and Time on
Training?

• Committing to National Biosolids Partnership --
  WEF, AMSA and EPA
• The Environmental Management System for Biosolids
• Selling the EMS Could Mean Selling Training
• At present, EMS does not include land applier
  certification

11
Are We Prepared to Spend Resources on a
Certification Program?

• It All Comes Down to Money are agencies
  willing to commit resources?
• Volunteer Burnout Same People Always Participate
• Recruiting New Participants is Necessary

12
Are We Prepared for a Voluntary Certification
Program for Biosolids?

• Adults Take Responsibility for Their Actions
• Existing Training and Certification Programs for
  Biosolids Are Limited
• Objections to Certification are Numerous
• No regulatory mandate for program

13
Are We Prepared to Pay More for Professional
Biosolids Utilization?

• Selling the Idea of Higher Costs for Biosolids
  Utilization for Better Services
• Requiring Training and Certification in Municipal
  Contracts
• Are managers willing to pay more for
  professional employees?

14
Are We Prepared to Uphold Code of Ethics ?

• Self-Policing Our Industry
• Is Certification Fair?
• Learning to Draw Distinctions Tough Love and
  Biosolids

15
Is the Biosolids Industry Prepared to be a
Profession?

• MABA is prepared to contribute to an ABC Subject
  Matter Expert Committee
• MABA expects to set up a certifying board
• MABA intends to promote the certification test in
  the six-state Mid Atlantic region.
• MABA will advocate use of test in other regions.