The Water Research Foundation has released Competency Model Development and Application to Meet Water Utility Workforce Needs (Project #4244) to help utilities analyze key jobs to identify the skills and personal characteristics that drive superior performance. The project developed competency models for 12 positions identified as important in utility functioning and projected to have high levels of vacancies in the next decade: water treatment plant operator; distribution system operator; process control specialist; water operations supervisor; facilities maintenance mechanic technician; instrument technician; distribution system operations supervisor; foreman/crew leader; water quality specialist; customer service representative; laboratory technician; project engineer.
New resources resulting from the WaterRF project Business Continuity Plans for Water Utilities(Project #4319) include a guidance manual, template and video training modules for utilities to prepare the business case for business continuity plans, as well as to develop plans themselves.
Information on competency models is at www.waterrf.org/Pages/Projects.aspx?PID=4244 and business continuity plans at www.waterrf.org/Pages/Projects.aspx?PID=4319.