Arkansas Rural Water Association

• Apprentices must not be less than 18 year of age. Proof of age is required.
• A high school diploma, General Educational Development (GED) equivalency or other high school equivalency credential is required.
• Applicants must submit a DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience if they are a veteran and wish to receive consideration for such training/experience.
• Applicants will be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the apprenticeship program, with or without a reasonable accommodation, and without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or others.
• Apprentices will be required to take and pass a drug screening on acceptance into the program and prior to employment.
• Pursuant to federal guidance all employees of public water systems must pass a background check. Applicants will be required to pass a qualifying background investigation upon selection into the apprenticeship program and prior to employment.
• Apprentices must possess a valid state issued vehicle operator license and be insurable at normal commercial rates on acceptance into the program and prior to employment.

All application must be received through the NRWA Apprenticeship Tracking System at NRWA - National Rural Water Apprenticeship Program

Apprentices shall receive on-the-job instruction and experience as is necessary to become a qualified Water Systems Operations Specialist versed in the theory and practice of the occupation. The following is a condensed schedule of work experience, which every apprentice shall follow as closely as conditions will permit.

1. Tools, Equipment and Work Place Safety - 240 Hours
   1. Become familiar with tools, pipe, and other materials used out on the job
   2. Understand and use personal protective equipment and safety procedures
   3. Demonstrate general plant safety and security operations
   4. Plan and set up work areas for the safety of crew and public
   5. Confined spaces and traffic control zones
   6. Perform all work in conformance with OSHA regulations
2. Vehicles and Specialized Equipment - 400 Hours
   1. Ensure that vehicles and equipment are adequately stocked & serviced
   2. Become familiar working with excavation and other specialized equipment
3. System Operations & Maintenance - 1920 Hours
   1. Develop a working knowledge of the operation, methods and procedures of a water treatment & distribution system
   2. Perform installation and inspection of new water lines and services
   3. Understand and implement customer metering and billing procedures
   4. Perform leak detection and understand water loss control
   5. Reading water meters, performing testing & proper sizing
   6. Demonstrate ability to read and interpret maps and drawings of the water system, to locate valves and water mains
   7. Assist with the installation, maintenance, and repair of the treatment plant, storage tanks, and the distribution system
   8. Develop a working knowledge of preventive maintenance, troubleshooting & repair of mechanical equipment
4. Quality Control - 960 Hours
   1. Learn to perform all aspects of sampling, monitoring, and testing required to maintain compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations
   2. Identify normal/out-of-range values
   3. Maintain open communication & report results to supervisors
   4. Learn emergency response procedures
5. Logistics, Reports and Supervision - 480 Hours
   1. Complete work order forms & document routine maintenance
   2. Order equipment and supplies as needed
   3. Visit other facilities to learn about new technology

TOTAL HOURS 4000

Apprentices shall receive on-the-job instruction and experience as is necessary to become a qualified Water Systems Operations Specialist versed in the theory and practice of the occupation. The following is a condensed schedule of work experience, which every apprentice shall follow as closely as conditions will permit.

1. Tools, Equipment and Work Place Safety - 240 Hours
   1. Become familiar with tools, pipe, and other materials used out on the job
   2. Understand and use personal protective equipment and safety procedures
   3. Demonstrate general plant safety and security operations
   4. Plan and set up work areas for the safety of crew and public
   5. Confined spaces and traffic control zones
   6. Perform all work in conformance with OSHA regulations
2. Vehicles and Specialized Equipment - 400 Hours
   1. Ensure that vehicles and equipment are adequately stocked & serviced
   2. Become familiar working with excavation and other specialized equipment
3. System Operations & Maintenance - 1920 Hours
   1. Develop a working knowledge of the operation, methods and procedures of a water treatment & distribution system
   2. Perform installation and inspection of new water lines and services
   3. Understand and implement customer metering and billing procedures
   4. Perform leak detection and understand water loss control
   5. Reading water meters, performing testing & proper sizing
   6. Demonstrate ability to read and interpret maps and drawings of the water system, to locate valves and water mains
   7. Assist with the installation, maintenance, and repair of the treatment plant, storage tanks, and the distribution system
   8. Develop a working knowledge of preventive maintenance, troubleshooting & repair of mechanical equipment
4. Quality Control - 960 Hours
   1. Learn to perform all aspects of sampling, monitoring, and testing required to maintain compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations
   2. Identify normal/out-of-range values
   3. Maintain open communication & report results to supervisors
   4. Learn emergency response procedures
5. Logistics, Reports and Supervision - 480 Hours
   1. Complete work order forms & document routine maintenance
   2. Order equipment and supplies as needed
   3. Visit other facilities to learn about new technology

TOTAL HOURS 4000

Year 1 Curriculum
Orientation - 8 hours
Water Specialist Basic Math - 8 hours
Introduction to Small Water Systems - 16 hours
Water Specialist Advanced Math - 8 hours
Basic Distribution - 24 hours
Basic Treatment - 24 hours
Intermediate Distribution - 24 hours
Distribution Systems - 24 hours
Drinking-Water Rules & Regulations - 8 hours

Year 2 Curriculum
Financial Sustainability & Capacity Development - 16 hours
Managerial Sustainability & Capacity Development - 16 hours
Small Water Systems - 24 hours
Distribution Systems - 16 hours
Intermediate Treatment - 24 hours
Advanced Treatment - 24 hours
Advanced Distribution - 24 hours

Total Formal Training Hours 288 Hours

The mission of Arkansas Rrural Water Association is to provide Arkansas’ Rural Water utilities the highest level of Training and Technical Services in order to obtain Quality Water at the lowest possible cost.

The Arkansas Rural Water Association is a non-profit organization of rural and small publicly owned water and wastewater systems. Our goal is to enhance the lives of Arkansans. Our efforts to achieve this goal are focused on providing training and technical assistance to the managers and operators of all eligible systems serving populations not greater than 10,000. Our staff and directors work with other non-profit organizations in representing the interest of public water and wastewater systems at both the local and national levels.

The Water Systems Operation Specialist apprenticeship standards have as their objective the training of utility workers skilled in all phases of the industry. ARWA recognizes that in order to accomplish this, there must be well-developed on-the-job learning combined with related instruction.

This recognition has resulted in the development of the standards of apprenticeship. They were developed in accordance with the basic standards recommended by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship,in March 2020.

(1) Arkansas Rural Water Association Apprenticeship Program | Facebook

An Apprenticeship opportunity to begin a career as a Water Operations Specialist. As an apprentice you will learn how to manage the earth's most valuable resource. You will learn the processes to operate a successful water treatment plant and how to maintain a sustainable water distribution system. The Apprenticeship program is typically a two-year program that requires two essential parts:

• On-the-Job Training (OJT): An apprentice is typically required to complete a minimum of 2,000 hours of structured on-the-job (OJT) training. Apprentices are paid wages while participating in OJT.
• Related Technical Instruction (RTI): Apprentices must also be engaged in classroom learning that supports their OJT activities. It is recommended that the apprentice complete at least 144 hours of related technical instruction each year. RTI will be conducted by Arkansas Rural Water Association, the premier training organization in the state of Arkansas. Typically, the employer pays the cost of the RTI, and often also pays wages for the time the apprentice spends in class.