2008 Annual Report - DC Water

Left: The DC WASA wellness program
includes seminars and workshops on health
topics, health screenings, and fitness and
nutrition programs.
Right: The Blue Plains wastewater
treatment plant is one of the most complex
industrial sites in the city. DC WASA and
the District fire department have a joint
awareness training program for all firstresponders
to the Blue Plains facility.
•yBasic skills and technical training classes, including an
adult literacy program
•ySelf-managed career development programs with
workshops with online components
•yRefresher training on DC WASA policies to ensure a safe
work environment and provide quality services
•ySuccession planning and executive development
programs for executive and key senior staff
Wastewater Treatment Operator Trainee Program
To fill vacancies in the Department of Wastewater Treatment,
this program prepares participants for certification testing
through classroom and on-the-job training for practical
experience in the wastewater treatment field.
Engineering Management Training Program
This program is designed to develop a pool of qualified and
diverse candidates for future vacancies in the engineering
and technical services department. Six graduates from
Howard University, the University of Virginia and the University
of Pennsylvania, with majors in civil, mechanical and
environmental engineering, began projects in the operations
departments to gain hands-on experience.
Succession Planning/Executive Development Programs
To ensure continuity in leadership for executive and key senior
staff positions, DC WASA has designed a succession planning
and executive development program. An additional component
involves the identification of critical positions that, if left vacant for
an extended period for time, would result in a grave impact on
the Authority’s operations and services and the environment.
As part of its succession planning effort, DC WASA
completed knowledge capture workshops in the water,
wastewater and engineering and technical services
departments. These workshops capture tacit knowledge of
critical operations from employees who are eligible to retire
and identify competences that are essential for effective
management and business continuity.
Summer interns gain valuable experience
in 10th year of program
Young men and women eager to get a jump on their careers
participated in DC WASA’s 2008 Summer Internship Program.
During the 10-week internship, students from universities and
colleges across the country complete a variety of assignments
and special projects in areas that include environmental science,
research and law, water and sewer services, engineering,
information technology, finance and more. Exposure to
careers and opportunities at DC WASA has proven to be
a successful recruitment tool. In addition to tackling work
assignments, the interns were busy with community service
projects and professional development training.
Ensuring a healthy work
environment
Labor-Management Partnerships
Currently there are departmental labor-management
partnerships in maintenance services, sewer services,
facilities and security and safety. The continuing focus is on
improving productivity and developing on-the-job multi-skill
training. The employees learn additional skills that could be
useful for career advancement.
The safety director meets with managers and employees
each month to address issues and share concerns. The
result of these labor and management partnerships is a
continuous improvement in communications, operations and
the workplace environment.
Recognition of Administrative Professionals
is an annual event at DC WASA
Each year, National Administrative Professionals Week
is recognized the last full week in April. In 2008, DC
dcwasa essential to Life. 26
2008 a n n u a l re p o r t