In October 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new effort to address the workforce challenges facing the water industry. This work acknowledges the reality that more than one-third of the nation’s drinking water and wastewater workforce is eligible to retire in the next 10 years and recognizes that water utilities provide an important opportunity for stable, high-quality careers.

“Our industry faces some significant challenges if we don’t take into consideration that we’ve historically had problems recruiting and retaining women and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC),” said Jenn Zuchowski, Environmental Services manager of Workforce & Equity. “The industry can and needs to do better. In MCES we have made a lot of meaningful progress, but there is still more work to be done and we’re up for the challenge!”

MCES staff have been advising the EPA on areas of this initiative and shared some of our work and insights with our industry partners. MCES has become a national leader in workforce diversity through our innovative programs like the Construction Inspector Program and Electrical Apprenticeship Program.

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Traditionally, open positions for a construction inspector in MCES’s Construction Services draw a similar pool of candidates: qualified individuals with considerable experience in the construction industry, but with limited gender and ethnic diversity that is not reflective of the communities we serve. Anticipating a need to fill three additional construction inspector positions in the next two years, staff across ES partnered with Human Resources to create a workforce development solution that identifies individuals from diverse backgrounds who have the aptitude, interest, and commitment to grow in a career as a construction inspector. Construction inspectors are responsible for monitoring construction activities to ensure compliance with construction specifications and plans. They work closely with other MCES staff and contractors and subcontractors.

One goal of the Construction Inspector Program is to replicate the experience and knowledge that applicants typically have by creating “ladder” positions that can put someone on a progressive career pathway within MCES for three or more years. As part of this program, applicants can be construction inspector trainees for one year and construction inspector associates for two or more years as they develop their skills.

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In addition to having a direct supervisor to guide their work, ES interns participate in activities to enrich their overall experience of working for the division. Through the ES intern program, they are introduced to the full scope of services provided by the division and enhance their knowledge of how a complex organization operates.

The advisory team is a group of employees who share an interest in assisting ES interns to make their experiences at the Met Council informative and enjoyable – and to hopefully retain interns for future employment, especially within ES.

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‘My Heart Sings So My Spirit May Fly’ Feb. 23 event

To celebrate Black History Month, the Environmental Services Workforce and Equity Department and the Met Council’s Community Development division invite you to attend the lyrical, informative presentation “My Heart Sings So My Spirit May Fly” on Feb. 23, 10 – 11:30 a.m., via Webex (dial-in option: 415-655-0003, access code: 187 510 0203).

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Six Keystone Team Awards were given to employees for their outstanding work on:

• Averting a potential wastewater spill;
• Improving methods of collecting and applying interceptor infrastructure data;
• Developing and implementing the MCES COVID-19 Testing Program;
• Planning and presenting the annual year-end training and recognition event for Wastewater Planning & Capital Project Delivery;
• Carrying out a new sewer pipe cleaning and odor control unit maintenance program; and
• Improving and carrying out the Interceptor Inspection Program in 2020.

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• Upgrading Microsoft Edge browser: Information Services began rolling out the newest version of Microsoft Edge on Feb. 15. All Met Council computers should have the new version of the web browser by early March. When you get this version, you will notice the new icon for Edge.
• W-2 forms are now available: Employees can now access their W-2 tax form through Employee Self Service (ESS) – but only if you have previously consented to receive the information electronically. If you have not previously given consent, you can complete the consent form in ESS and then access your W-2. For employees who have not consented, paper W-2 forms were scheduled to be mailed by February 1.
• Managers and supervisors: Required workshops start this week: The pre-Leadership Forum workshop Intercultural Conflict Styles invites managers to explore a shared meaning of conflict, dimensions of conflict, and bridging across differences in times of emotional upset.
• Trade Time For Fitness deadline March 1: Trade Time for Fitness is a health and wellness program that allows you to trade in your annual leave hours to receive up to $2,000 (gross) per payroll year in reimbursements for eligible health and wellness-related expenses, and now includes eligible home office furniture.

Full information on MetNet.

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