Admin Flashcards

1
Q

List the steps involved in a staffing analysis

A

1) prepare a detailed list of all the tasks to be performed to operate and maintain the utility
2) Estimate number of staff hours per year required to perform each task. Include time for supervision and training
3) List current employees and assign tasks
4) May need to hire full/part operator based on analysis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a qualifications profile

A

Clearly and precisely identifies the required job qualifications

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the purpose of a job interview

A

Gain additional info about applicant so most qualified can be hired

List of job related questions to each applicant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

List 4 protected groups

A

Minorities
Women
Disabled Persons
Persons over 40
Union Members

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does the OUCH principle stand for

A

Objective, Uniform treatment, Consistent with policies, Have job readiness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

When should a new employee’s safety training begin

A

On the 1st day of employment or as soon there after as possible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the purpose of a probationary period for new employees

A

3-6 months as long as 1 year

Management reserves the right to terminate employment of the person with or without cause

Both parties can assess the fit between job and person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What kind of compensation does an employee receive for worked performed

A

Includes
Pay; benefits; satisfaction; recognition; security

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why should utility managers provide training opportunities for employees

A

Safety training is particularly important for all operators and staff

Also operators can earn certificates/certification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Who is the appropriate person to conduct an employee’s performance eval

A

Employees immediate supervisor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What should be the attitude of a supervisor or manager when dealing with disciplinary problems

A

Stay calm, flexible, and open-minded when situation gets difficult

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are some common warning signs that an employee could become violent

A

Abusive language, threatening or confrontational behavior, and brandishing a weapon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is harassment

A

Any behavior that is offensive, annoying, or humiliating to an individual and that interferes with a persons ability to do a job

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

List 3 types of behavior that could be considered sexual harassment

A

Unwanted sexual advances

Visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the best way to prevent harassment

A

Set an example by your own behavior and to keep communication open between employees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the meaning of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act

A

Prohibits employment discrimination based on a person’s mental or physical disabilities

Applies to employers who have more than 15 employees

Disability: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 1 or more major life activities of an individual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the role of a shop steward

A

Elected by the union employees and is their official representative to management and the local union

Steward must create an effective link between the utility manager or super and the employees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How does a union contract affect a supervisor’s authority

A

Does not change the super’s delegated authority or responsibility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What should be done before a meeting

A

*Prepare an agenda and distribute it to all participants
*Find an adequate meeting location
*Set a beginning and end time for the meeting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What kinda of communication skills are needed by a manager

A

Both written and oral communication skills to effectively organize and direct the operation of a treatment facility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the most common written documents that a utility manager must write

A

Reports

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What should be included in the annual report

A

Should be a review of what and how the utility operates during the past year and it should also include the goals for the next year

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

With whom may a utility manager be asked to conduct meetings

A

Employees
Governing Boards
The public
Other field professionals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How do customers complaints help a utility

A

A valuable assets in determining consumer acceptance and pinpointing water quality problems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the 1st step in organizing a public relations campaign

A

Establish objectives

Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve
- better customer relations
-greater water conservation
-enhanced organizational credibility

26
Q

How can employees be kept informed of the utility’s plan, practice, and goals

A

Newsletters, bulletin boards, and regular open communication between super and subordinates will help build understanding and contribute to a team spirit

27
Q

Which new medium is more likely to give a story thorough in-depth coverage

A

Newspaper

28
Q

What is the key to effective public speaking

A

Well prepared while remaining a personal, informed style
Have a definite beginning, middle, and end

29
Q

What is a revenue bond

A

Used to fund utility improvements

Has NO limit on the amount of funds available and the user charged provide repayment on the bond

30
Q

What item should be considered when forecasting expenditures

A

Financial stability for the utility

Careful budgeting

Providing capital improvement funds for future expansion

31
Q

What does an operating ratio of 1.0 or more indicate about a utility

A

Operating ratio = measure of the total revenues divided by the total operating expenses

> 1.0 - utility that is in good financial shape

Most bonds and loans require at least 1.25

32
Q

What does a manager need to know to budget effectively

A

Understand how the money has been spent over the last year, the needs of the utility, and how the needs should be prioritized

33
Q

What is the purpose of an operation and maintenance program

A

To maintain design functionality (capacity) or to restore the system components to their original condition and thus functionality

34
Q

What makes a geographic info system a powerful tool for a water treatment or distribution system operator

A

Creates the database of info, entities within a mapped area - streets, fire hydrants, line segments, storage facilities, wells

35
Q

What are the 3 common types of maintenance

A

Corrective
Preventative
Predictive

36
Q

List the major elements of a good preventative maintenance program

A

*planning and scheduling
*records management
*spare parts management
*cost and budget control
*emergency repair procedures
*training program

37
Q

What are the 5 basic groups of components of a SCADA system

A

1) process instrumentation and control device in the field and acute equipment
2) input/output interface sends/receives data with process instead and control devices
3) CPU contains programming instructions for control system
4) communication interface
5) human machine interface

38
Q

How do SCADA system help operation and maintenance personnel

A

Helps them prepare daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance schedules; monitor spare parts inv; order additional spare parts; print out work orders; and record completed work assignments

39
Q

What do SCADA systems do with info that historically was recorded on paper strip-charts

A

Recorded and stored by computers info can be retrieved and reviewed easily computer systems are more efficient in providing operators with the info they need to make informed and timely decisions

40
Q

What water quality indicators can be easily monitored by a SCADA system

A

Turbidity
pH
Temp

41
Q

What is the greatest challenge for operators using SCADA systems

A

To realize that just because a computer says something, this does not mean that the computer is always correct

42
Q

Why is an effective cross-connection control program so essential

A

Contamination from unprotected cross-connection between public water system and consumers premises

Wastewater, storm water, processed waters, untreated supplies from private wells, streams, ocean waters

43
Q

Where does the water supplier’s responsibility for preventing contamination of the public water system begin, what does it include, and where does it end

A

Begins at source, includes distribution system, ends at the user’s connection

44
Q

What are the responsibility of the local or state health agency in connection with cross-connection control

A

Issuing and enforcing laws, rules, regulations, and policies needed to control cross-connections

Must have a program that ensures maintenance of adequate cross-connection control program

45
Q

What is the 1st step towards an effective contingency plan for emergencies

A

Each utility should make an assessment of its own vulnerability and then developed and implement a comprehensive plan of action

46
Q

Why is too detailed on emergency operation plan not needed or even desirable

A

All types of emergencies cannot be anticipated and a complex response program can be more confusing than helpful

47
Q

An emergency operation plan should include what specific information

A

*vulnerability assessment
*inventory organizational personnel
*provide for a recovery plan
*provide training for carrying out the plan
*coordinate with local agencies, health, fire; police, for carrying out the plan
*establish a communications procedure
*provide protection for personnel, plant equipment, records, and maps

48
Q

What are some actions that should be taken to reduce the possibility of a terrorist attack

A

*visitors sign in/out
*visitors to a minimum
*discourage parking near critical buildings
*suspicious of packages that arrive
*hazardous chem. and how to defend from spills
*emergency numbers near phones/radios
*patrol facilities frequently
*chem driver must have ID and manifest
*inspect PPE

49
Q

What are ways to guard against unplanned physical intrusion

A

*locks/alarms
*limit access to facilities/controls
*post guards, employee only signs
*increase lighting
*control access to computer/systems
*no keys left in vehicles
*use video surveillance

50
Q

How do you make security w priority for employees

A

*background checks
*develop security program with written plans
*employees aware of established procedures
*aware of importance/seriousness
*note unaccompanied strangers
*vary timing of procedures to prevent patterns
*changes codes upon termination
*training and checklists for handling phone treats

51
Q

How do you coordinate actions for effective emergency plans

A

*review existing plans
*employees have necessary training
*develop clear procedures etc…
*ensure key personnel have access to critical phone numbers
*develop close relations with local law enforcement
*report to county or state health officials any Illness that might be associated with water contaminants
*report crimes - law enforcement local FBI

52
Q

Which products are discussed in the EPA’s security product guides

A

Physical security - walls, gates, manhole locks

Electronic/cyber security - firewalls , remote monitoring

Monitoring tool to ID anomalies in process streams or finished water

53
Q

What are the local community demands on a utility manager

A

Want to protect their communities

*must also keep up with increasing stringent regulations and monitoring from regulatory agencies

54
Q

What has created changes in the environmental workplace

A

The workforce

Minorities, women, and people with disabilities provide new opportunities of growth

55
Q

What are the functions of a utility manager

A

Planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling

56
Q

In a small community, what does the community depend on the utility manager to do

A

Handle everything, person maybe the only one

57
Q

What must be included in utility planning

A

*Building the resources and financial growth
*Including industrial development
*Be ready to provide the water that will be needed by the community

58
Q

What is the purpose of an organizational plan

A

To show who reports to whom and to identify the lines of authority. Should show each person or job position In the organization with a direct line showing to whom each person reports i the organization

59
Q

Why is it sometimes difficult or uncomfortable for supervisors or managers to delegate effectively

A

It requires giving op power & responsibility

60
Q

What is an important and often overlooked part of delegation

A

The follow-up by the supervisor