MANATEE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS FIELD TECHNICIAN
CAREER LADDER TRAINING
GROWING OUR OWN
Presented by:
Danny SmithManatee County Public Works
Field Maintenance Division Manager
Manatee County Has…743 Square Miles360,000 Residents1361 Paved Centerline Miles80 Miles of Shell Road655 Miles of Roadside Ditch122 Miles of Stormwater Pipe88 DOT Bridges, 100+ Non Bridges
And adding more daily…
Manatee County Public Works
Field OperationsField Maintenance DivisionFleet Services DivisionFuel/Inventory DivisionTransit
Engineering ServicesHighway, Construction, Infrastructure, Utility EngineeringProject Management, Project Inspection
Traffic ManagementTraffic OperationsTransportation PlanningTraffic Design
Manatee County Field Maintenance Division
107 Full Time Employees (84 PWMTs)Road Maintenance Section
Road Surface, sidewalk, and ROW Maintenance50 employees
Drainage Maintenance SectionAll Stormwater Drainage MaintenanceCanals, Ditches, Pipes34 employees
Why a Career Ladder?Manatee County Public Works utilizes the Career Ladder as an effective tool for:
Planning, Budgeting and Documenting Employee TrainingIncreasing the retention rate of quality employeesBuilding Safety and Accountability into Job DutiesMaximizing Resources
We Have Always Done it This Way…In the Good Old Days…
Had 7 positions, we now have 1, with 4 steps, we have a single all encompassing position description Training was hit or miss, creating problems including subjective attendance selection and budgeting WAGsStruggled with longevity, good staff left, those that stayed were promoted, little incentive to consider a career Dealt with, “Not my Job”, “I’m an equipment Operator not a laborer”, “I haven’t been trained”
New Hire PlacementAll new employees start as a Public Works Maintenance Tech TraineeTech I training + 1 year = Tech 1Tech II training + 2 years = Tech IITech III training + 3 years = Tech IIITech III training + 5 year = Senior TechPrevious experience does count!
Besides the Title….Training is provided at no cost to the employeeEach step provides a 5% pay increase Each progressive step comes with more responsibility, expectation, and accountability
Maintenance & TrackingSupervisors are the primary “owners.” They:
Maintain a “training file” for each employee they supervise. The file tracks
Training CompletionNeedsRenewal / Refresher Dates (CDL,IMOT)
Conduct quarterly reviews with each employeeAre accountable for providing opportunity and awareness
How Does it Work?Four levels with progressively more technical training which consists of:
Class Room Based InstructionVideo Instruction (T2)Instructor led: IMOT, Confined SpaceNo Certificate, No Credit
Demonstration of ProficiencyTask and Equipment Operation OrientedHands OnTraining Time Provided and RequiredComplete Demonstration of Proficiency as DescribedIndependent Supervisor Validation Required
Independent Study – Senior Tech
Training ProvidersFlorida Transportation Technology Transfer (T²) CenterUniversity of Florida Mobile Video Training (MVT)Suncoast Public Works AcademyPinellas Technical CollegeManatee County, County Attorneys Office*Public Works Safety Officer (Internal)
Maintenance Technician LevelsSk
ill S
et
Leve
l
I
Skill
Set
Lev
el
II Skill
Set
Lev
el
III Skill
Set
Lev
el
Senior
Skill Set Level I
Safety, Safety, Safety for them and our equipment. Learn how to perform the basics
Rural Road Operations
Flagging
Urban Streets
Intersection WorkLow Speed StreetsPedestrian Safety
Skill Set Level IEquipment/Tool Concepts & Safety
Chainsaw Safety
Commercial Driver License (B) we provide training and internal testing…and we pay for it
Dump Truck Operation & Maintenance
Skill Set Level IDemonstration of Proficiency
Common ToolsGeneratorJack HammerCutoff SawTrash/Mudhog PumpsCement Mixer
Soil Compaction
Flatbed / Dump Truck Safe Operation
Skill Set Level IDemonstration of Proficiency
Chainsaw Operation
Determining and Donning PPE correctly
Locating Marked Utilities
Site Cleanup
Skill Set Level IIRequired Training
The Training Focuses On:Asphalt Pavement Repair
Asphalt Paving
Equipment Operation and Safety
Skill Set Level IIClassroom Training
Asphalt Surface TreatmentsAsphalt Paving and Compaction Equipment OperationSoil Stabilization in Clay SoilsPortland Cement Concrete FlatworkForklift Operation Safety
Skill Set Level IIEquipment/Tool Concepts and Safety
Backhoe/Loader Safety
Track Excavator Safety
Confined Space Certification
Front End Loader SafetySkid Steer Loader Safety
Skill Set Level IIDemonstration of Proficiency
Front End Loader-General
Levels and Lasers - Establish Grade
Brush Chipper
Confined Space Equipment
Skill Set Level IIDemonstration of Proficiency
Sod Placement/Staking
Silt Fence Installation
Requesting Utility Locates
Building Concrete Forms for Flat WorkInstalling Rip Rap
Skill Set Level IIITraining Skilled Labor:
Structure and Asset Repair
Drainage Operations/Erosion Control
Equipment Operation and Safety
Skill Set Level IIIClassroom Training
Right of Way Mowing SafetyShoulder and Roadside Ditch MaintenanceGuardrail InstallationFDOT MOT Intermediate Level Training and Certification (IMOT)Reinforced Portland Cement Concrete InspectionStormwater Pipe Installation
Skill Set Level IIIDemonstration of Proficiency
Jet Vac-Flusher Trucks or
Street Sweepers or
Flexwing Mower or
Boom Mower
Skill Set Level IIIDemonstration of Proficiency
Installation of Catch BasinsForm/Pour/Finish Mitered HeadwallsForm/Pour/Finish Driveway Aprons and Sidewalk Sections
Skill Set Level IIIDemonstration of Proficiency
Installation of Guardrail
Placement and Removal of Stormwater Pipe
Backhoe (Rubber Tire) OR
Walking Excavator MENZI MUCK
Skill Set Level SeniorClassroom Training
Learning to be the Lead:Soils: Erosion and Stabilization
Legal ConcernsAdministrative ResponsibilitiesProject / Event Management
Skill Set Level SeniorRequired Training
FEMA IS-100
FEMA IS-200
FEMA IS-700
HAZMAT Endorsement **
Trenching and Shoring
Skill Set Level SeniorRequired Training
FDEP Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector Certification
Graded Road Maintenance, 80+ miles of shell roads !
Tort Liability – Field Responsibility
Skill Set Level SeniorDemonstration of Proficiency
Rubber Tire Excavator (Gradall) OR
Track Excavator
Forming/Pouring/Finishing Miami & “F” Curbing or Structures
Assessment of Drainage Problems
Skill Set Level SeniorDemonstration of Proficiency
Drainage Box Repair & Maintenance
Grading Ditches and Canals
Set-Up and Breakdown of MOTCave-In Diagnosis and Repair
Skill Set Level SeniorDemonstration of Proficiency
Capstone Project - Administrative and Computer Application
Incident and Accident Reporting – Following County Procedure
Using Historical and Geographic Information to plan work, verify ownership. Locate, Interpret, and Use (Maps & Plats)
Maintenance Project Estimating Incorporate MOT, Drainage Assessment and other proficiencies into project. Comprehensive
How do we benefit?Ease of Planning and Budgeting, we know what is needed and have a planLarge Classes, Training comes to usParticipation in all training is mandatory, employees are trained and capableThe Division only has Maintenance Techs, elimination of specialized positions, i.e. Equipment OperatorsSuccession Plan that HR does not realize is a Succession PlanRelatively low cost program, excluding pay increases, < $2000/employee over a 5 year period.
How does Staff Benefit“Light at the end of Tunnel” for field staff, no longer a dead end job
5% step increase for each level completed. This is not budget constrained and not tied to any Market Adjustment or Performance Based Increase. Employee has the opportunity for a 20% pay increase in 5 years.
Relevant and Valuable Training at no cost to them
Opportunity to Showcase themselves and their skills
What’s Next?
Evaluate ProgramIs offered training still relevant and applicable?
HAZMAT Endorsement or OSHA 10 Hour?
Does the order of training need to change, IMOT at Trainee Level? Loader Training and Proficiency to Tech I?
Can we do it at a lower cost?