HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.c. Recap of Central San's 2023 Externship ProgramPage 1 of 12
Item 4.c.
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May 2, 2023
TO: ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
FROM: CHRISTINA GEE, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
REVIEWED BY: TEJI O'MALLEY, HUMAN RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE RECAP OF CENTRAL SAN'S 2023 EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Please see the attached memo for a recap of Central San's 2023 Externship Program.
Strategic Plan Tie -In
GOAL ONE: Customer and Community
Strategy 1— Deliver high -quality customer service, Strategy 3 - Build neighborhood and industry relations
GOAL TWO: Environmental Stewardship
Strategy 2 - Educate on pollution prevention and environmental protection
GOAL THREE: Workforce Diversity and Development
Strategy 1 - Recruit from a diverse pool of qualified applicants
GOAL FOUR: Governance and Fiscal Responsibility
Strategy 2 - Encourage and facilitate public participation
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum
2. Presentation
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 51 of 84
Page 2 of 12
AN Ll ATTACHMENT 1
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
SANITARY DISTRICT
May 2, 2023
TO: ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
VIA: TEJI O'MALLEY, HUMAN RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
FROM: CHRISTINA GEE, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
SUBJECT: RECAP OF 2023 EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
In 2021, Central San developed and implemented its first Externship Program, to
perform outreach to college students and recent graduates with the following objectives:
to share an insider look at multiple career paths in the wastewater industry and local
government, create networking opportunities for the externs and staff, build awareness
for Central San's environmental messages and existence as an employer of choice,
expand the externs' general knowledge, and give them tips on how to get a job at an
agency like Central San. The inaugural 2021 program and the 2022 program were both
hosted online, and Central San hosted 67 externs total through this virtual format (45 in
2021 and 22 in 2022).
In 2023, Central San offered the Externship Program for the first time on site at its
Martinez headquarters. This was an opportunity to meet the externs in person and be
able to convey the magnitude of Central San's operations. The program took place from
Monday, March 27 to Friday, March 31, every day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a
one -hour lunch break.
Curriculum
The week was designed to cover every division at Central San and was organized as
follows:
• About Central San (3/27)
• Operations (3/28)
• Engineering (3/29)
• Administration and Resource Recovery (3/30)
• Environmental Protection and Wrap-up (3/31)
In addition to informative and interesting PowerPoints, presentations included tours of
the Treatment Plant, Laboratory, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
(HHWCF), and Recycled Water Residential Fill Station; a show and tell of Collection
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 52 of 84
Page 3 of 12
Central San
Recap of 2023 Externship Program
Page 2 of 5
System Operations (CSO)'s trucks and tools; a visit to the Machine Shop, Lubrication
Room, and Mechanical Shop; a field trip to the Filter Plant and Clearwell Improvements
construction site; a virtual tour of the Tertiary Membrane Filtration Pilot tent; and a Toot
the Toilet student education activity. Throughout the week, staff delivered motivating
and lively verbal presentations, speaking candidly about their career path, what they
enjoy about their chosen jobs, and offering general advice for those considering a future
in wastewater or government.
Externs
When the program was announced in late January, there were 163 potential externs on
the "waiting list": 67 who attended the 2021 and 2022 virtual programs, 83 who applied
for the past sessions but did not attend, and 13 who joined the mailing list after the
conclusion of the 2022 session. Following the announcement and advertisement of the
2023 program, 28 students and recent graduates applied specifically for this session. In
the end, six externs attended the program. Additionally, one extern's brother (a former
temporary employee in Buildings and Grounds) attended the treatment plant tour. It is
likely that many who were initially interested in the program could not secure housing or
logistics to attend in person. Some also dropped out due to illnesses or family
emergencies.
Below is a look at the background of the six externs:
City of
School
Major
Academic
What would you like to learn
Residence
Standing
and is there anything you'd
like to share?
Castro
Castro
Wastewater
Graduated
Plant systems operations. I'm
Valley
Valley Adult
Operations
more than
currently trying to get my OIT
School
one year
hours for my grade 1.
ago
American
University of
Environmental
Senior
I am most interested in
Canyon
California,
Engineering
engineering projects and water
Merced
waste management. I would like
to learn more about resource
recovery and planning and
development and how sanitary
districts are operated.
Oakley
Los
Electrical
Junior
Medanos
Technology
Merced
University of
Environmental
Junior
I would like to learn more about
California,
Science
architecture and city planning. To
Merced
System
be transparent, I would like to be
as well rounded as I could, I want
to learn everything about
everything.
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 53 of 84
Page 4 of 12
Central San
Recap of 2023 Externship Program
Page 3 of 5
Antioch
University of
California,
Merced
Chemistry
Sophomore
I'm a 2nd year Chemistry who
last summer interned 9 weeks in
an inorganic laboratory
environment. So, I am very much
interested in laboratory and
chemistryopportunities.
Pleasanton
University of
Bioengineering
Sophomore
As a Bioengineering student, I'm
California,
passionate about both
Merced
engineering and the natural
sciences, so I would love to have
a role in anything related to
engineering or laboratory work. I
believe this externship would be
a great opportunity to improve
my technical and problem -solving
skills, and will give me valuable
hands-on experience that will
contribute to my growth as an
engineer.
Feedback
Below are excerpts from the surveys filled out by the externs after each session.
• I'm going to consider a career in either wastewater engineering or bioengineering
applied for wastewater now.
• Getting to go inside a recycled water tank that was being constructed [was the
most memorable moment]. It was surprisingly complex inside.
• [The program] has given me a good outlook on how different plants operate. The
collection team seems very interesting.
• My favorite tour was the engineering tour. I wish we could go to the top of the
water tank.
• 1 will look into internship opportunities at Central San and consider it as a
potential career path.
Future Session
The past two Externship Programs were able to reach a broad audience via its virtual
format. For the next Externship Program, likely in 2024, staff is considering offering the
program in a hybrid format, with virtual presentations and one to two days on site for
tours. For the in -person portions, there can be more opportunities for learning,
engagement, and group bonding.
There was some inclement weather during the program this year which necessitated
shuffling the curriculum, but that may not be helped as the program is typically timed
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 54 of 84
Page 5 of 12
Central San
Recap of 2023 Externship Program
Page 4 of 5
concurrently with the University of California system spring break. Staff was flexible this
year with swapping their presentations to accommodate the unpredictable weather.
One of the goals of the program is to enlighten externs to new career paths they may
not have considered before, but, from the survey feedback, it may be the case that time
could be better spent delving deeper into careers that the externs are already interested
in, unless there are externs in the group who are undecided.
Acknowledgments
Central San's third Externship Program would not have been possible without the
participation of 52 Central San staff from all over the organization who took the time to
prepare unique and engaging presentations and tailor them to the externs' interests. It is
because of them that the program was so impactful and successful.
The presenters included myself and the following staff, in order of presentation:
• Roger S. Bailey, General Manager
• Phil Leiber, Director of Finance and Administration
• Danea Gemmell, Planning and Development Services Division Manager
(Provisional Director of Engineering and Technical Services at the time)
• Paul Seitz, CSO Division Manager (Provisional Director of Operations at the
time)
• Alan Weer, Plant Operations Division Manager
• Ben Lavender, Community Affairs Representative
• Ed Silva, CSO Maintenance Supervisor
• Paul Amaral, CSO Lead Maintenance Crew Member
• Kevin Kirby, CSO Lead Maintenance Crew Member
• Loren Reimer, CSO Lead Maintenance Crew Member
• Charles Curiel, CSO Maintenance Crew Member II
• Andrew Walus, CSO Maintenance Crew Member II
• Nate Morales, Senior Engineer, Operations Optimizations
• Ian "Max" Campbell, Plant Operator II
• Clint Shima, Senior Engineer, Reliability Engineering
• Jon Nicolaus, Superintendent, Operations and Maintenance
• Steve Diethelm, Utility Systems Engineer
• Zachary Lee, Associate Engineer, Reliability Engineering
• Bill Bowers, Maintenance Supervisor, Machine Shop
• David Wellner, Maintenance Planner
• Bernard Martinez, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
• Shaun Mockel, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
• Kenny Rosenstiel, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
• Trevor Smith, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
• Brian Walters, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 55 of 84
Page 6 of 12
Central San
Recap of 2023 Externship Program
Page 5 of 5
• Bibiano Victoria, Mechanical Intern
• Brian Rivera, Temporary Maintenance Technician / Former Intern
• Bennie Huie, Mechanical Intern
• Alejandro Lanza, Staff Engineer, Reliability Engineering / Former Intern
• Nitin Goel, Operations Optimization Manager
• Michael Cunningham, Associate Engineer, Operations Optimization
• Khae Bohan, Asset Management Program Administrator
• Ian Morales, GIS Analyst
• Nate Hodges, Senior Engineer, Special Projects, Capital Projects
• Melody LaBella, Resource Recovery Program Manager
• Charles Mallory, Information Technology Manager
• Matt Hart, System Administrator (now Cybersecurity Analyst)
• Dan Frost, Senior Engineer, Planning and Applied Research
• Teji O'Malley, Human Resources and Organizational Development Manager
• Katie Young, Secretary of the District
• Kevin Mizuno, Finance Manager
• Warren Gaines, Materials Services Supervisor
• Emily Barnett, Communication Services and Government Relations Manager
• Craig Mizutani, Senior Engineer, Capital Projects
• Cassie Butler, Assistant Engineer, Capital Projects
• Rita Cheng, Senior Engineer, Regulatory Compliance
• Colleen Henry, Senior Environmental Compliance Inspector
• Justine Gleason, Chemist II
• Jesse McDermott, Chemist II
• Winston Ingram, Senior HHW Technician
• Geoff Niswander, Senior HHW Technician
• Elizabeth Toups, BAYWORK Manager
Thank you also to Joy Smith, Administrative Services Assistant, for supporting the
program and to Joseph Zumbo, Digital Media Content Specialist, and Sarah Walker,
Communications Intern, for photographing throughout the week.
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 56 of 84
Page 7 of 12
ATTACHMENT 2
Externship Program
Developed and launched in 2021 I 1
Held virtually in 2021 and 2022 ;
67 externs hosted from all over the country
and world in 2021 and 2022
Objectives
Share an insider look at multiple career paths
in the water/wastewater industry and local
government
Create networking opportunities for the
externs and staff �.
Build awareness for Central San's
environmental messages and existence as an
employer of choice
17-
Expand externs' general knowledge f
Give tips on how to get a job at an agency like
Central San
_. uW -
I
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 57 of 84
Page 8 of 12
Interest in the Program
— 163 people on the "waiting list"
• 67 who attended the 2021 and 2022 virtual programs
• 83 who applied for the 2021 and 2022 sessions
• 13 who joined the mailing list between the 2022 session and the
announcement of the 2023 session
28 students and recent graduates applied for the 2023 session
6 externs attended I All.
Background of Externs
City of Residence
School
Major
Academic Standing
What would you like to learn and is there anything you'd like to
share?
Castro Valley
Castro Valley Adult
Wastewater Operations
Graduated more than one
Plant systems operations. I'm currently trying to get my OIT hours for
School
yearago
my grade1.
American Canyon
University of California,
Environmental Engineering
Senior
I am most interested in engineering projects and water waste
Merced
management. I would like to learn more about resource recovery
and planning and development and how sanitary districts are
operated.
Oakley
Los Medanos
Electrical Technology
Junior
Merced
University of California,
Environmental Science
Junior
I would like to learn more about architecture and city planning. To
Merced
System
be transparent, I would like to be as well rounded as I could, I want
to learn everything about everything.
Antioch
University of California,
Chemistry
Sophomore
I'm a 2nd year Chemistry who last summer interned 9 weeks in an
Merced
inorganic laboratory environment. So, I am very much interested in
laboratory and chemistry opportunities.
Pleasanton
University of California,
Bioengineering
Sophomore
As a Bioengineering student, I'm passionate about both engineering
Merced
and the natural sciences, so I would love to have a role in anything
related to engineering or laboratory work. I believe this externship
would be a great opportunity to improve my technical and problem -
solving skills, and will give me valuable hands-on experience that will
contribute to my growth as an engineer.
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 58 of 84 2
Page 9 of 12
Curriculum
5 total 5-hour sessions
(10 am - 3 pm Monday through Friday)
with 1-hour lunch break
About Central San (3/27)
Operations (3/28)
Engineering (3/29)
Administration and
Resource Recovery (3/30)
Environmental Protection
and Wrap-up (3/31)
5
Most Impactful Activities
Treatment Plant tour
Collection System Operations trucks and
tools
Touring the Machine and Mechanical Shops
Visit to Filter Plant and Clearwell
Improvements construction site
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Facility (HHWCF) presentation and tour
BAYWORK presentation
[".
Ll
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 59 of 84 3
Page 10 of 12
Potential Improvements
for Next Session
Present virtually with 1-2 days on site
i
Tailor presentations to the majors in the
group
Avoid inclement weather when possible
When in person
More opportunities for learning and
engagement and group bonding
More tours and activities
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 60 of 84 4
Page 11 of 12
Thank You to...
The Board of Directors
Teji O'Malley, Human Resources and
Organizational Development Manager
Roger S. Bailey, General Manager
The Executive Team
Joy Smith, Administrative Services Assistant
Joseph Zumbo, Digital Media Content Specialist
Sarah Walker, Communications Intern
E
... and to the Presenters:
• Roger S. Bailey, General Manager
• Phil Leiber, Director of Finance and Administration
• Danea Gemmell, Planning and Development Services Division Manager
• Paul Seitz, CSO Division Manager
• Alan Weer, Plant Operations Division Manager
• Ben Lavender, Community Affairs Representative
• Ed Silva, CSO Maintenance Supervisor
• Paul Amaral, CSO Lead Maintenance Crew Member
• Kevin Kirby, CSO Lead Maintenance Crew Member
• Loren Reimer, CSO Lead Maintenance Crew Member
• Charles Curiel, CSO Maintenance Crew Member II
• Andrew Walus, CSO Maintenance Crew Member II
• Nate Morales, Senior Engineer, Operations Optimizations (Control Systems)
• Ian "Max" Campbell, Plant Operator II
• Clint Shima, Senior Engineer, Reliability Engineering
• Jon Nicolaus, Superintendent, Operations and Maintenance
• Steve Diethelm, Utility Systems Engineer
• Zachary Lee, Associate Engineer, Reliability Engineering
• Bill Bowers, Maintenance Supervisor, Machine Shop
• David Wellner, Maintenance Planner
• Bernard Martinez, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
W11
• Shaun Mockel, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
• Kenny Rosenstiel, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
• Trevor Smith, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
• Brian Walters, Lead Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop
• Bibiano Victoria, Mechanical Intern
• Brian Rivera, Temporary Maintenance Technician / Former Intern
• Bennie Huie, Mechanical Intern
• Alejandro Lanza, Staff Engineer, Reliability Engineering/ Former Intern
• Nitin Goel, Operations Optimization Manager
• Michael Cunningham, Associate Engineer, Operations Optimization
• Khae Bohan, Asset Management Program Administrator
• Ian Morales, GIS Analyst
• Nate Hodges, Senior Engineer, Special Projects, Capital Projects
• Melody LaBella, Resource Recovery Program Manager
• Charles Mallory, Information Technology Manager
• Matt Hart, System Administrator(now Cybersecurity Analyst)
• Dan Frost, Senior Engineer, Planning and Applied Research
• Teji O'Malley, Human Resources and Organizational Development Manager
• Katie Young, Secretary of the District
• Kevin Mizuno, Finance Manager
• Warren Gaines, Materials Services Supervisor
• Emily Barnett, Communication Services and Government Relations Manager
• Craig Mizutani, Senior Engineer, Capital Projects
• Cassie Butler, Assistant Engineer, Capital Projects
• Rita Cheng, Senior Engineer, Regulatory Compliance
• Colleen Henry, Senior Environmental Compliance Inspector
• Justine Gleason, Chemist II
• Jesse McDermott, Chemist II
• Winston Ingram, Senior HHW Technician
• Geoff Niswander, Senior HHW Technician
• Elizabeth Toups, BAYWORK Manager odd
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 61 of 84 5
Page 12 of 12
Questions?
11
'y` 1
May 2, 2023 Regular ADMIN Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 62 of 84 6