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Program Structure

Background
The Plant Maintenance Certificate Program combines the Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist and Mechanical Technologist vocations at the entry and the administrative/manager levels. At these levels, certificate candidates are expected to have some technical knowledge of both vocations. The level of technical knowledge for each of these grade levels is outlined in the sections explaining qualifications for Plant Maintenance Grade I and Grade IV.

Plant Maintenance Grade levels II and III are composed of separate Electrical/Instrumentation and Mechanical Technologist certifications. The level of technical expertise at these levels are more specialized than at the Grade I and Grade IV levels.

The Plant Maintenance Program structure is based on the same research and job analyses that are the basis of the test design. After analyzing job specifications at many agencies, and working with the feedback from professionals in the field, it was determined that the Electrical/Instrumentation and Mechanical Technologist certifications should be merged into a single Plant Maintenance occupational group.

Hierarchical Levels
The figure below diagrams the program structure. At the entry level is Plant maintenance Grade 1. This entry-level certification is designed to measure competence as a general plant maintenance worker. Grade I Plant Maintenance Technologists are expected to be able to assist either mechanical maintenance or electrical/instrumentation specialists performing fundamental duties. Certificate candidates should be familiar with the basic mechanical and electrical/instrumentation principles and duties listed in the Grade I Plant Maintenance Technologist section of this handbook.

Grade II and III are specialist levels where candidates may choose to demonstrate their competency in either electrical/instrumentation technology, mechanical technology, or both. At these levels candidates are expected to have a wide range of knowledge within their specialty. Many candidates find that the scope of knowledge required for successful completion of the test is beyond that utilized on a daily basis at their own workplace. Certificate holders are expected to demonstrate a wide range of knowledge, skills, and abilities because they should be able to perform the essential duties of mechanical technologists or electric/instrumentation technologists at any water or wastewater agency.

Grade IV is designed for managerial level personnel involved with plant maintenance. Certified individuals at this level are expected to demonstrate competency as managers of plant maintenance operations. Qualified candidates should be able to demonstrate the managerial functions, as outlined in the Grade IV Plant Maintenance section of this handbook as well as the ability to understand and make managerial level decisions regarding electrical/instrumentation and mechanical technology issues. Thus, Grade IV candidates should have a technical background in electrical/instrumentation and/or mechanical technology.

Certificates Issued Before July 1998
If you hold any valid Mechanical Technologist or Electrical/Instrumentation certificate issued before July 1998, you may continue to do so as long as you continue to renew annually. CWEA recognizes the following equivalencies:

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