Accreditation Council
The council reviews results of the site accreditation team's findings of public works agencies' applications for accreditation and determines accreditation status. It is comprised of public works professionals and members of allied professions such as city/county management, government finance, law, public administration, human resource management, planning, and others involved in administration of local, regional, state, provincial and federal government agencies. A minimum of four voting members shall be from an Accredited Agency. The Council meets face-to-face at PWX each year, other meetings may be held by conference call. Balloting is conducted by email with a short-turn-around time. Members of the council may not serve as accreditation or re-accreditation site evaluators during their term on the Council.
The ideal candidate would come from an agency accredited through the APWA Accreditation Program. This person would have been involved in the accreditation process for their agency and have knowledge of the Public Works Management Practices Manual.
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Audit Committee
The committee is responsible for the selection, compensation, and oversight of the APWA auditing firm as well as review of the annual audit reports. The Audit Committee holds up to three conference call meetings per year, depending on requests of the audit firm prior to, during or post audit fieldwork; whether any management letter comments and/or findings are noted by the audit firm which require corrective action, and the audit firm selection cycle.
The ideal candidate will have served as a Chapter Treasurer and/or have accounting experience.
Awards Committee
The committee reviews all awards other than Top Ten Leaders of the Year, Project of the Year, Manager of the Year, Excellence in Snow and Ice and PACE awards, and selects recipients according to established criteria. The Awards Committee holds one conference call meeting of approximately two hours in length in the spring, and may require 12 to 14 hours of reviewing documents prior to the call.
The ideal candidate would have served on the awards committee at the chapter level or have prepared nominations for awards.
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Awards Committee: Project of the Year Awards
The committee reviews nominations for the Public Works Project of the Year Awards and selects recipients according to established criteria. The committee is divided into four groups of five members. Each group contributes 15-20 hours for reviewing their section of the submitted projects, plus participates in one conference call meeting lasting approximately one hour.
The ideal candidate would have served on the awards committee at the chapter level or have prepared nominations for awards.
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Awards Committee: Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Award
Comprised of five members who are Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year recipients from previous years, the Committee reviews nominations for the Top Ten Leaders of the Year award and selects recipients according to established criteria. The Committee holds one conference call meeting, of approximately one-hour duration, in the spring and members contribute eight to ten hours time for review of documents prior to the call.
All candidates must be previous Top 10 Public Works Leader Award recipients.
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Canadian Public Works Association
The CPWA Board of Directors (CPWA) has responsibility for identifying, drafting, and leading the promotion of CPWA’s public policy priorities to Members of Parliament, the Senate of Canada, and federal departments. The CPWA drafts public policy priorities for each annual budget cycle that are representative of the priorities of APWA’s broad membership in Canada. CPWA Directors are expected to have direct experience and interest in at least one of CPWA’s public policy priority areas (Asset Management, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management, Engineering and Technology, Transportation, Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way, and Water/Environmental Management) and to actively contribute to the development and advocacy of CPWA’s public policy priorities.
CPWA Directors consistently participate in monthly conference calls and attend the CPWA’s two annual face-to-face meetings – the spring meeting in Ottawa, ON, and the fall meeting at PWX. During the Ottawa meeting, CPWA Directors meet with key Members of Parliament, Senators, and officials from federal departments. CPWA Directors also work within their chapters to promote advocacy as an organizational priority, as well as CPWA’s public policy priorities.
The ideal candidate must have a pride in public works as a profession and a passion for representing, and advocating for, public works – both broad (e.g. infrastructure funding) and specific (e.g. barriers to mutual aid) – of Canadian members of APWA; direct experience and interest in at least one of CPWA’s public policy priority areas; acquaintance with public works and infrastructure issues at the federal, provincial, territorial and/or municipal level; awareness of federal policies and programs that impact public works; and participation in advocacy and outreach efforts – ideally regarding public works and infrastructure – at the local, provincial/territorial, and/or federal level. Involvement with the advocacy efforts of his/her chapter is ideal, but involvement with the advocacy efforts of another association is also beneficial.
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Center for Sustainability Leadership Group
The Center’s Leadership Group oversees and leads the APWA Center for Sustainability (C4S) as it develops programs and activities to support sustainability in public works. Center leaders meet monthly by conference call and are also asked to serve as liaison to another APWA technical or standing committee. Two face-to-face meetings are held annually- a 1 1/2 day meeting in winter/spring, and a meeting held at PWX. Center leaders are involved in Center projects, with most work being accomplished by conference calls and online document review.
The ideal candidate has direct experience or interest in areas related to sustainability in public works; experience in sustainability areas that fall outside APWA’s technical committee focus areas (e.g. climate adaptation, carbon accounting, social equity, workplace safety, community health and engagement, etc.) is preferable; maintains a sustainability-related credential(s), such as ENV-SP, LEED AP, STP, etc. – and/or has experience using rating/certification system(s) such as Envision, LEED for New Construction, LEED for Cities, Greenroads, STAR Communities, etc.; is familiar with trends, best practices, innovations, and new technologies related to sustainability, particularly when implemented by and/or coordinated with public works; or is involved with the sustainability committee of his/her chapter or the sustainability efforts of other associations at the local, regional or national level.
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Certification Commission
The Certification Commission defines and governs APWA’s certification activities, which include establishing the governing rules and regulations related to APWA’s certification system, providing executive oversight for the programs, interpreting the rules and regulations of the programs, and other related responsibilities pertaining to the certification programs as needed.
Voting members of the Commission include a CPFP Council representative, a CPII Council representative, a CSM Council representative, a CPWP Council representative, a Fleet Services Committee member, an Engineering & Technology Committee member, a Water Resource Management Committee member, a Leadership & Management Committee member, and three APWA members that represent the general public. The Council typically conducts one face-to-face meeting at PWX. The ideal candidate for the general APWA member position should have a solid overall understanding of public works and be a willing advocate for the interests of the general public.
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Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII) Certification Council
The purpose of the Public Infrastructure Inspector Certification is to promote quality infrastructure throughout the community by advancing the knowledge and practice of construction inspection to benefit the community and public agencies. The Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector certification program is intended for individuals who inspect the construction of public infrastructure (e.g., roadways, highways, utilities, bridges, dams) and facilities (e.g., pump stations, treatment plants, water storage facilities) and other types of construction work and materials to ensure compliance with plans and specifications. Duties may include observation, measurement, testing, and documentation.
The APWA President-Elect shall appoint up to six voting members including the Chair. Council members serve a two-year term and may be appointed for up to three consecutive two-year terms. The qualification basis for appointment to this Council is to be an active CPII in good standing and be a “highly knowledgeable” subject matter expert in the specific area of Council responsibility with diversity of technical background, experience, and geographic location.
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Certified Public Fleet Professional (CPFP) Certification Council
The mission of the Certified Public Fleet Professional (CPFP) credential is to promote excellence in fleet management by advancing the knowledge and practice of public fleet professionals to benefit communities through quality fleet services. The CPFP credential recognizes the seasoned, career government public fleet manager, and those with experience in the field who are interested in a credential that will promote a career in public fleet management.
The APWA President-Elect shall appoint up to six voting members including the Chair. Council members serve a two-year term and may be appointed for up to three consecutive two-year terms. The qualification basis for appointment to this Council is to be an active CPFP in good standing and be a “highly knowledgeable” subject matter expert in the specific area of Council responsibility with diversity of technical background, experience, and geographic location.
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Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM) Certification Council
The mission of the Certified Stormwater Manager credential is to promote excellence and commitment to public service by advancing the knowledge and practice of stormwater management to benefit the community, public agencies, and the profession. The Stormwater Manager Certification recognizes experts in the public and private sectors who coordinate and implement stormwater management programs for city, county, state, provincial, and federal agencies. These individuals assist in administering drainage, flood control, and water quality programs. Water quality programs include state and federal permit requirements related to stormwater runoff, including management of public education, illicit discharges, erosion control, post-development runoff BMP’s, system maintenance, water quality monitoring, data analysis, and reporting. Drainage and flood control programs include operational maintenance of drainage systems, planning and construction of capital improvements, and basic knowledge of floodplain management.
The APWA President-Elect shall appoint up to six voting members including the Chair. Council members serve a two-year term and may be appointed for up to three consecutive two-year terms. The qualification basis for appointment to this Council is to be an active CSM in good standing and be a “highly knowledgeable” subject matter expert in the specific area of Council responsibility with diversity of technical background, experience, and geographic location.
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