Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Water Quality Technician
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

College Credit Certificate	
CIP Number	0703010404	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	12 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Environmental Science Technology AS degree program (1703010401).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to analysis and dispensing of water in accordance with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and regulations.  The certificate will cover industry standards such as those included in the Clean Water Act.  Graduates of this certificate program should be able to research applicable local, state, and federal regulations and implement methods and strategies to ensure compliance; to maintain records as required by OSHA, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and to control the process to transfer or treat water or liquid waste. 

This program does not prepare individuals for the D, C, B or A level of Water or Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator Certification as those requirements are outlined in Department of Environmental Protection Rule 62-602. 

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.
Program Structure    

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 12 credit hours.

When developing the course sequence for the local implementation of this program, select courses that:
•	Meet the skill development requirements of the standards and benchmarks of this program.
•	Where reasonable and practicable, align with programs offered by your institution or other postsecondary institutions in Florida, including: 
o	Related AS and AAS degrees.
o	Baccalaureate degrees within the same career pathway and/or Federal CIP code.

Visit FloridaShines’ Discover Programs website to identify other institutions that offer similar programs to review their course sequencing. Where appropriate, course alignment between institutions offering related programs can facilitate interagency student articulation.

Visit FloridaShines’ Common Prerequisites Manual to identify courses that are prerequisites for admission into an upper division program.  When sub-baccalaureate courses are aligned to the course admissions requirements of baccalaureate programs with the same career pathway, students can enter upper division coursework seamlessly.   

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of managing water pollution through prevention and remediation.
02.0	Operate and calibrate laboratory and field instruments used in quantitative and qualitative analysis of pollutants. 
03.0	Sample, analyze and calculate data related to air, water and soil pollutants. 
04.0	Demonstrate an awareness of solid waste, the problems engendered by solid waste accumulation and disposal and solutions to those problems. 
05.0	Demonstrate employability skills.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Water Quality Technician
CIP Number:	0703010404
Program Length:	12 credit hours

This certificate program is part of the Environmental Science Technology AS degree program (1703010401).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of managing water pollution through prevention and remediation. The student will be able to: 	
01.01	Determine chemical and physical properties of surface water and groundwater.	
01.02	Describe microbial systems related to water pollution. 	
01.03	Describe surface water, groundwater systems, hydrologic cycle, potable water, and wastewater treatment processes. 	
01.04	Identify types and sources of surface water and groundwater contamination. 	
01.05	Describe legal aspects, laws, rules, and consequences related to surface and groundwater pollution. 	
01.06	Collect water samples for field and laboratory analysis. 	
01.07	Identify the water quality standards for effluent from domestic and various industrial wastewater facilities. 	
01.08	Describe ambient water quality criteria.	
01.09	Demonstrate the technology and methods applied to non-point source pollution control (stormwater and agriculture runoff).	
02.0	Operate and calibrate laboratory and field instruments used in quantitative and qualitative analysis of pollutants. The student will be able to: 	
02.01	Demonstrate knowledge of basic laboratory operation. 	
02.02	Operate and calibrate selected laboratory instruments. 	
02.03	Operate and calibrate selected field instruments and equipment.	
03.0	Sample, analyze and calculate data related to air, water and soil pollutants. The student will be able to: 	
03.01	Gather and analyze selected samples. 	
03.02	Manipulate data and reach confident conclusions. 	
03.03	Write formal technical reports. 	
03.04	Identify and perform the correct analysis for selected parameters listed with state and federal regulations for wastewater effluent, surface water and groundwater.	
04.0	Demonstrate an awareness of solid waste, the problems engendered by solid waste accumulation and disposal and solutions to those problems. The student will be able to: 	
04.01	Discuss the possibilities of contaminates (leachates) seeping into the groundwater.	
04.02	Discuss the purpose for installing monitoring wells located around a sanitary landfill.	
05.0	Demonstrate employability skills. The student will be able to: 	
05.01	Conduct a job search. 	
05.02	Secure information about a job. 	
05.03	Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job. 	
05.04	Complete a job application. 	
05.05	Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques. 	
05.06	Identify or demonstrate appropriate responses to criticism from employer, supervisor, or other persons. 	
05.07	Identify acceptable work habits. 	
05.08	Demonstrate knowledge of how to make job changes appropriately. 	
05.09	Demonstrate acceptable employee health habits and safety skills.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

Planned and supervised occupational activities may be provided through directed laboratory experience, practicum or cooperative experience.  Whenever the cooperative method is offered, the following is required for each student:  (1) a training plan signed by the student, the instructor and the employer which includes instructional objectives and a list of on-the-job and in-school learning experiences; and (2) a work station which reflects equipment, skills, and tasks relevant to the student’s career goal.  Students must receive compensation for work performed. 

In accordance with State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.0315, minimum basic skill levels have been established for admittance into a college associate degree program. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.