Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

The standards and benchmarks for this program were updated for the 2026-27 academic year.

Program Title: 	Public Works
Program Type: 	Career Preparatory
Career Cluster: 	Government and Public Administration

Career Certificate Program	
Program Number	I470304	
CIP Number	0615050600	
Grade Level	30, 31	
Program Length	450 hours	
Teacher Certification	Refer to the Program Structure section.	
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	
Basic Skills Level	Computation (Mathematics):	9	Communications (Reading and Language Arts):	9	

Purpose

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 Government and Public Administration 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 Government and Public Administration career cluster. 

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 one core and three occupational completion points.

This program is comprised of courses which have been assigned course numbers in the SCNS (Statewide Course Numbering System) in accordance with Section 1007.24 (1), F.S. Career and Technical credit shall be awarded to the student on a transcript in accordance with Section 1001.44(3)(b), F.S.

To teach the courses listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.

The following table illustrates the postsecondary program structure:

OCP	Course Number	Course Title	Teacher Certification	Length	
A	ETC0003	Public Works Cadet 1 (Core)	ANY VOC FIELD OR COVERAGE	150 hours	
B	ETC0004	Public Works Cadet 2		150 hours	
C	ETC0005	Public Works Cadet 3		150 hours	

 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	Identify requirements for orientation and safety.
02.0	Identify tools/equipment used in public works.
03.0	Describe basic elements in water treatment.
04.0	Describe basic elements in water distribution.
05.0	Describe basic elements in wastewater treatment.
06.0	Identify basic elements in wastewater collections.
07.0	Identify basic elements in storm water system.
08.0	Identify basic elements in equipment maintenance.
09.0	Identify basic elements in technical design and drafting.
10.0	Describe basic elements in solid waste disposal.
11.0	Identify basic elements in parks, buildings and grounds.
12.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
13.0	Operate computer, using software.
14.0	Identify basic elements in utility locations.
15.0	Identify basic elements in equipment operations.
16.0	Identify basic elements in traffic operations.
17.0	Identify basic elements in public work requiring people skills.
18.0	Describe basic elements in the gas industry.
19.0	Prepare for commercial driving license.
20.0	Describe the importance of professional ethics and legal responsibilities.
21.0	Perform designated job skills.

22.0	

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title: 	Public Works 
Career Certificate Program Number: 	I470304

Course Number: ETC0003
Occupational Completion Point: A 
Public Works Cadet 1 (Core) – 150 hours 	
01.0	Identify the Public Works Program, as well as its procedures, rules for personal and environmental safety, and standards of behavior for. Introduction to OSHA-10. Complete OSHA 10 Online course. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Comply with school policies and procedures.	
01.02	Identify goals of the public works program.	
01.03	Describe public works as both a public and private function.	
01.04	Demonstrate the correct procedures for CPR/AED/Basic First Aid.	
01.05	Describe rules for defensive driving.
•	Complete Defensive Driving Class.	
01.06	Describe to concept of “Community Right to Know/Hazard Communications.” (Complete OSHA – 10 Public Safety online course).	
01.07	Student must complete FEMA 100, 20, 700 and 800 online course for incident Management.	
02.0	Identify tools and equipment used in public works. The student will be able to:	
02.01	Describe the various tools used in public works.	
02.02	Describe the various equipment used in public works.	
02.03	Identify and describe safety practices when working with tools, as described by OSHA’s Standards and Industry Standards.	
03.0	Describe the basic elements of Potable Water Treatment. The student will be able to:”	
03.01	Describe the importance of potable water treatment.	
03.02	Identify sources of potable water.	
03.03	Calculate math in the context of water potable water treatment.	
03.04	Discuss ways of disinfecting water to be used for potable or industrial purposes.	
03.05	Define pH as it pertains to utilities.”	
03.06	Identify requirements for certification in the field of potable water treatment.	
03.07	Recall Portable Water Treatment through assessment.	
03.08	Discuss job opportunities in water treatment.	
04.0	Identify the basic elements of potable water distribution. The student will be able to:	
04.01	Identify the main components of a potable water distribution system	
04.02	Discuss ways of protecting the potable water system. (Backflow Protection)	
04.03	Discuss materials used in potable water distribution.	
04.04	Identify requirements for certification in the field of potable water distribution.	
04.05	Discuss job opportunities in potable water distribution.	
05.0	Describe basic elements in wastewater treatment. The student will be able to:	
05.01	List objectives of wastewater treatment.	
05.02	Define wastewater.	
05.03	List sources of wastewater.	
05.04	Identify basic processes in treating wastewater.	
05.05	Identify requirements for certification in the field of wastewater treatment.	
05.06	Discuss job opportunities in wastewater treatment.	
06.0	Describe basic elements in wastewater collections. The student will be able to:	
06.01	Define wastewater collection system.	
06.02	Identify components of a wastewater collection system.	
06.03	Identify materials used in wastewater collection systems.	
06.04	Recall Wastewater collections system through assessment.	
06.05	Identify requirements for certification in the field of wastewater collection.	
06.06	Discuss job opportunities in wastewater collection.	
07.0	Describe basic elements in stormwater systems. The student will be able to:	
07.01	Identify stormwater regulations and laws.	
07.02	Discuss drainage pipe structures/installation.	
07.03	Stormwater system industry visit.	
07.04	Recall Stormwater systems through an assessment.	
07.05	Discuss effects of stormwater on the environment	
07.06	Identify requirements for certification in the field of stormwater management.	
07.07	Discuss job opportunities in stormwater.	
08.0	Identify basic elements in equipment maintenance. The student will be able to:	
08.01	Describe role of the equipment mechanic.	
08.02	Describe qualifications needed to work in equipment maintenance.	
08.03	Describe career ladder for equipment mechanics.	
08.04	Describe career opportunities for the equipment mechanic.	
09.0	Identify basic elements in public works requiring people skills. The student will be able to:	
09.01	Identify skills needed for listening.	
09.02	Describe the importance of good attitude.	
09.03	Discuss instruments used for evaluation.	
09.04	Describe methods of non-verbal communication.	
09.05	Describe methods of verbal communication.	
09.06	Discuss basic human needs.	
09.07	Discuss role of good work ethics.	
09.08	Discuss principles of human relations.	
09.09	Discuss principles of customer relations.	
10.0	Describe basic elements in solid waste disposal. The student will be able to:	
10.01	Identify the basic processes involved with Solid Waste Treatment.	
10.02	Describe the basic procedures of collecting garbage.	
10.03	Describe the effects of solid waste on the environment.	
10.04	Describe career ladder for solid waste disposal.	
10.05	Describe job opportunities in the field of solid waste.	
11.0	Operate computer using software. The student will be able to:	
11.01	Utilize productivity packages like MS Office, iWork, or OpenOffice.	
11.02	Save documents to computer, Cloud, or external drive.	
11.03	Utilize internet browsers to research items related to public works.	
	
Course Number: ETC0004
Occupational Completion Point: B 
Public Works Cadet 2 – 150 Hours	
12.0	Identify basic elements in parks, buildings and grounds. The student will be able to:	
12.01	 Define the role of a parks maintenance worker, building maintenance worker, and ground maintenance workers.          	
12.02	 Identify the requirements to work with chemicals.	
12.03	 Identify job opportunities in parks, buildings and grounds maintenance.	
12.04	Recognize careers related to parks, buildings and grounds maintenance.     	
13.0	Demonstrate employability skills. The student will be able to:	
13.01	Locates, gathers, analyzes, and evaluates necessary information for performing an effective job search.	
13.02	Gather, analyze and synthesize information on a specific job.	
13.03	 Select appropriate documents and produce final documents to be used for job applications.	
13.04	Complete a job application.	
13.05	Uses appropriate listening, viewing, and speaking strategies effectively in demonstrating competencies in job interview techniques.                                                                          	
13.06	Select and use appropriate listening, viewing, and speaking strategies for effectively communicating with and responding to an employer supervisor.	
13.07	Identify and demonstrate communication, personal health, evaluation, and decision-making strategies necessary for acceptable work habits.	
13.08	Apply an understanding of communication and language impact on workplace situations and on making job changes.	
14.0	Identify basic elements in utility locations. The student will be able to:	
14.01	Define utilities.	
14.02	Identify public utilities.	
14.03	Discuss private utilities.	
14.04	Discuss job opportunities in utility locations.	
15.0	Identify basic elements in equipment operations. The student will be able to:	
15.01	Identify heavy equipment used in public works.	
15.02	Explain safety practices used in equipment operations.	
15.03	Describe career ladder for equipment operations.	
15.04	Describe career opportunities as an equipment operator.	
16.0	Identify basic elements and opportunities in traffic operations. The student will be able to:	
16.01	Explain the importance of traffic operations.	
16.02	Describe the importance of street construction.	
17.0	Identify basic elements in technical design and drafting. The student will be able to:	
17.01	Identify tools and supplies and calculate math for drafters and engineers.	
17.02	Calculate math problems and read a Philadelphia Rod.	
17.03	Demonstrate how to set up and level transit.	
17.04	Describe career ladder in drafting and engineering.	
17.05	Describe job opportunities in engineering.	
17.06	Identify use of contract document.	
17.07	Identify legal requirements for bidding.	
17.08	Describe the concept of Asset Management.	
17.09	Explore products used in Asset Management.	
17.10	Explore methodologies associated with Asset Management.	
18.0	Describe the basic elements in the natural gas industry. The student will be able to:	
18.01	Discuss the history of natural gas.	
18.02	Identify tools and equipment used in gas industry.	
18.03	Discuss safety procedures when using natural gas.	
18.04	Identify requirements for license and certification.	
18.05	Identify career opportunities in the gas industry.	
19.0	Prepare for commercial driving license. The student will be able to:	
19.01	Identify steps for Class B Pre-Trip Inspection for a basic vehicle inspection of a 26,000 lb truck.	
19.02	Explain the rules for road emergencies.	
19.03	Discuss guidelines for night driving.	
19.04	Discuss guidelines for controlling speed.	
19.05	Identify safety measures for controlling vehicles.	
19.06	Discuss air brakes. Perform (recall) Air Brakes test on Class B or Restricted A vehicle.	
19.07	Describe procedures for parallel parking, measured right turn, and backing up.	
19.08	Demonstrate pre-trip inspection.	
19.09	Discuss road trips, (city and interstate driving).	
19.10	Describe procedures for acquiring license.  	

Course Number: ETC0005
Occupational Completion Point: C 
Public Works Cadet 3 – 150 Hours	
20.0	Describe the importance of professional ethics and legal responsibilities. The student will be able to:	
20.01	Evaluate and justify decisions based on ethical reasoning.	
20.02	Evaluate alternative responses to workplace situations based on personal, professional, ethical, legal responsibilities, and employer policies.	
20.03	Identify and explain personal and long-term consequences of unethical or illegal behaviors in the workplace.	
20.04	Interpret and explain written organizational policies and procedures.	
21.0	Perform designated job skills. The student will be able to:	
21.01	Apply safety procedures on the job.	
21.02	Follow written and oral directions.	
21.03	Display an acceptable level of productivity and quality work.	
21.04	Demonstrate appropriate dress and personal hygiene.	
21.05	Demonstrate reacting to constructive criticism in a positive manner.	
21.06	Communicate effectively with employer and co-workers.	
21.07	Demonstrate initiative.	
21.08	Demonstrate decision making and problem-solving skills.	
21.09	Demonstrate punctually and reliability by working as scheduled.	
21.10	Demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for the job and for the training station.	

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

On-the-job training or Externship/Internship is required for this program.  To distinguish between OJT and Externship/Internship:  OJT is paid supervised work where Externship/Internship is non-paid supervised work experience.  This training gives all students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, job seeking skills, and to demonstrate competencies.  The students will be graded on these experiences through evaluations, portfolios, and demonstrating competencies. 

Cooperative Training – OJT

On-the-job training is appropriate but not required for this program.  Whenever offered, the rules, guidelines, and requirements specified in the OJT framework apply. 

Basic Skills 

In Career Certificate programs offered for 450 hours or more, in accordance with Rule 6A-10.040, F.A.C., the minimum basic skills grade levels required for postsecondary adult career and technical students to complete this program are:  Computation (Mathematics) and Communications (Reading and Language Arts). These grade level numbers correspond to a grade equivalent score obtained on a state designated basic skills examination.  

Adult students with disabilities, as defined in Section 1004.02, Florida Statutes, may be exempted from meeting the Basic Skills requirements (Rule 6A-10.040).  Students served in exceptional student education (except gifted) as defined in s. 1003.01, F.S., may also be exempted from meeting the Basic Skills requirement.  Each school district and Florida College System Institution must adopt a policy addressing procedures for exempting eligible students with disabilities from the Basic Skills requirement as permitted in Section 1004.91, F.S.

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.

Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.