Whats an Operator-In-Training (OIT)?
If a water supply system or wastewater treatment facility loses its only certified operator, the owner may: 1) contract with another certified operator, or; 2) hire a non-certified individual as an Operator-In-Training (OIT). KDHE will provide names of certified operators upon request of a utility looking for a candidate operator. The person hired as an OIT is expected to learn how to physically operate and manage the system by obtaining experience “on the job.” KDHE requires that the owner notify it within 30 days of hiring a new operator. As soon as possible after completing one full year of work as an OIT, the operator is supposed to take the appropriate certification examination. Note that the OIT of a Class III system may be required to take the Class I exam and then work up through the grades if the individual doesn’t have enough experience for the higher level exam. Beyond these requirements, water or wastewater systems are encouraged to contact KRWA when a new operator begins w
