Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

1. Field of work and areas of responsibility 

Certified senior wastewater specialists are qualified to fulfil job-specific technical, organizational and managerial functions in private and public enterprises of different size as well as in different areas and fields of activity and they are able to adapt flexibly to changed methods and systems, to changing structures of work organization and new methods of organization development and personnel management and development as well as to cooperate in shaping technical and organizational change.
They are qualified and authorized to provide company-based training and further training (training skills).

2. Occupational skills 

Certified senior wastewater specialists have many years of experience which they have as a rule acquired through relevant initial vocational training and further practical work. In order to perform the above-mentioned tasks, they command the following skills:

2.1 Job-related pedagogical skills
- General basic knowledge
- Cooperation in the recruitment of trainees
- On-the-job training
- Supporting the learning process
- Group training
- Completion of training

2.2 Basic skills
- Legal knowledge
- Knowledge of business management principles
- Application of information, communication and planning methods
- Cooperation in the enterprise
- Observing basic scientific and technical principles

2.3 Job-specific skills
- in the field of technology
- Controlling and documenting processes
- Detecting faults in processes and initiating trouble-shooting measures
- Identifying risks in operations and initiating protective measures
- Planning and organizing company operations with due consideration of technical, staff-related, social, legal and economic aspects
- Planning and supervising the use of facilities and equipment as well as the maintenance of machines, devices, pipework and structural works
- Monitoring and controlling operations and processes
- Supervising and interpreting measurements and analytical records for process and quality control
- Recording and analysing data and using them for optimizing processes

- in the field of organization
- Monitoring and documenting the observance of legal requirements
- Controlling costs and performance
- Coordinating measures for cooperation with other company units and third parties
- Observing and applying field-specific legal provisions as well as provisions governing occupational safety and health and environmental protection

- in the field of management and staff
- Line management taking into account company objectives and the abilities of the staff
- Encouraging and supporting staff in taking independent and responsible action
- Manpower planning and cooperation in the filling of vacancies
- Encouraging and supporting communication between staff, management and staff representation
- Appraisal of staff
- Ecouraging staff members' innovativeness, development and further training
- Assuming responsibility for training
- Implementing measures for achieving the quality management objectives.

3. Skills accreditation 

According to the Federal Government regulation of 23 February 2005 (Federal Law Gazette BGBl. Part I p. 368), the certified senior wastewater specialist must have demonstrated the skills listed in section 2 above in an examination administered under public law with a focus on practical application and job-related skills. A certificate is awarded on passing the examination.

4. Examination requirements 

Before sitting the examination for certified senior wastewater specialist, all candidates must have completed vocational training as sewage engineering technicians (Fachkraft für Abwassertechnik) or as supply and waste disposal specialists (Ver- und Entsorger) and have electrotechnical skills and at least one year's relevant work experience, or they must have completed vocational training for another recognized occupation or at least three years of practical work and have electrotechnical skills and at least two years' work experience, or provide evidence of a comparable qualification.
Furthermore they must prove that they have acquired job-related pedagogical skills and are thus suited to work as instructors.
Courses are offered to prepare candidates for the examination; their duration depends on the various specialist and managerial tasks.

Last modified on: October 31, 2006