The USspecbook.com is a free online resource providing standards and specifications for city, county, and wet utility companies along the West Coast and Hawaii.  Beyond the Public Works contact and standard information, the company provides a platform for cities to announce their RFP information, and for visitors to list their company profile and contact information under every city they service.  The services are free.

Please go to the resources – links from the pull down menu if you are interested in their services.

The Norwich University School of Graduate Studies in concert with The American Public Works Association (APWA) is offering a new "Public Works Administration" concentration in our on-line Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. This concentration, which is a joint effort between The Norwich University School of Graduate Studies MPA and MCE (Master of Civil Engineering) programs, will cover legal, operational, administrative, and policy issues for: public utilities; water, wastewater, and transportation facilities; emergency response; etc. APWA and Norwich University School of Graduate Studies is offering a one time 30% discount in tuition for the two concentration courses only.

The APWA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational and membership organization whose exempt purpose shall be the advancement of the theory and practice of the design, construction, maintenance, administration, and operation of public works facilities and services; the dissemination of information and experience upon, and the promotion of improved practices in public works administration; the encouragement of the adherence by public works officials to a high professional standard; and the professional and social improvements of its members; and the promotion of cooperation among all public, quasi-public, and private persons, firms, corporations, bodies, utilities, and agencies which have interests in the field of public works. In line with our exempt purpose, the APWA has established a Mission to promote professional excellence; understanding of and competency and credibility in public works.  

Membership in APWA national or any chapter is not a selection requirement. Applicants should be aware that this is not a qualified tuition reduction plan by IRS definition. Applicants should consult a tax advisor if they have questions about any tax liability.

The successful applicant for this scholarship should have previous experience and education in the civil engineering, construction/project management, and/or public works areas. The application deadline is January 26, 2009.  

Please answer the questions below and attach your resume with this application for consideration.

1.       Why do you want to enroll in the Norwich University Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Public Works?

2.       What unique qualifications do you posses that will ensure your success in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Public Works program?

3.       How will you use what you learn in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Public Works program to advance the goals of APWA?

4.       Will your employer reimburse you for any of the expenses associated with this program?

Fax or email your application and resume to Christina Davis at 816-595-5316 or cdavis@apwa.net no later than January 26, 2009.  For further information, contact:
Christina Davis, Continuing Education Project Manager, American Public Works Association.
cdavis@APWA.NET (800) 848-2792 x5216 (voice) | (816) 595-5316 (fax)

HECO will be holding a Career Fair.  Great news in today’s economy situation.  HECO is looking for the following positions:

• Electrical Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Civil / Structural Engineers
• Renewable Energy Engineers
• Systems Engineers
• 2009 Engineering Summer Interns
• IT Development Analysts

SSFM is sponsoring a free seminar on BIM.  This is the chance for you to learn from other practitioners including architects, engineers, and contractors how they use BIM and what they have encountered.

Date:          Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Time:          7:30 am to 1:00 pm

Location:     State Meeting Room (McKinley High School)

Please contact stacey miyamoto, SSFM at smiyamoto@ssfm.com by November 10, 2008 if interested.

There is still time to sign up for the 2008 HPI Conference, on October 27-28, at the East West Conference Center.  Agenda and registration had been attached previously.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2009 FHWA Excellence in Utility Relocation and Accommodation Awards.  This biennial awards program recognizes innovation and excellence with improving the practice of relocating or accommodating utilities on surface transportation projects.  The awards will be presented in the following categories:

• Project Development
• Construction Management
• Innovation
• Utility Program Leadership
• Incentives for Utility Relocation

Anyone may nominate an individual, team, process, initiative or surface transportation project on the NHS or that used Federal-aid highway funding which made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of utility practices within the last 3 years (since January 1, 2006).

Nominations will only be accepted electronically through November 21 at www.fhwa.dot.gov/utilities.  Award winners will be recognized during the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' 2009 Subcommittee on Right-of-Way and Utilities conference in April 2009 in Oklahoma City. 

Additional information on the Excellence in Utility Relocation and Accommodation Awards, including award categories, and previous winners is available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/utilities , or by contacting Mr. Jeffrey Zaharewicz at jeffrey.zaharewicz@dot.gov.

APWA TO DEVELOP HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM

 - Task Force Members Needed To Assist In Program Development

The 2009 Awards Program is now available online at our National APWA website.  

There has been a new Professional Manager of the Year award category added, the Professional Manager of the Year Award in Administrative Management. This award seeks to recognize outstanding achievement in the area of administration within the public works department and to inspire excellence and dedication in the public sector by recognizing the outstanding career service achievements of administrative professionals.

The Public Works Project of the Year has had the cost of construction divisions revised to create a more balanced pricing variance within each division. Those divisions in 2009 will be:

  - Projects less than $5 million

  - Projects $5 million but less than $25 million

  - Projects $25 million to $75 million

  - Projects greater than $75 million

Deadline dates for the 2009 Awards are as follows:

  February 2, 2009           Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award

  March 2, 2009               All other awards are due except the Presidential Award for Chapter Excellence (PACE)

  June 1, 2009                 Presidential Award for Chapter Excellence (PACE)

You can also contact Rhonda Wilhite at 800-848-2792, ext. 5261 (rwilhite@apwa.net) if you have questions about the 2009 Awards Program.

The Hawaii Procurement Institute will be holding their 2008 Annual Conference on October 27-28 at the EastWestCenter, University of Hawaii at Manoa.  

                      Our APWA Hawaii Chapter MEET AND GREET night is coming! 

Join us for a wonderful opportunity to network with fellow members and top officials from the State, City and utility company.  Spend a wonderful night at Dave & Busters!

Mark your calendar:  Thursday 10/9/2008 5:00-8:00pm at Sunset lanai, Dave & Busters.

Questions?  Please contact  Corey Matsuoka at  (808) 531-1308 or cmatsuoka@ssfm.com.

Public Works Magazine has extended the deadline for their Department of the Year contest until Sept. 26, 2008. If you are interested in nominating a worthy agency, you can find entry criteria at www.pwmag.com/PWDOY.  

The departments selected as winners will be profiled in the December 2008 issue of Public Works and will receive a plaque commemorating their achievement.

A notable public works department should have a highly qualified staff, a diverse workforce, and a functional arrangement that encourages innovation and communication between its engineers, technicians, and staff members. In addition, the department should meet or exceed its budgets, provide for the safety of personnel in various working environments, offer convenient communication with constituents (citizens), and provide training or continuing education for its employees.

Any city or county public works department, including consolidated agencies serving more than one town, is eligible. State or federal agencies are not eligible.

Please note that APWA is not affiliated with the awards, criteria or selection.