2022 Administrative Summit

Speakers: Randi Taylor - Greater Augusta Utility District, Kate Yeatts - MRWA, and Kirsten Hebert - MRWA

Today's job market is difficult to navigate; finding candidates with relevant background and experience is increasingly more complicated. Maine's water/wastewater utility industry personnel are retiring at alarming rates leaving a void of institutional knowledge. Be prepared for your next front office hire. Develop a training program for on boarding and retention of staff. Join us for this round table discussion of tips, techniques and suggested process for acclimating and training your new front office staff.

Learning objectives:

• Employers need to know the basics: Identify where to start, assess priorities and structure foundational learning accordingly
• Regular check ins to ensure staff members are retaining and appropriately applying new knowledge
• Setting expectations: Reasonable and clear expectations for the employee and the employer

Speaker: David Ciullo - Career Management Associates 

Recruiting and retaining talent in a tight and volatile labor market requires some real internal work and focused execution. In addition, what it takes to retain top talent includes an honest conversation about the real drivers of engagement today.

There has been a paradigm shift and David Ciullo, CEO will discuss:

• Challenges your organization is facing
• Challenge your thinking for solutions including coaching and accountability
• Provide actionable tips to act and make a difference

Speaker: Peter Lowe - Brann & Isaacson

Join employment lawyer Peter Lowe as he discusses the latest important developments in HR/Employment law. As we hopefully move forward from the pandemic, you’ll learn about the way the workplace is changing and the key employment laws that you need to keep up with. Topics may include hiring and recruitment, harassment and discrimination, social media and key handbook policies, and practical advice for avoiding the workplace landmines that can prove so costly to an organization. Also come armed with your questions.

Speaker: Jim Katsiaficas - Perkins Thompson

The goal for this discussion includes the following learning objectives:

• Overview of easements (what are they, and what exactly do they entitle the utility to do?)
• How do you/when should you modify the terms of an easement
• What happens if your project will cause a deviation from the terms of the easement
• How/when to record an easement
• How to determine how many/where/what easements a utility may have it no records are available at the utility's office
• Construction matters: review of main extensions and appropriate insurances