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Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities wins APWA accreditation; human‑resources practices singled out
Summary
The American Public Works Association granted full accreditation to the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities after a peer review found the utility in full compliance with nationally recognized management practices and cited its human‑resources recruitment as exemplary.
The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities received full accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA) after a multi‑day peer review, officials said at the March 5 Board of Public Utilities meeting.
APWA regional director Christina Ramirez, who led the evaluation team, said accreditation “is the mark of professionalism indicating public works agencies that have made the commitment to continuous improvements in the delivery of public works operations and services in the community in which they serve.” Ramirez told the board the evaluators reviewed 232 model practices at the department and found the utility in full compliance; she said one model practice — DPU’s approach to human‑resources recruitment — was identified as an example other agencies could follow.
The accreditation covers the department’s policies, procedures and practices across finance and administration, public relations, gas, water and sewer, engineering, electric production and electric distribution. Ramirez said APWA has 218 accredited agencies and about 91 organizations with one or more accredited agencies; evaluation teams are made up of professionals from other accredited agencies.
Philo Shelton, director of the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities, said staff across the department contributed to the accreditation effort and that the department will display the APWA plaque in its office hallway. Shelton and other staff invited the board to a group photo with APWA representatives after the meeting.
The board’s decision in 2021 to pursue accreditation followed earlier participation in other quality programs and resulted in a multi‑year process that included a handbook review and an on‑site evaluation by APWA professionals. The board did not take any formal policy action at the meeting on the accreditation; APWA’s Accreditation Council granted the designation following the evaluators’ recommendation.
Staff said the accreditation cycle is recurring and that Los Alamos will prepare for reaccreditation and hopes to encourage other county public‑works departments to participate in future cycles.
The plaque presentation and comments recognizing the department’s recruitment materials — videos and staff interviews that help with retention — were part of the March 5 agenda.
