JPIA Five

In this episode of JPIA Five, we introduce Kristen Bennett, ACWA JPIA's new Training Specialist, who brings 15 years of expertise in public sector training and curriculum development. Kristen shares her holistic approach to employee training, emphasizing the importance of understanding organizational context, tailoring sessions to specific needs, and fostering active participation.

This episode also spotlights upcoming learning opportunities with Kristen, including a "Peer-to-Boss" training on January 28th and February's Hot Java session, Thinking Inside the Box. Join us for insights on building a collaborative and growth-oriented workplace culture!

JPIA members can register for training at: https://acwajpia.prosperitylms.com/req/acwajpia/_student/index.cfm?calendar=1

In the Season 4 premiere of the JPIA Five podcast, we introduce Elisa Sabatini, ACWA JPIA's newly appointed Director of Member Outreach, who shares her vibrant perspective on her evolving role for member agencies. She brings humor and insight, reflecting on her professional journey and recent successes in community flood control efforts. Tune in to explore how ACWA JPIA and Elisa are fostering a culture of excellence and making an impact together.

In this episode of JPIA Five, ACWA JPIA General Counsel Robert Greenfield along with Litigation Manager Kayla Villa and HR Manager Tony Waterford discuss new statutes for 2025 and significant case law from 2024. This episode focuses on pivotal HR laws and regulations coming in 2025, and also delves into Supreme Court decisions on free speech, hostile work environments, and whistleblower protections. Learn actionable steps for ensuring compliance and navigating negotiations. Plus, discover how the ACWA JPIA Employment Hotline can support your HR challenges. Tune in for these expert insights to keep your organization ahead of the curve!

On this episode, a repeat of a recent Hot Java, Nicole Reed and Dina Hidalgo from the Water Replenishment District discuss how effectively managing a multigenerational workforce supports employee engagement.

This is a special episode of JPIA Five. This is a rebroadcast of our monthly Hot Java, Hot HR Topics webinar. This episode is a discussion with Nicole Reed. Ms Reed is the DEI coordinator at the Water Replenishment District (WRD).

WRD embarked on a journey to ingrain diversity, equity, and inclusion into their culture. What began with an equity study, transformed into a participatory paradigm that is fostering a more inclusive workplace. This presentation will highlight WRD’s journey of turning their Gender and Racial Equity study into reality.

In this episode of the JPIA Five podcast, we share key details about the upcoming ACWA JPIA Fall Summit in Palm Desert on Dec 2-3, covering educational sessions, networking events, and the digital voting process for the Board meeting. The episode also spotlights fun activities like the Leadership Mixer and the 'Vote for the Goat' mascot naming campaign.

To register for the ACWA JPIA Summit visit: https://www.acwajpia.com/membershipsummit/

In this episode for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, new ACWA JPIA IT Manager Erik Kowalewski shares insights from his 21-year career in IT, highlighting the evolving challenges in cybersecurity. He delves into major threats like phishing and ransomware and emphasizes proactive strategies such as multifactor authentication, user training, and cutting-edge firewalls. Kowalewski advocates for balancing security with user experience, focusing on initiatives like cloud integration to enhance the organization's cybersecurity posture.

Resources:

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

https://www.cisa.gov/

Industry Defenders

https://industrydefenders.com/

Hacker News

https://news.ycombinator.com/

Join ACWA JPIA Director of Pooled Programs Jennifer Jobe as she introduces JPIA's new Employee Benefits Manager Adam Dedman who, along with Tom Sher, Sr. Vice President of Alliant Insurance Services, discuss managing health benefits, personal insights, the future of health benefits focusing on preventative care, & healthcare impacts.

ACWA JPIA Communication & Outreach Specialist Molly Quirk is joined by JPIA Event Planner Laura Baryak as she unveils the recently renamed JPIA Membership Summit. Laura takes us through the jam-packed agenda, featuring meetings, a celebration of the Commitment to Excellence (C2E) program, a live podcast recording & more. The summit which "Celebrate{s) a Commitment to Excellence,' will also feature a reception honoring C2E's 10th Anniversary . Leadership Development Program alumni are also invited to a networking mixer. Finally, Laura gives an update on the new digital voting system.

Tune in to learn more about the schedule and additional event changes!

In this episode of JPIA Five, host Kevin Phillip (ACWA JPIA Director of Member Outreach) and guests hosts Cassie Crittenden, JPIA HR Specialist, and Molly Quirk, JPIA Communication and Outreach Specialist, explore the impact of AI, specifically ChatGPT, on decision-making & communication in the water industry. The podcast provides valuable insights into AI's benefits and challenges, urging responsible use and collaboration with human expertise for the benefit of water agencies. The guests discuss concerns such when working with AI platforms including handling confidential information, plagiarism, fact-checking, and being wary of more advanced cyber and phishing attacks.