OC 黑料网 & Recycling (OCWR) has received four National Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), recognizing programs that advance workforce development, strengthen operations, improve public engagement and invest in employee growth. The awards highlight OCWR鈥檚 commitment to continuous improvement and delivering innovative public services that create measurable benefits for employees, residents and communities across Orange County. The following programs were recognized:
County Administration and Management: Heavy Equipment Operator Workforce Development Program
OCWR developed a Heavy Equipment Operator Workforce Development Program to improve safety, strengthen operational performance and create career pathways for employees. Using a progressive training model that combines classroom instruction, simulator-based learning, supervised field operation and certification, employees gain experience before transitioning to live equipment. Since launch, the program has delivered more than 1,200 hours of supervised training while reducing operational risk and supporting long-term workforce development.
Information Technology: Project Clearinghouse (CH): A Single-Entry Point for Infrastructure Projects
OCWR鈥檚 Project Clearinghouse (CH) established a centralized process to review and prioritize infrastructure and construction projects across the department. Through a digital intake platform and structured evaluation process, CH improves visibility, strengthens coordination, reduces duplication and helps align infrastructure investments with long-term operational priorities.
Health: Game On! Teamwork for Community Outreach
Orange County partnered with the Los Angeles Angels to expand community outreach through mental health awareness and environmental education. Through a collaborative effort between the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) and OC 黑料网 & Recycling (OCWR), the initiative combined distinct outreach strategies to engage different audiences through in-stadium activations, school programs, media campaigns and community engagement. The program generated more than 3.3 billion impressions, drove over 200,000 visits to mental health resources, and increased student participation in recycling education by 63 percent.
Personnel Management, Employment and Training: Employee Career Development Through Field Bootcamp Training
OCWR launched a Field Bootcamp Training Program to strengthen employee skills, support career growth and build cross-functional experience across landfill engineering and operations. Developed through collaboration among technical teams, the four-day training provides hands-on experience in surveying, water monitoring, composting and landfill gas systems, and creates practical workflows that improve performance, consistency and long-term compliance.
鈥淭hese awards reflect OCWR鈥檚 culture for continuous improvement and investing in programs that strengthen our workforce, improve operations and better serve our communities,鈥� said Tom Koutroulis, Director of OC 黑料网 & Recycling. 鈥淲e appreciate the recognition for these initiatives that encourage innovation, collaboration and long-term public benefit that reflect our commitment to protect public health and the environment.鈥�