The Engineering Forum (EF), established in the late 1980s, is a group of engineers and scientists that supports the Superfund and RCRA programs in each of the ten EPA Regional Offices. As one of the EPA Technical Support Project’s (TSP) three technical forums, the EF is a medium for exchanging technical information regarding innovative site cleanup and characterization technologies. Monthly technical talks focus on site-specific engineering problems encountered, alternatives and solutions, and lessons learned. After each presentation, information regarding upcoming events and training are discussed and time for an Open Mic discussion is provided. If you are a Superfund, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Brownfields, state or federal environmental professional who is interested in solving technical issues, register for any technical talks listed below that interest you and join the discussion!

Presentations are specifically designed for EPA staff including RPMs, OSCs, Corrective Action Managers, Superfund and Technology Liaisons, Chemists, Biologists, Physical Scientists, and Engineers from within EPA regions, program offices, laboratory system, and headquarters personnel as well as environmental professionals from state agencies, tribes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Dept. of Energy, and other federal agencies of all experience levels. THIS TRAINING IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES.

We will try to meet any special accommodations necessary for our participants as possible if given a minimum of two weeks notice. You will be prompted to indicate if you need any special accommodations upon registering for these events.

*This training is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend. One CLP will be issued for each session attended when you register and log on with the registration link provided to enable your attendance to be confirmed.*
 

The Removal Process for Remedial Project Managers (RPM) course focuses on the various aspects of the removal process and various methods of integrating removal actions at National Priorities List (NPL) sites to complete Superfund response activities as quickly and effectively as possible.

By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the laws, regulations, policies and processes involved in Superfund removal actions. The course provides an overview of removal actions that help RPMs understand the role they play in the Superfund cleanup program.
• Identify removal authorities, recognize situations in which removal actions are appropriate and initiate removal actions. The course examines approaches to the evaluation and initiation of removal actions, emphasizing such challenges as meeting applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARAR) during removal actions.
• Summarize the steps to be taken to implement the removal action and complete the necessary closeout procedures. The course provides a step-by-step review of the conduct of a removal action, from initial activities on site through closeout.
• Apply the RPM’s new knowledge to real-life situations. Participants are challenged to use the information acquired during the course to complete realistic exercises and case studies. They also have the opportunity to consider examples of actual issues and problems that arise during Superfund removal actions and the resolutions of such issues.

The Removal Process for RPMs course is a 2-day comprehensive training course intended for EPA RPMs who have at least six months of experience and are involved, or intend to be involved, with leading a removal action at NPL sites, although more experienced RPMs are encouraged to attend and share their field experiences with the class. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

Remedial Process is a beginner-level training course that provides a comprehensive examination of the technical and regulatory issues that Remedial Project Managers (RPM) must address as they oversee remedial response efforts at Superfund sites.

By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn the process to implement remedial response activities at Superfund sites and methods to conduct such activities effectively. The course discusses strategies for site characterization, oversight and enforcement, applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARAR), contracts and resources, Superfund decision documents, remedial design and remedial action (RD/RA) and community involvement.
• Understand and identify the various regulatory and administrative aspects of the Superfund program. The course examines a number of contracting issues, identifies resources that support contracting efforts, and reviews requirements for operation and maintenance activities, site close-out, five-year reviews and remedy optimization.
• Develop an awareness of the role of community involvement in the remedial process. The course discusses the principles of community involvement, the role of community involvement plans and various methods of dealing with problems related to community involvement, including conflict management and effective negotiation.
• Apply the knowledge RPMs gain during the course. Participants take part in several activities that give them the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills and knowledge to realistic situations that reflect the real-life experiences of RPMs working in the Superfund program.

The Remedial Process course is a 4.5-day course and is designed for RPMs and other environmental professionals who have one to three years of experience in the Superfund program and who are responsible for or need to know about remedial response activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES. The Fundamentals of Superfund course is a prerequisite for EPA employees who would like to attend the Remedial Process course. Please note, non-EPA registrants may be asked to cancel their registration if the course reaches capacity, as priority to attend this course is given to EPA Superfund RPMs.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

OSC 201 is an intermediate-level training course that expands on the Removal Process course to prepare On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) for the rigors of everyday removal action site activities. The instructional methodology will include a response case study to provide participants an opportunity to apply the skills learned during the course. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand how to apply a Removal Site Strategy Model to a project. The course reviews this effective conceptual tool in managing the factors that influence the cleanup at a removal site.
• Learn project management skills, including organization of a project, forecasting resources and personnel, planning meetings, documenting site activities and tracking schedules and costs. The course prepares OSCs for the daily challenges they will encounter during a removal action and an emergency response.
• Learn to navigate through the daily tasks of the removal process and adapt to changing site circumstances. The course includes a response case study to provide participants an opportunity to apply the skills learned during the course.
• Understand the keys to conducting a removal action that is consistent with the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The course takes a hands-on practitioner's approach to removal and emergency response management, based on the perspective of field operations, and focuses on attaining the response action goals.

OSC 201 is a 2-day training course designed for OSCs with one to two years of experience, particularly in the field at removal actions and who may have assisted other OSCs with removal actions or are now preparing to take the lead in conducting a large-scale removal action. More experienced OSCs may find the course useful as a refresher and an opportunity to share success stories and lesson learned with newer OSCs. Other EPA removal program personnel (including Headquarters regional coordinators, enforcement personnel, Removal Managers and Special Team members) are also welcome to attend. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, STATES, TRIBES, ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES. The Removal Process course is a prerequisite for EPA employees who would like to attend OSC 201.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

Waste Treatment, Transportation and Disposal, a 2.5-day advanced training course, focuses on specific technical and regulatory issues that On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and Remedial Project Managers (RPM) must address when treating, transporting and disposing of waste. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn a step-by-step approach to the treatment, transportation and disposal of waste. The course discusses oversight of the major steps in procuring cost-effective and efficient treatment, transportation and disposal of waste. The course explores the complex definitions of solid and hazardous waste and provides real-life examples of how to decide whether wastes are RCRA hazardous during a removal action.
• Discover practical recommendations for improving the treatment, transportation and disposal process. The course stresses some obvious and other less obvious aspects helpful in improving the transportation and disposal process.
• Master information about the identification and analysis of waste. Participants will obtain information from experienced professionals about the process of identifying and analyzing special waste types and to arrange for treatment, transportation and disposal of waste.

Waste Treatment, Transportation and Disposal is an advanced-level training course intended for EPA OSCs and other EPA removal program personnel. The course is designed to equip OSCs with the information they need to plan for the treatment, transportation and disposal of wastes generated from removal actions. Other EPA environmental professionals, such as RPMs, site assessment managers, remedial program staff, and Special Team members may also benefit from the course. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, STATES, LOCAL AGENCIES, TRIBES, ACADEMIA, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

OSC Warrant Officer Training provides an overview of the contracting and program authorities vested in a warranted OSC. It will explain the various tools, procurement and non-procurement that are available to an OSC during emergency and time-critical removal actions. It also gives a good overview of government contracting principles and vulnerabilities. There will be case study preparation and presentation and a test given on the final day.

By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the responsibilities and authorities delegated to OSCs when directing emergency response and removal actions. This course reviews the response and contracting authorities delegated to the OSC under the National Oil and Hazard Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP).
• Learn about the fundamentals of contracting. The course provides basic information on key contracting elements and effective contract management practices
• Understand the contracting tools and techniques authorized for use under the OSC’s Delegated Procurement Authority (DPA). The course provides OSCs with the policies and procedures for procurement tools under the DPA and other mechanisms that are available to access and use during a response.
• Learn how to apply the tools and techniques in a removal action scenario. The course includes a response case study to provide participants an opportunity to apply the skills learned during the training.

This course is designed for personnel who are experienced and pre-designated as OSCs capable of being assigned emergency response or other field assignments where they may be required to make independent time-critical or emergency decisions. EPA project officers and contracting officers supporting the removal and emergency response program also may benefit from attending the training. This course is only open to EPA personnel.

Before taking the OSC Warrant Officer Training, the EPA OSC must be a certified COR. Becoming a certified COR is a mandatory requirement for an EPA OSC to request the warrant after taking the OSC Warrant Officer Training. Online courses are available at http://oamintra.epa.gov/node/drupal/?q=node/33 to become a COR. The online course must be completed at least 7 business days before attending the OSC Warrant Officer Training. A copy of the COR guidelines is available at http://www.fai.gov/drupal/certification/fac-cor-certification-requirements

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*