| Course Descriptions
Please read all the training course descriptions before making your selections. |
Training courses will be presented using a variety of techniques, including case studies, lectures, and discussion sessions. The training courses will be held all day on Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 21, and in the afternoon on Thursday, June 23. The following training courses will be offered this year:
Category A: Investigation
Category B: Design, Remediation, and Post-Construction
Category C: Technology and Contaminant-Specific Topics
Category D: Resources and Tools
Category A: Investigation
Documenting the Systematic Planning Process in a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) will demonstrate
to RPMs how the Systematic Planning Process (SPP) supports the collection of defensible environmental data of known and
documented quality that are appropriate for their intended use. Aspects to be discussed include: application of the scientific
method, the graded or common sense approach to project planning, the life cycle of data collection, and the team-based
approach for development of performance and acceptance criteria for the quality of the data collected and for the quality of
the decision to be made. The presentation will emphasize the importance of sampling design and its relationship to the
heterogeneity of cleanup sites and the inherent uncertainties of environmental data. Participants will be shown through the
use of an example hypothetical site how the SPP is documented in a QAPP. Participants will
be introduced to the new Uniform Federal Policy (UFP) for QAPPs that prescribes content, offers worksheets for organizing
information, and identifies the minimum activities for various phases of the site cleanup process. Tools and techniques for
QAPP completeness reviews will be provided as well as information for obtaining UFP QAPP guidance documents.
This course is sponsored by the TSP Federal Facilities Forum and EPA’s Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office.
Evaluating Ground Water/Surface Water Transition Zones in Eco-Risk Assessments will discuss hydrogeological
and ecological methods and tools for locating ground water discharge areas in a rapid and cost-effective manner, and for
evaluating actual and/or potential effects of contaminant exposure on transition-zone biota. Assessing the impact of
contaminated ground water on nearby surface water bodies has been historically dependent on surface water quality
samples. However, this sampling strategy does not fully evaluate actual or potential contaminant impacts on the transition
zone, a unique and important ecosystem that exists between surface water and the underlying ground water, that receives
water from both of these sources. Biota inhabiting, or otherwise dependent on, the transition zone may be adversely
impacted by contaminated ground water discharging through the transition zone.
In addition to the lecture-style presentations, several case studies will be presented to illustrate the importance of sampling
relevant ecological receptors within this zone. The content of this training will also be the focus of an upcoming Ground
Water Forum Issue Paper/ECO-Update joint publication.
This course is sponsored by the TSP Ground Water Forum and EPA's Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Geology/Hydrogeology - Introduction to Contaminant Hydrogeology provides an introduction to the basic concepts of aquifer geologic and hydrogeologic properties, ground water flow, and contaminant plume evolution. The course will include modules on basic geology, hydrogeology, aquifer testing, well installation, and ground water sampling with special emphasis on hydrogeology as it applies to site characterization and contaminant plume transport. Case studies will be presented that emphasize hydrogeologic applications. This course is intended for project managers with little or no familiarity with basic hydrogeologic concepts and practices.
This course is sponsored by the TSP Ground Water Forum.
Vapor Intrusion - Assessment Update will focus on the technical issues that RPMs should consider when determining
whether vapors from a subsurface contaminant source intrude or may in the future intrude into inhabited buildings and pose an
unacceptable risk to human health. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:
- Obtain an overview of the revisions to EPA’s vapor intrusion guidance
- Discuss the new spreadsheet tools that accompany the revised guidance
- Discuss sampling issues and available assessment tools
- Learn about mitigation options for vapor intrusion
The instructional methodology for this course includes lectures, case studies, and question and answer sessions.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Visual Sample Plan (VSP) Training will provide participants with an introductory overview of VSP and introduce
the participants to key features of the VSP software. VSP is a software tool for determining the right number and locations of
samples and performing statistical assessments to support confident decisions. The course will demonstrate how participants
can use VSP to help them select the right type, quality, and quantity of data needed to ensure statistically defensible
sampling designs and perform statistical tests on the data to support confident decisions. Participants will learn how to use
VSP to compare mean concentrations against regulatory thresholds, compare against background, locate hot spots, compare
individual measurements against thresholds, construct confidence intervals, locate unexploded ordnance, sample
within buildings, and other cases. In addition, participants will learn how to use VSP to import maps or building floorplans
or draw site maps, select and display sample locations, output sample coordinates, and provide a document summarizing
all the objectives, assumptions, and outcomes from the sampling and analysis results.
A few case studies will be provided to illustrate the use of the most popular sample designs and statistical analyses.
Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop with VSP 4.0 loaded in order to get the most out of the training; however,
doing so is not required. Instructions for how to download the software are provided at http://dqo.pnl.gov/vsp.
This course is sponsored by the TSP Federal Facilities Forum and EPA’s Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office.
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Category B: Design, Remediation, and Post-Construction
Close-Out Procedures will teach the participants how
to document construction complete (CC) milestones as
well as those leading to site deletion. The workshop
summarizes the requirements of the guidance "Close
Out Procedures for National Priorities List Sites"
(January 2000) and subsequent updates. Topics
include an overview of the process by which
remedial action (RA) completion, construction
completion, site completion, and site deletion
(and partial deletion) are accomplished. The
course will present an overview of the
National Priority List (NPL) site close out process
and highlight specific activities and related reports
that indicate the completion of each activity. Modules
in the course include RA Starts and
Completions, Construction Completions/Site
Completions, and Deletions and Partial Deletions.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund
Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Five-Year Reviews focuses on how to conduct and develop a five-year review document. By taking the course, participants
will achieve the following objectives:
- Identify the type of five-year review required and understand when it is due
- Understand the roles and responsibilities among EPA, other federal agencies, states, Tribes, and the community
- Understand how to identify issues and develop recommendations
- Learn how to use a systematic approach to select protectiveness statements
The instructional methodology for this course includes a lecture, course handouts, and sample five-year review documents.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Jump-Starting Ecological Restoration will provide information to RPMs that they can incorporate early into their
planning actions to enhance the ecological structure and services of the site. There are compelling reasons to consider the
ecological value of sites that can contribute to EPA’s initiatives for revitalization and beneficial reuse as well as reasonable
and realistic activities RPMs can incorporate into the site work that will not adversely affect the budget. Rather than thinking
about how the site will look after the heavy lifting is done, start early to promote ecosystem restoration and ecological
processes that are of real value, economically and socially, to the community. The RPM can leave a natural legacy for which
the local community will thank you and which can advance EPA’s mission to improve the American environment. RPMs will
learn the importance of native plants and habitats, how to manage invasives, and discuss the Executive Orders which
promote this approach. Concerns about wetlands and leaving waste on site also will be addressed.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Long-Term Ground Water Monitoring Optimization (LTMO) Methods will discuss the qualitative and quantitative
methods for LTMO for ground water, discuss available LTMO methods, and provide case studies and a demonstration of one
LTMO software program. Recently, new tools have been developed to assist in evaluating and optimizing ground water
monitoring networks to ensure that monitoring programs meet monitoring objectives for a given site. This course discusses
information included in a new document prepared by EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers entitled "A Roadmap to
Long Term Monitoring Optimization" (EPA 542-R-05-003, available at: www.cluin.org/download/
char/542-r-05-003.pdf). The course also expands on the qualitative aspects of LTMO which can help verify that a monitoring
plan supports the monitoring objectives for a site. The qualitative review also includes an evaluation of sampling locations
and frequencies, a review of analytical and sampling methods, data management and visualization practices, and other
stakeholder concerns using technical expertise and professional judgment. Quantitative methods discussed in the training
primarily employ statistics and geostatistics to identify deficiencies and redundancies with respect to sampling locations and
frequencies.
The last session of the course will be reserved for a panel discussion among participants and instructors. Participants will be
asked to discuss problems they have encountered with long-term monitoring, provide feedback on the usefulness of LTMO
approaches at their sites, and describe specific site conditions and the applicability of LTMO to those conditions.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Post-Construction of Ground Water Remedies will address current hot topics in ground water remediation at Superfund
sites in 3 1-hour sessions. Each topic will be of a technical and procedural nature and include presentations from EPA
HQ and regional offices. The topics that will be discussed are as follows:
- The Restoration versus Non-Restoration for Fund-Financed Ground Water and Surface Water Remedies module will explain
special considerations for ground water and surface water remedies at Fund-lead NPL sites. This module will emphasize
the distinction between restoration and non-restoration remedies, and will provide useful examples to assist RPMs in
choosing the appropriate remedial action at their sites.
- The Transfer of Long-Term Response Actions (LTRA) to States module will provide guidance to RPMs and others who have
the responsibilities for transferring LTRA projects from EPA to states. It gives practical information on planning for the
transfer of a remedy from the LTRA to the operation and maintenance stage, including roles and responsibilities, documentation, and record
keeping.
- The Technical Impracticability (TI) Decisions in the Superfund Program module will provide RPMs and others with information
to better understand the process of making TI decisions for restoration of ground water. Included
are the regulatory background, components of the TI evaluation, and how the process is working.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Remedial Action (RA) Contracting and Construction Cost Estimating will provide RPMs and managers an overview of techniques
and approaches that are employed in the design and procurement of services for construction at hazardous waste sites.
By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:
- Learn what site characteristics are important considerations for selecting a design approach and planning a procurement strategy for construction at a hazardous waste site
- Learn what techniques are employed in developing a construction cost estimate, and what the important elements are for the RPM to be aware of and focus on
- Become familiar with the considerations applicable to selecting and managing the type of contract for specific site characteristics
The target audience for this course is RPMs and managers who do not possess extensive experience in managing
construction projects at hazardous waste sites.
By taking this course, participants will receive 3.75 unit hours of contracts training toward the Clinger-Cohen Act (Maloney Bill) requirements.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Sediment Remedies will provide RPMs a summary of practical information on how to evaluate the technical suitability
of dredging, capping, and monitored natural recovery (MNR) remedies for contaminated sediments. The course will focus
on the issues and limitations associated with each alternative
including information on designing remedies that maximize
long-term effectiveness and minimize short-term impacts.
It also will discuss case studies involving dredging,
capping, and MNR. By taking the course,
participants will achieve the following objectives:
- Learn about the equipment for and design/implementation of dredging and capping remedies
- Discuss key issues in evaluating and monitoring dredging, capping, and MNR
- Become familiar with EPA’s new Contaminated Sediment Remediation Guidance for Hazardous Waste Sites
- Learn about resources, references, and Web sites useful in evaluating sediment remedies
This full-day course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Vapor Intrusion (VI) - Remedial Design will provide technical information on the design and operation of active mitigation
systems and passive VI barriers. VI refers to the migration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from
contaminated soils and ground water to and into occupied buildings. The presence of VOCs in indoor air may pose an
inhalation risk to building occupants. Typically, VI arises as a result of the expansion of contaminated ground water plumes
beyond property boundaries into and under commercial and residential buildings, although VI may also arise from
contaminated soils (for example, underground storage tanks) or landfills. New or existing commercial and residential
buildings that are impacted by VI may require engineered barriers to mitigate the human health risks associated with VI.
This course is sponsored by the TSP Engineering Forum and EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
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Category C: Technology and Contaminant-Specific Topics
Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPL) will provide a basic description of the behavior of LNAPLs; specifically,
petroleum hydrocarbon liquids in the subsurface. Participants will build a foundation for discussing LNAPL behavior and
gain a general understanding about how the behavior of LNAPL in the subsurface has changed over the years. By taking
this course, participants also will learn how aquifer properties like porosity, saturation, and capillary pressure affect LNAPL
distribution and how fluid properties like viscosity, density, and interfacial and surface tension affect LNAPL distribution and
recovery. Presenters will introduce methods of predicting and evaluating LNAPL recovery, discuss some assessment methods
and techniques, and look at core photos taken from actual LNAPL plumes. The course will conclude with five case studies
that will illustrate how the basic concepts conveyed in this course have been applied in the real world.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Remedial Technologies Overview will offer short presentations on several technologies that may be used in the
remediation of contaminated sites. Each presentation will last approximately one hour including time for questions and
answers and discussion. The first part of the presentation will introduce the technology, explain it, and discuss situations
where it might be used. The second part of the presentation will be devoted to lessons learned about the technology. The
technologies that will be discussed are:
- Sheet pile walls
- Electrical resistive heating for DNAPLs
- Permeable reactive zones
- In well strippers
This course is sponsored by the TSP Engineering Forum and EPA’s Environmental Response Team.
Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals for RPMs is designed for RPMs with no or limited experience in providing
wastewater treatment oversight during a remedial response. The course will focus on the types of wastewater that a RPM
might encounter; it will not address storm water or sanitary wastewater. The course will provide a basic overview of the
regulatory issues associated with wastewater treatment and the regulations that influence treatment methodology. By taking
this course, RPMs will gain an understanding of the important components of wastewater treatment. The course also will
identify regulatory issues associated with wastewater treatment, treated water discharge, and residual waste management.
RPMs will be able to review the types of wastewater treatment available and learn the sequence of steps in the development
of a wastewater treatment system; these steps included making decisions about residual waste management, equipment
selection, the order of equipment in the treatment system, and system sizing. The course also will allow RPMs to examine the
capabilities and limitations of conventional wastewater treatment equipment components.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
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Category D: Resources and Tools
Advanced Media and Spokesperson Training Workshop is designed to enhance the participants’ confidence in order to
explain your work and discuss tough issues. What you say and how you say it is critical to getting information out to the
news media, community groups, and others. Participants will learn:
- How to prepare for interviews or public speaking engagements
- How to craft their organization's messages
- How to deliver their messages effectively even during a crisis
This highly interactive course features customized scenarios relevant to each participant's programs or projects, and numerous
one-on-one videotaped sessions with professional interviewers. The course enrollment is limited and is open to participants
who have taken Working with the News Media or another media and spokesperson training courses.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Conflict Management - Crucial Conversations will focus on the available various tools that can open the doors to
building positive, collaborative relationships. What is conflict and how do we manage these types of situations? There are
many tools and processes on the market to guide us to successfully managing through conflict situations; those that we need
to have a crucial conversation with a friend, a colleague or a customer. So, what are these crucial conversations? Simply
stated, it is a discussion between two or more people where (1) the stakes are high, (2) opinions vary, and (3) emotions run
strong. This overview session will provide participants with a description of the tools from the best-selling book "Crucial Conversations."
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Contracts Training will provide participants with a greater understanding of different types of contracts and further
explanation of the new contract training requirements. A team of contracting officers will provide case studies and
interactive discussions to cover the following topics:
- The Performance-Based Service Contracts (PBSC)
module will provide an overview of the federal policy
to use PBSC methods when possible. PBSC is an
approach that uses outcome-based work statements
consisting of objectives, measurable performance
standards, quality assurance surveillance plans,
and incentives. Examples of PBSC RA construction projects will be presented
during the module.
- The Procurement Challenges faced during
the Hurricane Katrina Response module will
focus on how EPA personnel should acquire
supplies and how to use service contracts to
respond to a natural disaster or other
emergencies. This interactive forum will provide
discussions on procurement tools related to
purchasing in emergency situations and will focus
specifically on Hurricane Katrina and Rita examples.
- The Indefinite Quantity/Indefinite Delivery (ID/IQ) Fixed Rate Contracts module will focus on how this type of contract
differs from cost plus contracting arrangements. The standard components of the fixed rate will be identified with a
special focus on program management activities. Additionally, financial and administrative advantages of using this
type of contract will be covered.
- The Contracting Officer Representatives (COR) Training Requirements module will provide an overview of the 40-hour contracts training requirement. The
module will highlight several methods of how to obtain 40 hours of contracts-related training every 2 years in order to
maintain a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative certification.
By taking this course, participants will receive 3.5 unit hours of contracts training toward the Clinger-Cohen Act (Maloney Bill) requirements.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Facilitative Leadership - Managing Productive Meetings will address how to more effectively facilitate meetings.
Meetings are an important part of the collaborative process we use in the workplace today. However, all too often we find
ourselves in meetings that (1) have no leadership, (2) have no purpose, and (3) accomplish little. Learn some of the tools
that successful facilitators use in meetings that help to move your team forward and hold members accountable for agreed
upon actions. Participates will learn tips for facilitating creative and effective meetings from preparation, running, closing,
and conducting a meeting overview.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Introduction to Real Estate for Government Regulators will provide regulators with further knowledge about
several basic real estate principles, an understanding of the redevelopment process, provide approaches to working effectively
with real estate developers, and discuss how government environmental programs and environmental issues impact the
private real estate development process.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Land Revitalization.
Project Management Skills for RPMs will provide participants a foundation in successful project management
principles and techniques. This course provides an introduction to the management of projects to help you and your team
members create, plan, implement, and complete successful projects on time and within budget. Participants will learn:
- The knowledge, tools, techniques, and best practices to successfully manage a project from initiation to final closeout
- Examine the role of the project manager in managing the project by defining tasks by creating work breakdown structures (WBS), scheduling, employing estimating methodologies for calculating required resources, allocating resources, monitoring, and controlling
- Develop effective, realistic project plans using proven techniques (Responsibility matrix, Program Evaluation and Review Technicaques (PERT) charts, Network diagrams) and scheduling techniques to create achievable schedules (Critical Path, Gantt charts)
- Keep the project on track by establishing baselines, monitoring progress, managing changes, and updating the project plan
- Work with attorneys, risk assessors, community involvement coordinators, contractors, USACE, U.S. Geological Society, stakeholders, team members, and managers effectively through the duration of the project
- Understand project risks through planning to identify, assess, and mitigate the effects of unexpected changes or influences
- Discover tools, techniques, and tips for successful project management
- Close out a project and capture essential lessons learned for repeatable projects
The course also provides an introduction to project management certification programs, such as Project Management
Professional (PMP), Certified Project Manager (CPM), and Registered Environmental Manager (REM), that may be of
interest to RPMs wishing to gain additional skills and recognition.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Risk and Crisis Communication will provide insights and strategies for establishing trusting working relationships with
communities and other interest groups. Poor relationships or lack of trust are usually where the more contentious problems
emerge. That, combined with community concerns and perceptions can be powerful forces that create delays, increase
work, and elevate fears. Successful relationships are the foundation for productive problem-solving. This course will
provide case studies illustrating the successes and difficulties one might expect. By taking this course, participants will be
able to eliminate a variety of common concerns and misperceptions and develop solutions to improve communication and
understanding. The goal of this course is to engage the participants in a discussion on how to successfully work with the
public. Participants will learn how to provide a broader perspective about how everyone working on a project contributes
to its success.
The instructional methodology for this course includes interactive discussions, video examples, and examples of real case
studies.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
Working with the News Media will help participants understand how to communicate with the news media, print
media, television, radio, and the Internet. Media and spokesperson training is a must for any RPM called upon to speak
on behalf of his or her project or site. Building good relationships with the news media, as well as knowing
what you want to say and exactly how to say it, is critical to getting accurate information about your site or other EPA issues
across to your diverse audiences. This half-day session will help participants understand how to work with the news media,
newspapers, television, radio, magazine, and the Internet. By participating in the course, participants will learn:
- How newsrooms operate
- What makes news "news"
- What reporters and producers look for in a news source
- How to communicate your messages effectively, even during a crisis
The workshop also will feature a real life case study of the controversial Superfund site in Libby, Montana.
This course is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
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