The Groundwater High-Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC) training course focuses on groundwater characterization and discusses (1) the impacts of subsurface heterogeneity on the investigation and cleanup of groundwater and related media, (2) the need for scale-appropriate measurements and adequate data density, and (3) the tools and strategies that are available to overcome the impacts of subsurface heterogeneity. The course addresses the following technical content:

• Defining and explaining the need for and benefits of HRSC
• Understanding the sources and attributes of subsurface heterogeneity and their impact on hydrogeology, contaminant fate and transport, and source and plume relationships
• Defining and using scale-appropriate measurements, adequate data density and collaborative data sets
• Explaining the application of HRSC to the characterization of integrated media, including groundwater, soil, soil vapor, surface water, sediments and bedrock
• Evaluating potentially applicable tools for subsurface investigations of shallow unconsolidated environments, deep unconsolidated environments, fractured and porous media, and the groundwater and surface water interface
• Developing effective HRSC implementation and investigation strategies
• Managing and visualizing HRSC data for decision making
• Applying HRSC to remedy design, implementation and optimization

After taking this course, participants will be armed with information that will allow them to improve their subsurface investigation approaches and develop more realistic and comprehensive conceptual site models (CSM). CSMs developed based on HRSC strategies and tools will decrease site uncertainty, improve the remedy selection process for groundwater remedies, and better enable the evaluation, design, and implementation of targeted in situ and ex situ groundwater remedies.

The Groundwater HRSC course is an advanced 3-day course. The recommended audience includes EPA, federal, state, and tribal technical project managers, practitioners and other stakeholders involved in groundwater investigation and remediation.THE COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.

Please note pre-work is required for this course. Attendees will be required to listen to recordings of a two-part webinar series that will cover introductory materials including an introduction to HRSC and hydrogeology and the impacts of subsurface heterogeneity. Each webinar recording is 2.5 hours long and is presented by the same instructors involved in the classroom portion of the training. Please remember if you plan to attend a classroom version of the course, you must provide documentation that you listened to both recordings. After listening to the recordings and completing the evaluation form, you will receive a certificate of completion. Please email a copy of both certificates to Jodi McCarty, ICF at jodi.mccarty@icf.com prior to the classroom delivery you are registered for.

The recordings of the introductory modules can be found here: Module 1 - https://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/HRSC_021422/ and Module 2 - https://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/HRSC_021722/. Remember this is a two-part series so you must listen to both sessions prior to the classroom delivery. 

If you have any questions regarding the webinars, please feel free to contact Jodi McCarty, ICF at jodi.mccarty@icf.com.
 

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

Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA) focuses on aspects of the RD/RA phase of a Superfund project and the objectives, issues and challenges that Remedial Project Managers (RPM) face during response planning and implementation. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Identify steps for implementing and completing an RD/RA project under Superfund. The course provides a comprehensive examination of the RD/RA process.
• Describe the overall effort needed to conduct an RD/RA project and identify and anticipate the difficulties that can arise during such an effort. The course provides practical guidance that helps both engineers and RPMs who have other backgrounds effectively implement the design and construction phases of a Superfund cleanup.
• Describe the role of the RPM as a project manager. The course examines the crucial role of the RPM in planning an RD/RA project; effectively managing contracting, scheduling, budgeting and other aspects of the effort; coordinating activities with states and tribes; conducting effective community relations efforts; and more.
• Apply the skills they have developed to real-life situations. The course provides RPMs the opportunity to work through realistic case studies that highlight actual issues and problems that can arise.

RD/RA is a 2-day training course and is intended primarily for RPMs who have two or more years of experience or who currently are or soon will be involved in an RD/RA project. The course is also open to other federal, state and tribal personnel. 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.*

Incremental Sampling is a two-day course that provides an overview of incremental sampling concepts to address soil heterogeneity and obtain soil samples that are representative of the site. The course also includes an introduction to using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in conjunction with incremental sampling to support real-time decision making for characterization and cleanup. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand how soil heterogeneity affects data variability and how incremental sampling controls heterogeneity.
• Calculate common statistical parameters used to support quality control and analysis of incremental sampling.
• Build the introductory skills needed to plan, design, collect, and analyze incremental soil samples with robust data quality considerations.
• Understand the theory and operation of XRF and how it is used in the field to collect high-quality metal concentration data.
• Receive hands-on training for designing an incremental sampling approach, collecting incremental samples, calculating statistical parameters, and taking XRF measurements on prepared soil samples.

The training course uses a combination of lectures and interactive scenarios for participants to practice and discuss sampling design based on a site’s conceptual site model, present case studies and lessons learned for a variety of applications and contaminant scenarios and provide an opportunity for hands-on demonstration of incremental sampling and subsampling tools and approaches. 

Managing Contracts: Focus on the Invoice is a full-day intermediate training course that will provide detailed information on the role the RPM plays in review, approval, and payment of invoices. By taking the course, RPMs will be better able to meet their responsibilities regarding contractor invoices. The course will cover the following:

• Overview of the role of the invoice in Agency accounting and cost control
• Review of the roles and responsibilities of the CO, PO, RPM, and Research Triangle Park (RTP) for general contracting activities and, specifically, for invoice review, approval or disapproval, and payment or disallowance of payment
• Detailed description of the role and responsibilities of the RPM with regard to invoice review
• Identifying specific EPA guidance to assist the RPM in carrying out delegated responsibilities
• Detailed breakdown and description of each element of the invoice and each cost component in the invoice, from the high level roll-ups and summaries to the detailed breakdowns
• Tips and pointers on how to review an invoice and how to resolve potential discrepancies identified during the review
• An exercise that allows participants to practice reviewing an invoice and identify potential discrepancies
• Facilitated discussion on the challenges RPMs face when they review invoices

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, a group exercise, and facilitated discussion. The target audience for this course is RPMs with at least 2 to 3 years of experience in managing work assignments and task orders.

Registration for this training is open to U.S. EPA employees ONLY.

The Removal Process course provides On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and others who support the removal program with fundamental information and practical knowledge needed to plan, conduct or support removal actions effectively in response to releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants as well as discharges of oil under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The Removal Process course is structured to follow the framework of the NCP. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn to carry out the step-by-step process of conducting a removal action. The course follows the chain of events from site discovery to completion of the removal action, demonstrating how the enforcement process is integrated into various phases of the removal process.
• Understand the authorities and limitations of an OSC during a removal action. The course provides a comprehensive review of statutory and regulatory requirements, including an overview of response authority, requirements for public participation and regulations governing contracting services.
• Understand the Incident Command System/Unified Command (ICS/UC) and an OSC’s role during an emergency response. This course strengthens an OSC’s ability to use the ICS/UC effectively and reiterates the roles and responsibilities of an OSC during emergency responses to releases of hazardous substances. The course examines the organization of the ICS/UC and provides a thorough discussion of the planning and support functions associated with the ICS/UC.
• Use their newly developed knowledge and skills to solve real-life problems. Participants are challenged to apply the information and knowledge acquired during the course to realistic exercises and case studies and will be presented with tools and resources available to the OSC.

The Removal Process course is an intermediate 4.5 day training that is geared towards OSCs and other responders or removal program personnel (Headquarters regional coordinators, Removal Managers, enforcement personnel and Special Team members) who are responsible for or need to know about removal response activities under CERCLA as well as the Oil Pollution Act (OPA)/Clean Water Act (CWA). Other Federal Agency OSCs and State OSCs will also be permitted to attend, but priority will be given to EPA OSCs. 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 Removal Process course.

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

The ARARs Academy is a beginner- to intermediate-level course that focuses on applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) in the remedial program. The course builds on the ARAR material presented in other CEC courses, such as Fundamentals of Superfund and Remedial Process. Participants will have the opportunity to examine the topic in more detail and apply the course concepts to site-specific situations. The ARARs Academy includes a webinar and in-class portion, both of which are required. The webinar portion will provide the participants with the foundation necessary to complete the exercises that primarily make up the in-class portion of the course. By completing the ARARs Academy, participants will be better able to:

• Define important terms and apply them when evaluating ARARs
• Describe the regulatory requirements of the common federal statutes often considered ARAR for Superfund actions and explain when they may be ARAR
• Describe ARAR documentation in the ROD including how the selected remedy complies with ARARs
• Explain how state laws and regulations can be ARAR
• Describe the six ARAR waivers and how each might be used

The ARARs Academy consists of three 4-hour webinars and a 2-day in-class training and is recommended for RPMs with at least six months experience and may have assisted other RPMs with Superfund sites or now are preparing to take the lead on Superfund sites. The ARARs Academy may also be a good review for more experienced RPMs. In addition, the ARARs Academy may also be valuable to EPA site attorneys, other Superfund staff, and State personnel supporting Superfund sites. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES. Superfund 101 and the Remedial Process course are prerequisites for attendees to participate in the ARARs Academy.

Please note pre-work is required for this course. Attendees will be required to attend a three-part webinar series that will cover introductory materials including a review of important definitions, the ARAR identification process, ARAR waivers, and a review of the most common Federal ARARs. Each webinar will be 4-hours long. Dates for the live webinars will be sent via email to those registered to attend the classroom training. If you are not able to attend the live webinar series, it will be recorded and a link to the recording will be provided to those registered to attend the classroom training that will allow you to listen at your convenience prior to the classroom delivery. If you have any questions regarding the webinars, please feel free to contact Jodi McCarty, ICF at jodi.mccarty@icf.com.
 

The Superfund Essentials webinar series presents essential information for environmental staff with little Superfund experience. The webinar introduces the Superfund program and gives an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements. The removal and remedial process modules describe the assessment and response process followed by OSCs and RPMs as they address their sites. The webinar closes out by explaining the community involvement program and its role in Superfund and a discussion on the site assessment process. 

Objectives: After taking the webinar series, the participants will be able to (1) explain the provisions and requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), (2) follow the assessment and response process for conducting removal and remedial actions, (3) describe the community involvement program and their part in cleanup actions, and (4) explain the importance of several special topics to the Superfund program.

This series is not open to Academia, consultants, contractors or other private entities. 

RPM 201, an intermediate-level training course, expands on the Remedial Process course. The course is offered as part of the ongoing effort to prepare RPMs for the challenges they will encounter during all aspects of a remedial action. The instructional methodology will include case studies to provide participants an opportunity to apply the skills learned during the course. The course will also include time for participants to ask specific questions about their own sites they currently are working on, as well as emerging technical and programmatic policy and guidance from EPA Headquarters. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn how to manage common issues or concepts at remedial action sites, such as vapor intrusion, sediment removal, contaminated groundwater plumes and green remediation.
• Learn project management skills, including management of a project, forecasting resources and costs, planning meetings, documenting site activities and tracking schedules and costs.
• Learn effective ways to communicate various types of issues at sites to residents and communities.
• Learn how to incorporate optimization into new and existing remedial actions.

RPM 201 is a 2-½-day training recommended for RPMs with at least 2 years of experience and may have assisted other RPMs with remedial actions or now are preparing to take the lead in conducting a remedial action. Superfund 101 and the Remedial Process course are prerequisites for EPA attendees to participate in RPM 201. While RPM 201 may be most beneficial to new RPMs with 5 years of experience or less, the course is very interactive and more experienced RPMs that attend will be encouraged to share their field background 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.*