News & Notes March 2006

Certification Available for District Technicians

Conservation districts with certified professionals on staff demonstrate their commitment to properly training their personnel in erosion and sediment control and storm water quality methods. Conservation district technicians who pursue certification by demonstrating their technical competency benefit by gaining credentials in their field.

Two programs offer certification in erosion and sediment control.

1. Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, Inc. - CPESC offers two certification programs: Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control and Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality.
The erosion and sediment control program is designed for individuals actively involved in the following activities:

• development and review of permits
  
• design and review of plans
  
• installation and inspection of practices
  
• related activities such as assisting regulators, authoring handbooks, and educating the public
  

The storm water quality certification program is designed for individuals actively involved in the following activities:

• development and review of permit applications
  
• design and review of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans
  
• installation and inspection of storm water management practices
  
• related activities such as assisting regulators, authoring handbooks, and educating the public

Upcoming Review Class and Exam Dates
CPESC Exam Review Class
April 18, 2006
Berks County Conservation District Office, Leesport, PA

CPESC Exam
May 3, 2006
Berks County Conservation District Office, Leesport, PA

For information on the exam review class or the exam, contact Warren Cohn at (888) 856-4505 or wcohn@acfenvironmental.com. Application forms are available at www.cpesc.net.

2. National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies - NICET's nationally recognized certification programs are designed by industry experts to provide engineering technology fields with a qualified workforce. The Erosion and Sediment Control Technician certification program is designed for engineering technicians engaged in all phases of erosion and sediment control work.

Areas covered by the certification program include knowledge of:

• soils
  
• the erosion process
  
• small watershed hydrology
  
• hydraulics of basic water control structures
  
• sedimentation process
  
• principles of erosion and sediment control
  
• construction practices
  
• construction inspection
  
• field investigation reports

Testing locations include:
Penn State Altoona Campus
Penn State Abington Campus
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
Harrisburg Area Community College

For testing dates and application deadlines visit www.nicet.org.

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