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For the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tetra Tech helped to develop and currently operates the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Education Center (CEC), a unique training forum for government hazardous waste site managers that focuses on professional development and improved job performance. The CEC is one of EPA’s model training programs, offering a robust training forum that uses innovative training methods and presents regulatory and technical information using proven instructional design techniques and principles.

Using its extensive regulatory knowledge and practical field experience in support of the Superfund program, Tetra Tech assists EPA in developing and delivering regulatory and programmatic training on a variety of issues in the areas of solid and hazardous waste and emergency and remedial response. CEC courses include week-long introductory courses and two- to three-day advanced level courses across a range of topics, including:

• Fundamentals of Superfund
• Field-based site characterization technologies
• On-scene coordinator responsibilities
• Remedial design/remedial action
• Remedial process
• Removal process
• Removal process for remedial project managers
• Waste treatment, transportation, and disposal

Over the past 10 years, Tetra Tech has delivered hundreds of CEC training courses reaching thousands of EPA site managers and other program staff. Most courses are offered several times throughout the year at various locations convenient to EPA regional offices. Tetra Tech provides a broad range of training support, including planning, logistics, development, and on-site delivery, facilitation, and general support. Specifically, Tetra Tech works closely with EPA staff to develop and customize each training course and provide train-the-trainer instruction prior to course delivery to assist EPA and other course instructors in preparing and delivering consistent, high-quality training.

Tetra Tech manages all pre-event logistics and preparations, including selecting and coordinating training facilities, coordinating trainers, preparing instructor and participant training manuals, producing on-site materials (such as name badges, table tents, and evaluation forms), and shipping all training materials. Based on the course and EPA’s needs, Tetra Tech provides on-site facilitators, instructors, and subject matter experts, as appropriate. Following the last delivery of the calendar year, Tetra Tech provides an evaluation report of the feedback received for each course, which is used to improve and enhance the training program.

Highlights:
“It was GREAT to have [Tetra Tech] in Kansas City Region 7. Every word I have heard about the training has been high praise and appreciation. It is a pleasure to work with professionals who take pride in doing a job well.” –EPA Region 7 Manager

“We had a great group and the folks from Tetra Tech did their typical A-one job [and] really made this class happen.” –EPA Region 8 Manager

“I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all the hard work [Tetra Tech] put into developing the materials for the Response Contracts Basic Course… [it] was exactly what the training team was looking for.” –EPA On-Scene Coordinator