Training Requirements for Environmental Consultants Seeking Prequalification from the DOT’s Office of Environment/Location

EAB Training Requirements by Area Class

Beginning in July 2009, the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Office of Environment/Location will require that environmental consultants have specific training before being prequalified to work for the Department. This initiative will help insure that consultant firms are not only familiar with the requirements of the various environmental laws but with GDOT and Federal Agency document standards in Georgia. By requiring training, we also hope to enlarge the pool of qualified consultants. Department environmental staff are expected to take these same courses during their career. Improving the quality of work by both consultants and internal staff will increase productivity and reduce review times, thus providing great improvement in project delivery.

In addition to requiring classes directly associated with the firm’s area class, this program also will require more general classes, e.g. 3-day NEPA and Plan Development Process. The environmental process is multi-disciplinary and collaborative; each team member needs to understand their role within the environmental process. In addition, environmental is only one activity required for project delivery; the environmental team must understand the role and the timing of their efforts.

This requirement will be phased in over the next two years. Beginning in July 2009, certifications demonstrating staff completion of all applicable classes will be required as part of the firm’s prequalification package. Due to the evolving nature of environmental requirements, all courses completed more than five years prior to seeking prequalification must be updated. The Department recommends that each firm have several staff trained in these areas to insure that the company has adequate personnel when submitting project proposals.

A list of required training along with available courses and vendors has been developed. The Department’s Office of Strategic Development (OSD) is scheduling an adequate number of these classes over the next 24 months to allow for a smooth transition.