The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, the Georgia Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), and the Department of Natural Resources/Environmental Protection Division (DNR/EPD) have developed a 30-hour training program leading to certification for landfill operators in the State of Georgia.

This course prepares students for certification or recertification. The four-day session covers topics such as state regulations, acts, and compliance inspections; the history of SWM; planning and waste reduction; site selection; design and permitting; landfill development; landfill operations; waste acceptance; landfill math and surveying; landfill monitoring; closure/post-closure; and much more. The course concludes with a certification exam.

The State of Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Manage-ment Act requires that all solid waste landfills in the state be staffed at all times by trained and certified landfill operators. The legislation also calls for certification of all landfill inspectors.

The law states that an individual seeking landfill operator certification must be a high-school graduate or must have completed an accredited GED program, must have at least six months of experience as a landfill operator in the State of Georgia, or must be employed by the State of Georgia for the purpose of conducting landfill compliance inspections.

The training will be held at The Georgia Center, the University of Georgia's Conference Center and Hotel in Athens, Georgia. Each participant will receive an amended training manual and a calculator to use during class.

In addition, The Georgia Center will provide lunch and refreshment breaks each day.

Each Georgia landfill operator or state landfill inspector who successfully completes the training program will receive a certificate identifying her/him as having satisfied her/his obligation under the state law. Every other attendee completing the course with a passing grade will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Anyone who completes the training will earn 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Participants who fail the exam may register to retake it one time (during a scheduled Georgia Landfill Operator Certification Training Workshop) for a fee of $50. The exam is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Those who fail the exam a second time must retake the entire course at the regular course fee.

Landfill Recertification

Georgia legislation states that a certified operator is to maintain certification by completing 30 hours of addi-tional, approved, landfill-related training every five years following the original date of certification.

A group of courses has been designed to assist you in meet-ing these state requirements. These courses, however, are not limited to the certified operator only. Anyone looking to improve productivity on the job or to acquire additional job-related skills should attend.

Options for recertification are:

• Completing the Georgia Landfill Operator Certification Training Workshop. By law, this course will be offered at least twice a year. The regular course fee will apply. You will be required to submit an application for recertification after completion. Sitting for the written exam will not be necessary.
• Attending landfill-related training courses offered by the University of Georgia or other institutions. Credits for these classes will be reviewed by the Operator Training Advisory Committee. Only those programs meeting the standards of the training mission will be approved. You must send a verification of attendance, a description of course content, and the total units of hours awarded.

Submit the formal application for recertification to the Georgia Chapter of SWANA as soon as you have acquired 30 hours of additional training. The Operator Training Advisory Committee will verify that recertification training requirements have been met. Notice of recertification will be mailed on your five-year anniversary date after receipt of a $50 recertification fee. (There is no recertification fee if you opt to become recertified by attending a current Georgia Landfill Operator Certification Training Workshop.) If recertification is not met by the anniversary date, your certification will be cancelled. In order to become active again, you will be required to go through the Certified Operator Training process, pass the exam, and acquire a new number.

Application for Certification/Recertification

Please download, complete, and bring the appropriate form with you to the workshop. Do not mail these forms to the Georgia Center with your registration.

• Application for Certification


• Application for Recertification

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

3.0 CEU credits will be awarded for this program by the University of Georgia.

Site Location

The Georgia Center
The University of Georgia's
Conference Center & Hotel
1197 South Lumpkin Street
Athens, Georgia
www.georgiacenter.uga.edu

About Your Event

The Georgia Center
The Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel, located on the beautiful, historic campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, provides educational conferences, courses, and programs for lifelong learners. A total living and learning environment, the Georgia Center includes a 200-room hotel, restaurants, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and a computer lab — all under one roof. As a unit of UGA's Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, the Center brings the University's teaching, research, and service expertise to the people of Georgia and beyond! For more information, visit www.georgiacenter.uga.edu.

Special Needs
If you require special services or have dietary restrictions, contact Jean Mann at 706-542-2237 or Jean.Mann@georgiacenter.uga.edu, at least five business days before your event.

Lodging at the Georgia Center Hotel
For your convenience, a block of rooms is being held for your event until 5:00 p.m. ET, three weeks prior to the starting date. Policies: (1) Tax Exemption — The State of Georgia only allows tax-exempt charges for a payment by a state-issued credit card or check or by a direct bill to a state agency (with a Georgia State Tax Exemption Certificate). (2) Lodging Cancellation — Cancel your reservation by 4:00 p.m. ET the day prior to your scheduled arrival to avoid being charged one night's room and tax. (3) Check-in is 4:00 p.m. ET; checkout is 11:00 a.m. ET. (4) At check-in, you must present your method of payment or a completed credit card authorization form (call 800-884-1381 for a copy, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET).

Travel Information
Athens, Georgia, is located about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta. For directions and airport shuttle information, see www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/directions. A parking deck is located adjacent to the Center ($10 per night; vehicle height limit, 7 feet). Athens is served by Athens-Ben Epps Airport as well as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is located about 90 minutes southwest of Athens. Scheduled ground shuttle service and rental car services are available between Hartsfield-Jackson and the Georgia Center.

Event Cancellation Policies
(1) A cancellation received by 5:00 p.m. ET on or before five business days prior to your event, will be refunded, minus a $35 processing fee. No refunds will be issued thereafter; substitutions will be allowed. (2) To change or cancel your registration, call 800-884-1381, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. (3) If an event is cancelled for any reason, the Georgia Center will not be responsible for any charges related to travel.

For More Information, Contact...

Julie Small
The University of Georgia
Center for Continuing Education
1197 South Lumpkin Street, Suite 298
Athens, Georgia 30602-3603
Telephone: 706-542-3536
Fax: 706-542-6465
Julie.Small@georgiacenter.uga.edu

Registration