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Course Descriptions and Dates

106  SOIL PROFILE DESCRIPTIONS
Course Content
This full-day course will focus on the skills and terminology used when preparing a complete soil profile description. The class will be held in the field, where participants will write their own soil profile descriptions at four (4) representative test probe locations. At each site, the following soil features will be addressed: color, texture, structure, consistence, rock fragment content, redoximorphic features, and limiting conditions, as defined by Chapter 73 of the regulations.

This course is not mandatory, and it does not have an in-class test. However, the course may help you prepare for the mandatory #109 Advanced Soils course. Both courses use the same soil profile description field sheets.
Credit Hours
SEOs will receive six (6) continuing education credit hours for successfully completing this course.
Test
There is no in-class test for this course. However, a Web-based posttest will be available in the future.
Instructors
Experienced soil scientists who are SEOs or have onlot experience, and DEP soil scientists.
Fee
There is no fee to attend this course.
Schedule
Registration 7:30 a.m.
Course 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Course Dates and Locations
Date Location County
9/9/2008

Scheduled
Bald Eagle State Park

FULL
Centre
4/29/2009

Scheduled
Maurice Goddard State Park Mercer
6/2/2009

Scheduled
Codorus State Park York
9/10/2009

Scheduled
Mt. Pisgah State Park Bradford
10/20/2009

Scheduled
Springton Manor Farms Chester
109  ADVANCED SOILS
Course Content
This two-day advanced course deals with the concepts and terminology necessary to understand soil development, formation, classification, composition, and physical and chemical properties as they relate to onlot sewage disposal. Emphasis is placed on soil description and interpretation as they relate to identifying limiting zones in a three-dimensional landscape. Laboratory and field exercises will reinforce lecture material.

Mandatory Course

DEP has determined that to remain certified as an SEO, every SEO certified on or before June 30, 2004, must successfully complete the Advanced Soils course by June 30, 2008. SEOs certified between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2006, must complete the course by June 30, 2010. SEOs certified between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2008, must complete the course by June 30, 2012. Successful completion means that an SEO must attend the entire two-day course and pass the test with a score of at least 70 percent.
Credit Hours
Attendees will receive nine (9) continuing education credit hours for attending the entire two-day course and nine (9) continuing education credit hours for successfully passing the test.
Test
The course includes a three-part test. Part one is a written test, and parts two and three are practical tests. All parts of the test will be given at the end of the course. To successfully complete the course, an SEO must score at least 70 percent on the entire test. All three parts of the test are equally weighted.
Instructors
Experienced soil scientists who are SEOs or have onlot experience, and DEP soil scientists.
Fee
There is no fee to attend this course and take the test. However, a $50 registration deposit is required 30 days prior to the course. All checks must be made payable to “PSATS.” This deposit is needed to guarantee each registrant’s seat and will be returned upon arrival for the first day of class. If a registrant fails to attend the class and did not cancel his or her registration at least eight (8) days in advance of the class, his or her registration fee is forfeited.
Schedule
Day 1: Registration 7:30 a.m.
Course 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Day 2: Course 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Course Dates and Locations
Date Location County
7/17/2008
7/18/2008

COMPLETED
Springton Manor Farms Chester
9/30/2008
10/1/2008

Scheduled
Penn State Ag Progress Days Farm

FULL
Centre
5/19/2009
5/20/2009

Scheduled
Delaware Valley College Bucks
9/29/2009
9/30/2009

Scheduled
Murrysville Park Westmoreland County
5/11/2010
5/12/2010

Scheduled
Penn State Ag Progress Days Farm Centre
206  CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION TECHNIQUES
Course Content
SEOs will receive six (6) continuing education credit hours for successfully completing this course.
Credit Hours
This full-day course focuses on practices that ensure an onlot sewage disposal system is installed correctly. The course will cover preconstruction and interim inspections, installation of system components, and additional inspections. Group discussions will allow participants to share suggestions and ideas from SEOs around the state. Resources to assist SEOs in educating others about the importance of good construction practices will also be provided.
Test
A Web-based posttest, worth 1.5 credits is available.
Instructors
Experienced SEOs.
Fee
There is no fee to attend this course.
Schedule
Registration 7:30 a.m.
Course 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Course Dates and Locations
Date Location County
12/4/2008

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Morgantown

FULL
Berks
1/27/2009

Scheduled
Clarion Hotel Lackawanna
1/20/2010

Scheduled
Nittany Lion Inn Centre
3/2/2010

Scheduled
Days Inn & Conference Center Butler
207  ENFORCEMENT I
Course Content
This full-day course will help SEOs understand their role in enforcing the Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) and the regulations related to onlot sewage disposal systems. They will learn about the legal process that supports them in the enforcement of Act 537 and Title 25. This course covers the basics of enforcement including laws and documents that provide authority for enforcement, investigating potential malfunctions, choosing and initiating the proper course of action, and understanding the rights of those involved in the process.
Credit Hours
SEOs will receive six (6) continuing education credit hours for successfully completing this course.
Test
A Web-based posttest, worth 1.5 credits, is available.
Instructors
Experienced SEOs.
Fee
There is no fee to attend this course.
Schedule
Registration 7:30 a.m.
Course 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Course Dates and Locations
Date Location County
11/18/2008

Scheduled
Clarion Hotel Lackawanna
1/21/2009

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Uniontown Fayette
9/24/2009

Scheduled
Days Inn/Conference Center Crawford
2/23/2010

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Morgantown Berks
208  ENFORCEMENT II
Course Content
This full-day course will help SEOs understand their role in enforcing the Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) and the regulations related to onlot sewage disposal systems. They will learn about the legal process that supports them in the enforcement of Act 537 and Title 25. This course will cover such topics as use of search warrants, collecting and preserving evidence, understanding courtroom procedures, and being a credible witness.
Credit Hours
SEOs will receive six (6) continuing education credit hours for successfully completing this course.
Test
There is no in-class test for this course. However, a Web-based posttest will be available in the future.
Instructors
Experienced SEOs.
Fee
There is no fee to attend this course.
Schedule
Registration 7:30 a.m.
Course 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Course Dates and Locations
Date Location County
11/19/2008

Scheduled
Clarion Hotel

FULL
Lackawanna
1/22/2009

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Uniontown Fayette
9/25/2009

Scheduled
Days Inn/Conference Center Crawford
2/24/2010

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Morgantown Berks
210  TECHNICAL DECISION MAKING (TDM) for MALFUNCTION RESOLUTION
Course Content
The focus of this one-day course is to explain DEP’s flow chart defining the decision making process that should be implemented when issuing permits for malfunctioning systems. This course will also expose SEOs to various options that may be available to correct a malfunctioning system. Participants will be presented with real-life malfunction situations and allowed to work through the suggested decision making process from start to finish.
Credit Hours
SEOs will receive six (6) continuing education credit hours for successfully completing this course.
Test
A Web-based posttest, worth 2.0 credits, is available.
Instructors
Experienced SEOs.
Fee
There is no fee to attend this course.
Schedule
Registration 7:30 a.m.
Course 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Course Dates and Locations
Date Location County
11/6/2008

Scheduled
PSATS Training Center Cumberland
2/3/2009

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Lehigh Valley

FULL
Lehigh County
3/18/2009

Scheduled
Days Inn & Conference Center Butler
10/29/2009

Scheduled
Nittany Lion Inn Centre
3/23/2010

Scheduled
Clarion Hotel Lackawanna
211  SITE EVALUATION AND TESTING
Course Content
This two-day course will teach SEOs site evaluation and testing details that have not been previously covered in other SEO training courses. Participants will learn about the importance of planning, permitting, land features, soil mapping, soil descriptions, and slope as it relates to site evaluation and testing. The importance of thorough preparation work, site testing, and construction methods will also be reviewed.
Credit Hours
SEOs will receive twelve (12) continuing education credit hours for successfully completing this course. No partial credits will be given for attending one day of the course.
Test
The Web-based posttest is available.
Instructors
Experienced SEOs.
Fee
There is no fee to attend this course.
Schedule
Day 1: Registration 7:30 a.m.
Course 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Day 2: Course 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Course Dates and Locations
Date Location County
8/19/2008
8/20/2008

COMPLETED
Holiday Inn Morgantown Berks
8/27/2008
8/28/2008

COMPLETED
Nittany Lion Inn Centre
11/13/2008
11/14/2008

Scheduled
PSATS Training Center Cumberland
6/10/2009
6/11/2009

Scheduled
Delaware Valley College Bucks
7/21/2009
7/22/2009

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Downtown Lycoming
8/13/2009
8/14/2009

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Morgantown Berks
4/13/2010
4/14/2010

Scheduled
Days Inn & Conference Center Butler
6/9/2010
6/10/2010

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Uniontown Fayette
214  TROUBLESHOOTING ONLOT SYSTEMS
Course Content
This one-day course will focus on a systematic approach to assist SEOs with the investigation of regulatory malfunctions. The course will teach SEOs how to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of a malfunction. Participants will also receive information on tools and technology that may assist with the troubleshooting process, field docuemnts to assist the SEO in the malfunction investigation, and resources that may be used to educate homeowners on the prevention of malfunctions.
Credit Hours
SEOs will receive six (6) continuing education credit hours for successfully completing this course.
Test
There is no in-class test for this course. However, a Web-based posttest will be available in the future.
Instructors
Experienced SEOs
Fee
There is no fee to attend this course.
Schedule
Registration 7:30 a.m.
Course 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Course Dates and Locations
Date Location County
1/7/2009

Scheduled
PSATS Training Center

FULL
Cumberland
1/15/2009

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Downtown Lycoming
2/9/2009

Scheduled
Clarion Hotel Lackawanna
2/18/2009

Scheduled
Holiday Inn West Chester

FULL
Chester
3/5/2009

Scheduled
Nittany Lion Inn Centre
4/2/2009

Scheduled
Days Inn & Conference Center Butler
11/5/2009

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Uniontown Fayette
1/28/2010

Scheduled
Holiday Inn Lehigh Valley Lehigh County


 

 

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