How to apply
When: A new session begins Feb. 21. Classes are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays until April 10. The deadline to apply is Feb 10.
Where: Applications are available in person at Butler Tech Regional Public Safety Center, 5140 Princeton-Glendale Road, Liberty Twp.; Butler Tech Adult Workforce Office, 3603 Hamilton-Middletown Road, Hamilton; or online at www.butlertech.org. Classes will be held at the public safety center.
Why: Environmental technicians work in the field of brownfield rehabilitation, a growing local industry due to many old industrial sites and aging housing with possible contamination and hazardous materials.
More info: Call Butler Tech at (513) 645-8350.
Any unemployed or underemployed Butler or Warren county resident could receive free training at Butler Technology and Career Development Schools to become environmental field technicians.
The area’s many old industrial properties and aging housing stock make environmental technicians a growing career field for brownfield rehabilitation, said Kelly Bivins, Butler Tech recruitment outreach coordinator — adult education.
“We’re trying to connect workers with available jobs and train them in a career that there are opportunities in,” Bivins said.
A brownfield is real property that might contain a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant that affects its redevelopment or reuse, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The tearing down of buildings on these properties needs done in a way that doesn’t create an environmental hazard and brings it to compliance, said Bob Hasselfeld, Butler Tech director of fire, EMS and paramedic education.
“In this area, as in any of the rust belt areas, there are a lot of the older manufacturing sites and construction sites that have used materials that are no longer considered to be acceptable for construction,” Hasselfeld said.
A new session of the environmental job training begins Feb. 21. Classes are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays until April 10. The deadline to apply is Feb 10.
Butler Tech is taking a total of 21 employable people for the course, Bivins said.
Environmental technicians can help clean up hazardous waste, test for environmental contamination and compliance, do soil, water and air sampling, or emergency cleanup, Hasselfeld said.
Many of the jobs are at private contractors. A typical starting salary is $24,000 to $25,000 a year.
“We are preparing them for an entry level job in this field,” he said.
The upcoming course offers specialized training in environmental clean-up, lead abatement, asbestos abatement and mold remediation, according to Butler Tech. Upon completion, students can take tests for state licenses or certificates in those areas. Under the grant program, the costs to take the tests are covered, Hasselfeld said.
This is the second time Butler Tech has offered the environmental job training. In 2010, Cincinnati received a $200,000 grant for up to two years from U.S. EPA to train about 60 unemployed and underemployed, minority and low-income residents of brownfield-impacted communities in Hamilton and Butler counties, according to a U.S. EPA website.
Eleven people completed the Butler Tech course in 2011, Bivins said.
Applications are available in person at Butler Tech Regional Public Safety Center, 5140 Princeton-Glendale Road, Liberty Twp.; Butler Tech Adult Workforce Office, 3603 Hamilton-Middletown Road, Hamilton; or call (513) 645-8350. Applications are also available online at butlertech.org.
Participants have the following requirements:
• 18 years of age;
• resident of Butler or Warren counties;
• high school diploma or GED;
• valid driver’s license;
• pass a drug test, physical and be able to lift 40 pounds; and
• provide a background check, three references and personal letter stating why you would like to enter the program.
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