NJ Compost Operator Certification Course

Learn NJDEP regulatory requirements, scientific principles of composting, and practical strategies to improve your compost facility’s operation. Includes site visit!

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Course Status: Not Currently Scheduled

The next offering of this course will be held in September 2023. Please join our email list to be notified when registration opens!

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Course Details

Course Name: NJ Compost Operator Certification Course
Course Code: ER0303YB23
Date of Most Recent Offering: March 30 & 31, 2023

Date: TBD (Participants must attend both days of the class.)
Time for Day 1: TBD am – TBD pm EDT
Time for Day 2: TBD am – TBD am EDT

Location for Day 1: Online
Location for Day 2: In person site visit to compost facility in Hamilton Township, NJ (registrants will receive directions to exact location)
Format: Hybrid course; Online class session on Day 1 and in-person site visit on Day 2

Registration Fee: $TBDper person
Multi Person Discount Fee: $TBD per person (Save when you sign up with a colleague!)

Registration closes: TBD

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

N.J.A.C. 7:26A – 1.4(a)(14)(xiv) states that all operators of composting facilities in New Jersey must “attend a composting course…..approved by the Department.” The NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education, in conjunction with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and in cooperation with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, has developed this course which meets the requirements of the regulations and will help you to improve your facility’s operation.

NOTE: This course will be held in a hybrid format. Day 1 will be an online class session running from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm (with a lunch break); Day 2 will be an in-person visit to the Hamilton Township (Mercer County) compost facility that will begin at 9:30 am and run until approximately 11:30 am. You must attend both days of the class in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

Featured Topics

  • NJDEP Regulatory Requirements
  • The Scientific Principles of Composting, or “Why Compost Happens”
  • How to Avoid the “Murphy’s Law” of Composting and What to Do When the Law Strikes (Health and Odor Issues)

Who Should Attend?

If you are looking to become a certified operator of an NJ composting facility, this class is for you. It is also a great opportunity to earn recertification credits toward your NJ CRP, NJ CPWM, NJ PE, or NJ HO/REHS license. Past participants have included:

  • Compost Site Managers
  • Clean Communities Coordinators
  • Environmental Health Specialists
  • Environmental Scientists
  • Farm Managers
  • Project Engineers
  • Public Health Professionals
  • Public Works Professionals
  • Recycling Coordinators
  • Recycling Facility Managers

Meet Your Instructor

Wayne DeFeo, DeFeo Associates

Headshot of instructor Wayne DeFeo

Wayne DeFeo is the founder of DeFeo Associates, a full service environmental consulting firm. He is an NJDEP Certified Compost Facility Operator, member of the US Composting Council, and brings over 25 years of experience in the recycling/solid waste field to the classroom. Past students describe him as “funny and engaging” and “very informative” with “great energy and passion for the subject.”

Student Reviews

“The regulatory section was very helpful. I feel I have a firm grip on all of the aspects from permitting to violations now.”

– Past Participant

“[After taking this course, I now] know what the DEP is looking for on inspection [and] how to take corrective action.”

– Past Participant

“The instructor was knowledgeable about the material and was able to provide good tips for inspections.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of the NJ Compost Operator Certification Course was approved for 0.8 Rutgers CEUs and the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The NJ Compost Operator Certification Course is approved for 0.8 Rutgers CEUs, as well as the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 4 Management, 4 Government

NJ Certified Recycling Professionals (CRP): 8 Classroom Recertification Credits

NJ Health Officers and Registered Environmental Health Specialists (HO/REHS): Rutgers University, NJAES, Office of Continuing Professional Education has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Health as a provider of NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs). Participants who complete this course will be awarded 5.0 CEs.

NJ Professional Engineers (PE): 8 Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) Credits

Meals

Place setting icon with napkin, plate, fork, and knifeNo meals will be provided at this course.

Course Requirements and Policies

electronic devices iconTechnology Requirements

This online course will be delivered via Rutgers Canvas learning management system and Zoom.

Equipment you will need to access this training:

  • Laptop or desktop computers are required for this class.
  • Speakers and microphone are not necessary as a call-in option is available.

Once you register with OCPE, you will receive an email from “Rutgers University Canvas” saying, “Click here to finish the registration process,” to create your new account in the Canvas Virtual Platform. If you do not see this message in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folder. The course shell will not open until a week before the start date of class. You will receive an email from Claudine Oleskin with directions and more details for the class.

camera iconPhoto ID Requirement

Each registrant will be asked provide a photo of him/herself holding their government-issued photo ID. This is required by credit boards so that you may receive credits for participating in this online course.

  • You will receive a reminder email prior to the start of the class with further instructions. Wait to receive these instructions before you attempt to upload your ID.
  • The photo must be clear enough that we can read your name and verify that the person pictured on the ID is in fact the person holding it.
  • After an OCPE staff member reviews the picture and verifies your identity, you will have access to participate in the course when it begins.

coronavirus icon COVID-19 Mask & Vaccination Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Registrants attending OCPE events are not currently required to wear face masks or provide proof of vaccination.

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To continue to protect yourself and others:

  • Masks are welcome.
  • If you have symptoms, testing is encouraged.
  • If you feel unwell, please recover at home. Contact us to cancel your registration at 848-932-9271, option 2 or registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Icon of map marker over folded mapLocation Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $75 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

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This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about the NJ Compost Operator Certification Course, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Assistant Director Carol Broccoli

Assistant Director: Carol Broccoli
848-932-7207
carolbr@njaes.rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Claudine Oleskin
848-932-7204
coleskin@njaes.rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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