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Green (and Grey) Thumb:

How Certifications and Workforce Development are Breeding a Generation of Eco-Friendly Crews!

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National Green Infrastructure Certification Program

Daniel Apt

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National Green Infrastructure Certification Program��Daniel Apt, Olaunu – NGICP Certification Committee Chair & Trainer�

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National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP)

Summary:

Sets national certification standards for construction, inspection and maintenance workers
Designed to meet international best practice standards
Aims to advance the establishment of sustainable communities by promoting green infrastructure (GI)
Supports the development of proficient green workforce
Establishes a career path for skilled GI workers

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National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP)

Structure:

Initiated by DC Water and Water Environment Federation
Includes 14 founding partners from across the country
Led by the Board of Directors and includes a Strategic Advisory Council, Certification Committee, and Technical Advisory Group
Body of Knowledge defined by experts
Technical material and test questions based on the Body of Knowledge
Testing provides confirmation that level of understanding meets a basic threshold

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National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP)

Training Material:

In-class training

Lecture - PowerPoint slides
Interactivity - individual/small group exercises

Quizzes, identification of key components of GI practices/systems, etc.

In-field training

Site visits to GI practices and sites
Mock inspections
Identification of key components of GI practices/systems

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National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP)

Information Covered:

Background Information

Introduction to stormwater management and green infrastructure
Materials and vegetation used in GI practices and systems
Safety, site management, and managing for long-term performance

Green Infrastructure Practices

Bioretention
Permeable/porous pavement
Rainwater harvesting
Green/blue roofs
Dry wells
Constructed stormwater wetlands

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National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP)

Information Covered for GI Practices:

Background information

What the GI practice is and how it functions
The components and materials used for the GI practice

Construction

Sequence of construction
Typical/common problems – good/bad examples

Inspection and Maintenance

What to look for – typical/common problems including good/bad examples
Types of corrective action to take

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Module 1

Introduction to Green Infrastructure

Module 2

Common GI Construction Materials

Module 3

Vegetation in GI

Module 4

Safety In and Around GI Sites

Module 5

GI Site Management

Module 6

Bioretention Practices

Module 7

Permeable Pavements

Module 8

Rainwater Harvesting

Module 9

Rooftop Practices

Module 10

Drywells

Module 11

Stormwater Wetlands

Module 12

Basics of Managing GI for Long-Term Performance

TRAINING SEQUENCE

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National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP)

Test Information and Preparation:

Test:

Based on the exam blueprint available on the NGICP website

http://ngicp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/NGICP-Exam-Blueprint-Summary_Nov-2016.pdf

A multiple choice computer-based test
Between 130-140 questions over 3 hours out of which only 100 questions are graded
Offered at Prometric testing locations

Test preparation provided by:

Quizzes and “mock” tests throughout the course
Conclusion module provides opportunity for additional questions on material covered as well as testing information

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NGICP Certification Committee

Convened in 2021after acquisition of NGICP
Daniel Apt, Chair of Certification Committee since convening in 2021
Initial Objectives 2021-2023 (20 CC Meetings)

Review and evaluate overall principles of Green Infrastructure in the NGICP Training
Review inconsistencies in terminology and regionalization in the NGICP manual/modules.
Evaluation of the training hours and additions to the training program
Assist with promotion of the NGICP

Certification Committee hiatus in 2024
Reconvened in 2025 with the following objectives:

Review the program and the modules and compare to the current state of GI practice.
Review the modules and content and develop additional test questions
Review the Body of Knowledge and identify if updates are in order

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NGICP Trainer Experience

Daniel Apt – Trainer since 2017
1^st Training in CA in 2018
Recent Trainings

2022-2024: Orange County Conservation Corps
2025: City of Palo Alto led through a USEPA grant

Participants: City of Palo Alto, City of San Jose, City of Santa Clara, County of Santa Clara, Grass Roots Ecology, San Jose Conservation Corps

Lessons Learned/Major Takeaways

Field component of training with mock inspections is critical
Interactivity in the classroom is essential to learning (adult learning principles)
Various levels of knowledge among trainees enhances the training
Parts of NGICP core curriculum need to be updated to current state of GI practice
Integration of region-specific GI information helps trainees understand local GI

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Philadelphia WATER

Aaron Kirkland

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Aaron Kirkland

PowerCorps_PHL experience

Crew Member, Asst. Crew Leader & Crew Leader
Joined GSO in 2015 as Community Apprentice

Grounds Maintenance Superintendent

Management of GSO Grounds Crews

One🡪 Six crews between 2017 – 2022
Work order management and scheduling

Contract Management

Equipment and bulk materials procurement
Facilities maintenance and upgrades

Development of Training and On-Boarding Content

PWD Apprenticeship Committee
Coordination with GSO Technical Staff

Revision of SOPs
Development of guidance materials
Crew productivity analysis

Coordination with Streets Department

Snow Duty Deployments

Porous/permeable pavement of PWD facilities
Porous ROW Streets
PWD-owned vacant lots

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vv

So Far This Fiscal Year 2025:

474 SMPs
11 SMP Types
4,684 Work Orders
6.2 acres
1,228 trees

1,943 SMPs Maintained Citywide

PWD Grounds Maintenance

GM SMPs Maintained Each Fiscal Year

GM maintains southwest districts

GM Work Orders FY 2025

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4,939

Work Orders Completed

by GM in FY 2024

structural repairs

vegetation repairs

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PowerCorps Volunteers

Apprentices (30 total hired, 23 from PowerCorps)

GM Workers (8 promoted from Apprentices, 1 from PowerCorps)

Crew Chiefs (3 originally Apprentices)

Leadership (2 originally Apprentices)

Career Ladder

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Staff Trainings & Skill Development

Investing in Staff to Build Skills

Center for Watershed Protection Clean Water Certificate Program
Surveying
Inspections
Pruning
Structural Repairs
Planting
Plant Identification
Mulching
CityWorks
Erosion Control
Seeding
Wetland Maintenance
Hydrants
Landscape Plans
Pesticide Usage
Plant Propagation

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Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Christopher Hartman

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NEORSD - Why NGICP?

NEORSD owns 300+ properties (with and without GSI)
A need to provide property maintenance training + job opportunities
Committee established: CDCs, The Cleveland Foundation, Cuyahoga Community College & NEORSD
Completed a GSI Demand Study for NE Ohio (2018): up to 39 FT & 88 PT jobs
NGICP was identified as the best option

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Delivering NGICP

Contracted with WEF – 20 certifications + 2 trainers
Good Neighbor Ambassadors (NEORSD’s workforce development program)
2019 initial class – 5 GNAs, 1 NEORSD staff & 1 external partner
All 7 passed the exam
3 of the 5 GNAs were hired as GSI Maintenance interns
2^nd class in 2020 and 3^rd class in 2022.
In-person vs. virtual training results were very different

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Current GSI O&M Training

3 FT GSI maintenance staff
Reliance of OTJ training and knowledge of O&M manuals
Obtain NGICP and/or Ohio’s Inspection & Maintenance Certification for SCMs

The Ohio State University & Summit Soil and Water Conservation District
2 days - classroom and field exercises (3-yr certification)
Focus on SCM function, common problems/fixes, vegetation management, preventative maintenance, and documentation/reporting

Horticulturist recently hired – internal training on plant care

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O&M Delivery to GI Grant Program Recipients

At time of application:

O&M Plan with listed design features & inspection frequencies
Summary of needed skills & equipment
First year (covered by grant) & long-term budgeting for O&M

Mandatory O&M workshop – Design, Construction & Maintenance
Annual inspection assistance
On call at all times

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Mid-America GSI Certification Program

Natalie Unruh, MUP

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PROGRAM PURPOSE

Verify the skills and knowledge of landscape professionals hired to maintain Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)
Increase the long-term success of stormwater management in the Kansas City region
Promote skilled workers to hiring entities and support career development

marc.org/GSI

MID-AMERICA GSI CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Created to support a deeper knowledge base of green stormwater infrastructure maintenance.

Training was identified as a need in a State of GSI report that recommended as one of its alternatives the development of an online training program for maintenance professionals already in the field.

A number of Water Quality Education Committee members came together to act on the recommendations of the State of GSI report, findings further supported by needs for improved maintenance guidance identified during the ongoing project to update our regional stormwater standards.

This program is intended to support the implementation of the updated Stormwater Standards currently under development that will modernize the region’s stormwater management systems.

Hello everyone, my name is Natalie Unruh with the Mid-America Regional Council, or MARC, which is the Kansas City regional metropolitan plan organization and Council of Governments. I’m the Water Quality program manager which is tasked by local governments with supporting stormwater professionals, and educating the public about improving stormwater management in the region.

Today we’re promoting the Mid-America Green Stormwater Infrastructure Certification Program, which is a new certification for landscape professionals and businesses to better understand how GSI works and needs to be maintained to function.

This training is intended to help meet a need that was identified by our cities to have skilled workers maintaining GSI so that these installations remain a well-functioning asset to the community. The Kansas City region is updating the stormwater management design and engineering standards required for development. These next-generation standards have been incorporated into this training, and our program will ensure that those who take it are prepared to meet these future requirements.

Companies that retain and hire Mid-America GSI Certified Individuals will benefit from promotion of their company on the GSI Directory of recommended contractors hosted on our website. And those directory entries will be searchable by regional employers and the general public.

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DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

marc.org/GSI

Water Quality Education Committee
Governing Board convening

Technical Team convening
Content aligned with new standards

5 content modules
Program plan
Field guide

January 31, 2023

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MAINTENANCE PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Module 1: �Introduction & Overview	Stormwater management, regulations, impacts of runoff, purpose and benefits of GSI facilities
Module 2: Introduction to Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)	Types, components, purpose, function of GSI facilities and Planting Plans
Module 3: �GSI Inspection and Maintenance Tasks	Need for and how to perform GSI maintenance, inspection index, levels of service and typical frequency of GSI maintenance tasks
Module 4: �Weed Identification & Removal	Invasive and undesirable weed ID, methods and timing for removal.
Module 5: �Interpreting GSI Planting Plans & Plant ID	Common landscaping GSI plants, GSI facility Planting Plan interpretation

marc.org/GSI

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PROGRAM MATERIALS

marc.org/GSI

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2025-26 WORKPLAN

marc.org/GSI

Develop GSI installation certification content

Convene expanded Governing Board

Conduct regional Jobs Task Analysis

Promote current program

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City of Palo Alto NGICP Certification Experience

Pam Boyle Rodriguez

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Pam Boyle Rodriguez

Stormwater Compliance Manager, City of Palo Alto

“GREENING STORMWATER FACILITIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY”

2025 GILE Annual Meeting

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Grant Project Components

Sustained Water Quality Improvements

Community Engagement

GSI Projects (including maintenance)

GSI Maintenance Training

Lessons Learned

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GSI Maintenance Training Program Overview

Four trainings, each three-day duration
Combination of classroom instruction and activities and field site visits
Curriculum amended for Bay Area to emphasize regional requirements, plants, soils, resources, etc.
Participation from City of Palo Alto and project partners, including NGOs - Grassroots Ecology and San Jose Conservation Corps
Pre- and post-learning evaluations and training course survey

Epilobium canum�California Fuchsia

Juncus patens�Gray Rush

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Lessons Learned

NGICP

Goes beyond maintenance, and with experienced trainer, can be comprehensive.
Curriculum is not equally applicable; can be amended but needs to be fully used.
Curriculum is a bit outdated.
Site visits are key!
Envirocert is not set up for workforce development.

Need for a third party (e.g., conservation corps or community colleges) to take the lead in partnership with agencies in need.
Local govt. still needs to buy in to the concepts of GSI maintenance and workforce development.

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DISCUSSION

Development in different regions and expanded nationally
Creating real career pathways
Training staff and partner agencies
Tailoring the programs in connection with communities
Building a framework for a regional workforce

How are these efforts are breeding a GENERATION of Eco-Friendly Crews and how can we (GILE) can keep improving the Certifications and Workforce Development Programs?

What matters?

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Thank You for the Discussion

Contact Information for Panelist:

Daniel Apt – Olaunu

dapt@olaunu.com (949) 533-9785

Aaron Kirkland – Philadelphia Water Department

Aaron.Kirkland@Phila.gov (215) 685-4121

Chris Hartman – NEORSD

hartmanc@neorsd.org

Natalie Unruh, MUP - Mid-America Regional Council

NUnruh@marc.org (816) 701-8225

Pam Boyle Rodriguez – City of Palo Alto Pamela.BoyleRodriguez@paloalto.gov (650) 329-2421