tg v National Technical Training Program (NTTP)

OFFICE of SURFACE MINING
RECLAMATION and ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior
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For More Information:

Karen Smalls
ksmalls@osmre.gov
(202) 208-0871


Contact OSMRE


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National Technical Training Program (NTTP)

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) established the National Technical Training Program (NTTP) in 1985, recognizing the need for an ongoing educational program to increase the technical competence and professionalism of Federal, State, and Tribal personnel located in Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) agencies. The program delivers training related to permit approval, bond release, reclamation, and enforcement through a collaborative effort by OSMRE, State and Tribal instructors.

The training serves to build and update technical expertise and fosters consistent application of standards. Training is provided in each of the disciplines involved in implementation of SMCRA, which include aquatic biology, geology, engineering, hydrology, blasting, agronomy, and botany.

NTTP Training Schedule

Training Contacts

Instructor Training Course (ITC)

Self-Study Courses

Course Descriptions

Continuing Education

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)



    Course Enrollment

    DOI Talent

    DOI Learn is no longer available, and the new DOI Talent is now available! For information about DOI's new Talent Management System, please visit the DOI Talent home page.

    The National Technical Training Program (NTTP) works closely with our designated State, Tribal, and OSMRE Training Contacts to enroll their employees in courses offered by NTTP. Your Training Contact can assist with your training needs and will ensure all required enrollment documents are submitted by the due date. NTTP, “course enrollment" refers to the process of adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses. Before you can enroll in NTTP courses, you must first be registered.

    If you are interested in participating in courses offered by NTTP, please contact your designated State, Tribal, or OSMRE Training Contact to ensure proper enrollment and adherence to State, Tribal and OSMRE travel policies.

  • Registration Steps

    • Registering for NTTP course requires the following steps:

      1. Please contact your designated training contact to complete the next two steps. Find your State, Tribal, or OSMRE Training Contact.
      2. Submit a completed nomination form to the assigned coordinator by the nomination due date. (Download the current Nomination Form)
      3. You must have an active travel profile account.
      4. You must have an active account in DOI Talent.
      5. To confirm your account status, please contact your designated Training Contact or the assigned coordinator. If you do not have a travel profile account and/or an account in DOI Talent, your designated Training or the assigned coordinator will provide the necessary forms to create an account.

  • Enrollment Confirmation

      1. The assigned coordinator will send email notification confirming course enrollment to all enrollees 45 days before course start date.

      2. To be successfully enrolled into a NTTP courses, you must do the following:
        1. Submit a completed nomination form.
        2. Confirm you have an active travel profile account.
        3. Confirm you have an active account in DOI Talent.
        4. To confirm your account status, please contact your designated Training Contact or the assigned coordinator. If you do not have a travel profile account and/or an account in DOI Talent, your designated Training or the assigned coordinator will provide the necessary forms to create an account.

  • Training and Traveling Information

      1. The assigned coordinator will contact enrollees, if necessary relative to travel arrangements.

      2. The assigned coordinator will provide all enrollees with travel and training information 30 days prior to course start date. The information will include the following:
        1. Participant List
        2. Course Agenda
        3. Course Description
        4. Equipment/Supplies that participants need to bring, if any.
        5. Allowable Expenses/Requirement Documents

      3. Please contact the assigned coordinator for the following:
        1. If you require course details sooner;
        2. If you need to make changes to your travel arrangements;
        3. If you need to drop or withdraw from the course;
        4. If you would like to check your enrollment status, and
        5. If you any questions or concerns.


    • Training Contacts

    NTTP works closely with our designated State, Tribal, and OSMRE Training Contacts to enroll their employees in courses offered by NTTP. Below is a list of our Training Contacts who can assist with your training needs and who will ensure all required enrollment documents are submitted by the nomination due date.

    If you are interested in participating in courses offered by NTTP, please contact your designated Training Contact as listed below to ensure proper enrollment and adherence to State, Tribal and OSMRE travel policies. If a Training Contact for your State, Tribal, or Government Agency is not listed, please contact Karen Smalls at (202) 208 – 0871 or via email at ksmalls@osmre.gov.




    Training Schedule

    Please note each class listed on our schedule has a coordinator assigned to them. These are the people to contact concerning that particular session.

    The classes being offered are based on customer needs that have been surveyed from our OSMRE, State and Tribal offices. We do not offer all of our courses in a given year due to funding considerations, instructor availabilifty and the lack of spaces requested in that particular class.

    Prior to selecting a class, we encourage you to look at the course description in the NTTP and Technical Innovation and Professional Services (TIPS) Catalog and the Career Series Guide to see if this class is right for your needs.

    Download the NTTP Course Offerings

    If you have any questions regarding the above courses, please contact the assigned coordinator directly:

    Karen Smalls, ksmalls@osmre.gov, (202) 208-0871
    John Leehang, jleehang@osmre.gov, (202) 208-6612
    Diego Ramirez, dramirez@osmre.gov, (202) 208-2861
    Fred Cruise, fcruise@osmre.gov, (202) 208-2623



    Testimonials

    OSMRE avatar graphic "It is important to periodically refresh our skills and keep current with construction technologies. This OSMRE course provides a valuable opportunity for staff to compare best management practices with other AML programs and hone skills that have dulled. Erosion and Sediment Control-81" (Supervisor)
    OSMRE avatar graphic "Excellent information. I plan on using the soil survey when I get home for personal inquiry. Soils and Revegetation-81" (Employee)

  • Read More Testimonials

    • "Currently, the staff is monitoring a subsidence feature and in the future will be completing site assessment and draft Design. AML Design Workshop: Subsidence-81" (Supervisor)
      "Excellent! Environmental Manager was very knowledgeable about the overall operation of the mine site activities. The mine site was excellent. The tour was great; seeing the full mining operation, water paths/treatment, and pit setting within the city limits. Geology and Geochemistry of Acid-Forming Materials-81" (Employee)
      "Great opportunity, in a very positive learning environment that demonstrated many options within the process provided. It helped in wrapping my head around application of that process to various areas of knowledge. Instructor Training Course- 20-minute Team Presentations-81" (Employee)

    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    • What classes should I take?

      • NTTP has developed two resources, the National Technical Training Catalog and the Career Series Guide, to assist you or your manager in selecting the right classes for you. These two guides should be used in concert to ensure you have the best training experience when attending our classes.

        National Technical Training Catalog

        This catalog is designed to assist you in the selection of all of the courses offered by the OSMRE Technical Training Program.

        Career Series Guide

        The Career Series Guide is a collection of OSMRE training courses specific to different job descriptions within SMCRA agencies and was designed to assist the employee and their manager in selecting training courses. The series will allow the selection of course requests based on an individual's strengths, challenges and existing background knowledge and training. It also serves as a guide for progression of career specific training considering the content of the specific courses. The Guide is to be used in concert with the above National Technical Training Catalog. The Guide was a collaborative effort between dedicated employees of OSMRE, State and Tribal offices.

    • How do I enroll into a class?

      • For SMCRA-related State and Tribal agencies: Each office has a designated training contact who works with OSMRE to enroll you in NTTP classes. If you do not know who that person is, please contact us at (202) 208-2769 and we will refer you to the appropriate person.

        OSMRE offices: Employees must go to DOI Talent to register for our classes. You will need to also contact your designated training contact who will assist you in submitting the necessary paperwork to attend our classes.

        For non-SMCRA agencies: Please look over the course offerings and the schedule and contact the coordinator assigned to that particular class. If there is extra space available in a class, you may be able to attend. OSMRE is not authorized to pay your travel costs associated with attending our classes.

    • When will I receive notification of class acceptance?

      • Approximately 30 days prior to the start of the class, you will receive notification from the assigned coordinator. If we are paying for your attendance, you will also receive a participant package, which provides you with your travel authorizations, logistical information, and any other pertinent information you may need to know. Please read over this information carefully.

    • Can I get a course certificate?

      • Yes, upon completion course, a certificate of completion will be provided.

    • What resources will I need for this class?

      • All materials for the class will be provided.

    • Who do I contact if I have questions on a class I'm scheduled to attend?

      • A coordinator has been assigned to each class. Please contact the assigned class coordinator directly for assistance. For a coordinator's contact information, please review the FY 2021 training schedule.

    • What mode of transportation should I use?

      • Your training contact submitted a nomination form to NTTP regarding your requested mode of transportation. We use this information in preparing your travel authorization. You must use the mode of transportation submitted by your training contact. We will not reimburse your expenses if another form of transportation is used.

        • AIR: You must book your ticket through OSM's travel agent, Duluth Travel, or with the assigned coordinator. Detailed guidance on booking your ticket will be provided in your participant package
        • POV: You must have prior approval from NTTP to use your POV. If you do not have access to a GOV, you will be reimbursed 56 cents per mile. If you are assigned or have access to a GOV, you will be reimbursed 23.5 cents per mile if you receive approval to use your POV.
        • GOV: You will not be reimbursed mileage except if you must use your POV to pick-up the GOV.

    • Will I be reimbursed for parking for class attendance?

      • Yes, parking is an allowable travel expense that is reimbursable up to a limit. Detailed guidance will be provided in your participant package relative to maximum daily reimbursable parking rate, preferred parking location, and parking type: (self or valet). We will not reimburse transportation tips associated with parking.

    • Will I be reimbursed for internet usage?

      • No

    • Will I be reimbursed for my baggage check?

      • Yes, typically you will only be reimbursed for your 1st baggage fee for your departure and return flight. If you are on travel for longer than a week or are carrying government supplies to the class, you may check an additional bag.

    • Do I need to make my own hotel reservations?

      • No, we have already secured a room for you at the hotel listed in your participant package.

    • What do I do if there is inclement weather in the city I live in or where the class is being conducted?

      • Our number one priority is your safety. If there is inclement weather in your city, please use your best judgment when travelling to our classes. If you are unable to attend, please follow the directions in the "What if I have an emergency prior to the class start date and can no longer attend?" section found below. If there is inclement weather in the class location, NTTP will either send you an e-mail or call you if we need to make any changes to our class, e.g.cancellation of the class or delayed arrival time.

    • What if I have an emergency prior to the class start date and can no longer attend?

      • Please let your training contact and assigned coordinator know as soon as possible. The assigned coordinator will let you know if you need to contact Duluth travel (1-855-847-6398; select option 2) to cancel your reservations (if you are travelling by air).

    • What if I have an emergency during the class?

      • Please notify the front desk of your departure date and let one of our instructors know. If you are a flyer, please contact Duluth Travel to change your reservations. Also, let your training contact and assigned coordinator know as time permits.

    • How will I receive credit for my classroom attendance?

      • At the end of the class, you will receive a certificate of completion and also your transcripts in Department of the Interior's Learning Management System will be updated. You must attend all class hours to receive credit.

    • How will I be paid for expenses incurred during travel?

      • At the end of the class, the instructor or on-site coordinator will go over the travel reimbursement process.

        For State and Tribal Travelers

        Please review the Standard Operating Procedure for travel voucher process.

        For local commuters who incurred travel expenses, please complete, sign, date, and email the attached claim for reimbursement form (SF-1164) to the assigned coordinator for processing. If you have any questions or need the accounting classification, please contact the assigned coordinator for assistance.

        For OSMRE and other DOI Employees

        You must process your travel voucher in Concur no later than five (5) business days after your travel.

        For local commuters who incurred travel expenses, please complete, sign, date, and email the attached claim for reimbursement form (SF-1164) to to osm-fin-1164processing@osmre.gov for processing. If you have any questions or need the accounting classification, please contact the assigned coordinator for assistance.

        If you have not received payment within 30 days after class completion, please contact the assigned coordinator for assistance.

Page Last Modified/Reviewed: 11/2/20

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-2565 | TTY: (202) 208-2694 | Email: getinfo@osmre.gov


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