Brownfields Toolbox

Introduction

As a team member planning a Brownfields Job Development and Training program, you have many areas of expertise, but you may not have an environmental or technical background. Your background and experience may be in project management, case work, government, or social services. However, environmental and technical knowledge and experience can be gained through interaction with partners, stakeholders, and service providers. Experienced partners and service providers are usually familiar with contacts, Web sites, and other sources of technical assistance in their specialty areas. This chapter presents resources to help you learn more about specific activities associated with Brownfields Job Development and Training programs.

As a project manager, you and the Brownfields Job Development and Training program staff must work with numerous governmental and community technical specialists. You need to "talk the language" and understand basic concepts and background material in order to construct a successful program. For this reason, it is important that you and other non-technical staff become familiar with the technology and background associated with brownfields. "Brownfield Basics" is a term often used to describe a working knowledge and familiarity with brownfields legislation, regulation, law, history, and relationship to stakeholders and the community. It may not be necessary for you to become an environmental or technical expert, but familiarization provides an important background for selling the program to students, employers, stakeholders, and supporters.

There are three general sources of assistance that should be investigated in the early stages of Brownfields Job Development and Training program development. All three are governmental offices associated with brownfields activities. They include federal environmental agencies (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency),state environmental agencies, and local government offices. While you can access many of the resources discussed via Internet, you should develop personal contact and relationships as the planning for your Brownfields Job Development and Training program progresses.