Landfill manager and operator certification requirements
Landfills in Wisconsin must be run by certified facility managers and site operators. An applicant for facility manager certification must have at least two years of experience operating or being directly responsible for the operation, design, regulation, construction or administration of a solid waste facility.
A certified facility manager or site operator must be present at a municipal solid waste or intermediate demolition waste landfill during all hours of operation. The designated facility manager need not be at the landfill during all hours of operation but must be present within 50 miles of the landfill and able to be contacted during 75% of the hours of operation.
Non-certified site operators may operate high volume industrial waste landfills provided they have landfill design and operation knowledge as required by NR 524, Wis. Adm. Code, a certified facility manager oversees the operation at least once a week and the DNR has not issued a Notice of Violations (NOV) against the landfill during the previous three years. A certified facility manager must be present within 50 miles of the landfill and able to be contacted during 75% of the hours of operation. A certified site operator or facility manager need not be present at the site during waste delivery.
A certified site operator, who must be present during all hours of operation, is allowed to operate a small demolition waste landfill.
There is no reciprocity for certification received from other states.
Certification process
To obtain a landfill facility manager/site operator certification, a person must do the following:
- Submit Form 4400-180 before taking the certification examination;
- Pass a certification examination conducted by the DNR; and
- Pay a $200 fee.
The certification for facility managers and site operators is valid for two years. During this two-year period, certified managers and operators must obtain continuing education training in solid or hazardous waste related subjects.
If proper continuing education training is not completed with the specified period and the certification fee is not paid within six months of expiration of a certificate, the certificate automatically expires. A person seeking reinstatement must retake and pass the certification examination; and pay the initial certification fee.
The DNR may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a certificate for falsifying data, incompetence and intentional or negligent action by the incumbent.
Interim certification
Landfill owners may request interim certification for employee as an interim facility manager or site operator. A designated interim manager must have at least two years of experience in the operation or being directly responsible for operation, design, regulation, construction or administration of a solid waste facility. A designation site operator must have at least one year of experience in operation or directly responsible for operation of a solid waste facility or in earth work construction. To obtain DNR approval for the interim appointee, the owner must send a completed interim certification application form Form 4400-181 along with a $150 fee.
Fees
Fees for both facility managers and site operators are:
- Initial certification, $200
- Recertification, $150
- Interim training, $150
A late fee of $100 in addition to the recertification fee must be paid if a certificate is not renewed by the renewal date.