Rick Kenealy, Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator,
Town of Webster

PSI Courses now count toward NYSDEC Wastewater Operator License renewals

At PERMA, the Public Employer Risk Management Association, we are committed to providing high-quality online training to support our members in their professional growth. Today, we are excited to celebrate a significant achievement made possible through the dedication and collaboration of one of our members in our community.

Thanks to the efforts of one of our members, online courses in our PERMA Safety Institute, commonly referred to as PSI, are now linked to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC) wastewater training requirements. This accomplishment not only enhances the accessibility of critical training for environmental professionals but also reinforces the value of working together toward a shared mission.

The Town of Webster Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Rick Kenealy, facilitated the efforts to obtain the DEC approval. As Chief Wastewater Plant Operator, Rick recently attended the NY Water Environment Association meeting in New York City and shared his positive experience regarding our PSI platform administered by NEOGOV. He was able to get the DEC to approve 50 courses for continuing education credits for wastewater plant operators.

We have over 75 municipalities within PERMA membership that have some type of wastewater operator. Enrolling in these online courses can help other operators receive contact hours that operators need for their NYS DEC Wastewater Operator License renewals. Often it becomes a challenge for many certified operators to attend training courses, and now through PSI, the training can be easily accessed completed online.

All the courses that are approved for the DEC certifications can be found in this list. It provides the PERMA PSI/NEOGOV course Number, the title of the course, the approved hours and the NYSDEC RTC # that corresponds to. These courses will allow the certified operators to receive continuing education credits for WWTPO certification.

This milestone reflects the power of partnership and the impact that individuals have within our association. By bridging the gap between our educational resources and state certification needs, we are collectively strengthening the industry and ensuring professionals have the knowledge to protect public health and the environment.

A special thank you to Rick Kenealy and Brayton Connard, the Director of Personnel for the Town of Webster, and our Safety Training Coordinator, Sigrid Vompa, who made this possible. We look forward to continuing our efforts to support our members with valuable, recognized training opportunities.

Together, we are making a difference!