Development of e-Learning Course for EPA Permit Writers and Reviewers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Policy wanted permit writers and reviewers to incorporate environmental justice and civil rights issues into the permitting process and consider them during public outreach and engagement activities.

To help achieve these goals, ERG led the development of an e-learning course for EPA permit writers and reviewers on this topic. We started by conducting an informal audience analysis to identify the training needs of permit writers and reviewers. Based on this input, we outlined course learning objectives and goals and crafted module storyboards to present and vet training content. We then developed SCORM- and 508-compliant modules in Adobe Captivate. Throughout development, we leveraged our in-house subject experts to ensure content accuracy and thoroughness. The final training starts with an introduction to environmental justice, describes key milestones of the EJ movement and civil rights laws that affect how federal programs are implemented, details how EJ and civil rights issues can be incorporated public engagement strategies, and provides tools to implement a permitting framework that achieves EJ goals. The course is available to EPA staff via the FedTalent learning management system and will be considered for external state permit writers in the future.