Training Materials for Noncertified, Non-Agricultural Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides
The Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative (PERC) is accepting applications to serve on a national project team to inform and assist in the creation of training materials (e.g., video and other formats) that meet EPA’s certification and training requirements of 40 CFR Subpart C 171.201 – Supervision of Noncertified Applicators.
About PERC:
PERC is led by University of California of Davis Extension and Oregon State University, and is funded by a 5-year cooperative agreement (#X8-83616301) from the U.S. EPA. PERC aims to support the development of resources/materials about the safe use of pesticides by applicators and handlers in agricultural, commercial, and residential settings. Materials could include brochures, factsheets, posters, videos, manuals, and mobile tools, while addressing the needs of low-literacy and multilingual audiences. These materials will help prevent pesticide exposure incidents for pesticide applicators, handlers, workers, and their families. The PERC supports the U.S. EPA’s Strategic Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and preventing pollution.
The Project:
The primary goal of this project is to create 1-2 training videos targeting new EPA training requirements for non-certified, non-agricultural pesticide applicators, working under the supervision of a certified applicator. Additionally, the team will create a training presentation and a flip-chart to provide employers with a suite of training tools to meet annual training requirements. The visual elements need to feature various non-agricultural industries, such as wood treatment, structural fumigation, roadside maintenance, and landscaping. The training materials will be created in English and Spanish, will feature various industries, and will not be sector-specific. A goal is to make them as visually clear/intuitive as possible for low-literacy groups.
The Team:
As many as four (4) Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are needed to participate in determining priorities, improving drafts of video scripts, arranging site visits for filming, and assuring that video footage shows compliance with training requirements. Additionally, the SMEs will advise on the adaptation of the video content into other potential resources, such as a training PowerPoint and flipchart.
Video production and editing expert(s):
Desired applicant(s) will have demonstrated success working individually or on a team to produce a safety training video, preferably related to pesticides or similar workplace regulations (OSHA, etc.). The video team must have resources for editing, closed captioning, music, narration, and mobile video equipment for travel to locations for specific shots. Experience with Spanish translations from English and video adjustments necessary to ensure consistent messaging is desired.
The level of effort for each team member depends on the number of SMEs/videographers recruited, their availability (hours/week) and their skill level. PERC predicts peak effort between May and July and could vary as much as 5-20 hours per week. It is expected that the outputs will be complete by fall 2020, although some team members may be retained through the end of 2020 to respond to user feedback.
Subject Matter Expert (SME) Job Description & Qualifications:
Job descriptions will vary, but may include some or all of the following:
- Collect national best pesticide use practices and resources (consistent with the above Rule) relevant to the scope of this project.
- Serve as contributing author of video script(s) utilizing the best pesticide use practices and feedback from the primary user (trainers), and the target audiences, non-agricultural/noncertified applicators.
- Organize material and complete writing assignments for video script and other training resources according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- Review drafted scripts and rough video and recommend revisions or changes in format and content.
- When appropriate, incorporate feedback from the PERC Advisory Board.
- Maintain ongoing consultation via PERC administrators with EPA to ensure regulatory accuracy and achieve EPA acceptance of final products.
- Experience with non-agricultural pesticide applications and/or pesticide-related training.
- Work in close collaboration with videographer(s) to develop effective video(s) for conveying pesticide safety training concepts.
- Experience creating pesticide educational resources in non-video formats (e.g., PowerPoints and or flipcharts).
- Maximize cultural competence and sensitivity of the intended audience.
- Use video education/instructional design expertise in creation of videos.
- Use video project management expertise to guide project and keep to established timeline for creation and release.
Videographer Job Description & Qualifications:
The job description may include some or all of the following:
- Meet with a team of subject matter experts in person or remotely to develop ideas/plans.
- Experience with creating/editing instructional/training videos. Pesticide and/or farm related experience a plus.
- Evaluate examples, best practices, and resources relevant to the project.
- Work in close collaboration with project team lead/subject matter experts to develop effective video(s) for conveying pesticide safety concepts.
- Incorporate input/feedback from target user groups, including farm/greenhouse workers, pesticide handlers, and agricultural/handler employers, among others.
- Maximize cultural competence and sensitivity.
- Be able to film on job site(s) and capture application methods clearly for training purposes.
- Use video education/instructional design expertise in creation of videos.
- Use video project management expertise to guide project and keep to established timeline for creation and release.
- Be able to utilize video footage of a different training video to maximize the value of video clips that are already in the possession of PERC. The bulk of the shots: are .MOV files Apple ProRes 422, 1920 x 1080, Linear PCM 16 bin little-endian signed integer, 48000 Hz Stereo (L-R). "Pickup" shots that were taken later are .MTS files H.264, 1920 x 1080, Linear PCM 15 bin big-endian signed integer, 48000 Hz Stereo (L-R).
Eligibility:
State and tribal regulators, academic/private/non-profit educators, professional videographers and video editors, and representatives from professional associations are encouraged to apply. Funding is available for compensation for a project member’s time, pending the applicant’s eligibility to accept payment under the rules governing this cooperative agreement. Participation may also be considered as in-kind.
Application Procedure & Selection:
Complete the web-based form available here. Be prepared to describe your qualifications, availability, compensation requirements, and any constituent groups you feel you can represent.
Application receipt deadline: Monday, February 17, 2020
Earliest funding start date: ~ Monday, March 16, 2020
Using a system for evaluating applications, PERC administrators from the University of California of Davis Extension and Oregon State University will make the final selections and will notify all applicants of their decision by March 02, 2020.
For questions, please contact Grace Barajas, (grbarajas[at]ucdavis.edu), Suzanne Forsyth (spforsyth[at]ucdavis.edu), or Kaci Buhl (kaci.buhl[at]oregonstate.edu).
Regulatory Guidance
Browse brief guides about protections for workers and handlers, the AEZ, posting, PPE, exemptions, training, respirators, and more, in English and Spanish.