IRVINE, CALIF. — The University of California, Irvine Extension announced the launch of Multi-media Environmental Compliance, a new, online course developed to enhance participants’ understanding of environmental compliance programs. The six-week course, beginning Monday, Oct. 3, will be led by Christina Schwerdtfeger, Ph.D., REA, president and founder of Coto Consulting Inc.

“Businesses today expect their environmental, health and safety professionals to understand the drivers for multi-media environmental compliance,” said Dave Dimas, Ph.D., director of Engineering, Sciences and Information Technology at UC Irvine Extension. “Participants will acquire the necessary skills to comply with the applicable laws and regulations, avoid fines and notices of violations, and manage programs using the most up-to-date methods and procedures.”

“Multi-media Environmental Compliance” will provide an overview of regulatory programs for air, water and hazardous water. Schwerdtfeger will discuss regulatory applicability determinations, reporting, permitting, payment of fees and the creation of a compliance calendar. Course participants will also learn about record retention and organization, environmental management systems, audits and personnel issues. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to understand, organize, and implement a multi-media compliance program.

Schwerdtfeger is an award-winning businesswoman, who recently received a business achievement award from the Environmental Business Journal. A specialist in environmental studies and permitting and development of compliance strategies and programs, she has worked for Fortune 100 companies, the federal government and municipalities for over 24 years. She is a registered environmental assessor, an accredited greenhouse gas lead verifier with the state of California, a published author, invited speaker and symposium moderator with several professional organizations.

In addition to the six-week course, UC Irvine Extension also will offer a free introductory webinar titled, “Maintaining Environmental Compliance in the Workplace.” This one-hour webinar will provide students with a brief overview of multi-media compliance as well as environmental issues in the workplace. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive information needed to register for the six-week class. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. PDT.

Registration is available at www.unex.uci.edu/events.

“Multi-media Environmental Compliance” is part of UC Irvine Extension’s Certificate Program in Environmental Management. To learn more about the Certificate Program, webinar or prerequisites, visit www.unex.uci.edu or e-mail Jennifer Spitzer, program representative, at jspitzer@uci.edu. To register for the fall course, call 949-824-5414.