New director, head trainer named at Morrisville State Environmental Training Center

Stephen Sanders, currently of New Milford, Conn., has been hired as the director and head trainer of the Environmental Training Center (ETC) at Morrisville State.



In the newly created dual role, Sanders will be responsible for both the daily operations and classroom instruction at the ETC, one of the leaders in wastewater and water certification training in New York State. He will assume his position in November.



“To enable Morrisville State College to continue the high level of excellence in service that is provided to the water and wastewater professional communities, we are very proud to have Stephen Sanders, who is a New York State Certified 4A Wastewater Operator and New York State Certified Grade C Water Operator, along with his valuable training experience, as the next director of the Environmental Training Center,” said Dr. Joseph Bularzik, dean of the School of Science, Technology and Health Studies.



Sanders has an extensive history working in both small- and large-scale wastewater treatment and environmental facilities.



Most recently he worked for Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities as supervisor of operations at their Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant, (the largest in the county) and also worked at their Pure Oxygen New Rochelle Wastewater Treatment Plant.



For the past three years, he has also been a part-time instructor for state operator certification courses at Morrisville's ETC.



Sanders also worked as a water and wastewater specialist at Allied Pollution Control where he operated two RBC plants, one SBR plant, and two small water systems.



“Based on his qualifications, I am certain Stephen will continue the excellent training the industry has come to expect from the Morrisville State College Environmental Training Center, and will continue to move the program forward for the benefit of operators and the environment,” Van Bartlett, former ETC head trainer, said.



The center currently offers pre-certification training, courses that meet the requirements of the NYS DEC and the NYS DOH for operators to become licensed in New York State.



In addition to its course offerings, the college's ETC has garnered recognition in the industry through its instructors who are experts in their fields.



“Our instructors are experienced professionals who have been operators themselves so they can relate to the students based on practical knowledge,” said Cory Sawyer, instructional support associate at the ETC. “I have absolutely no doubt that Stephen will provide the high quality classroom instruction that has been the foundation of the ETC's success.”



Several factors make Morrisville State's ETC stand out.



While some training centers in NYS hold evening classes, typically two days a week over a period of months, the Morrisville ETC holds its classes in blocks of week-long sessions so participants can complete a course in a week or two, take the final exam, and leave with a certificate of completion. Students also benefit from applied learning through touring wastewater plants and hands-on laboratory experience.



“What makes the ETC different is operators come from all over NYS to attend courses and the classroom interaction and discussion creates a unique opportunity for them to learn from one another,” Sawyer said.



Future plans at the Morrisville State ETC include offering re-certification training courses with approved CEU's for operator license renewal.



Sanders holds a Level 4A Wastewater License, the highest level in NYS, and a Grade C Water License. A certified NYDEC trainer, he is also a member of various organizations including the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).



Among the courses offered by the Morrisville State ETC are Basic Operations of Wastewater Treatment Plants, supervision courses, and Grade 4 Management, in addition to water treatment courses. For a complete list of courses, visit http://etc.morrisville.edu/.