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Become a NJ Clean Communities Coordinator and learn how to organize and lead litter abatement efforts in your community, or take this class for recertification credits!
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Course Details
NJ Clean Communities Council Coordinator Certification Training (INITIAL CERTIFICATION)
Course Code: ER0400YA27
Date: September 10, 17, and 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm EDT
Format: Hybrid course combining online and in-person, classroom instruction
Location for September 10 & 17: Online
Location for September 30: Rutgers EcoComplex, 1200 Florence Columbus Rd., Bordentown, NJ 08505 (Directions)
Registration Fee for Initial Certification: $315 per person (must attend ALL 3 days)
NJ Clean Communities Council Coordinator Certification Training (RECERTIFICATION)
Course Code: ER0400WA27
Date: September 10 and 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm EDT
Format: Online, instructor-led
Location: Online ONLY
Registration Fee for Recertification Credits:
1 Day: $125 per person
2 Days: $175 per person
*Recertification credits offered for Sept. 10 and 17 online sessions only.
Registration closes: September 7, 2026
Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
NJ Clean Communities Council Coordinator Certification Program Overview: Two Course Options Offered
Initial Certification Course (ER0400YA27) – September 10, 17, and 30, 2026
Course Overview
The NJ Clean Communities Council (NJCCC) partners with the Rutgers/NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE) to offer a certification course for Clean Communities program personnel. The three-day session presents information on programming, statistical reporting, budgeting/cost management, communications, volunteer management and related topics in an informal atmosphere that encourages critical thinking and innovation.
Day one will focus on how to conduct a community cleanup and Clean Communities guidelines and procedures; Day two will present information on the statistical reporting, grant management, municipal finances and enforcement procedures. Both these days will be held remotely.
Day three will be held in person at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Bordentown. No breakfast or coffee service will be available for the in-person session but lunch will be provided for all attendees. This session will focus on the educational aspects of Clean Communities programming – getting the word out to members of the community.
Those seeking to become certified must:
- Complete all three days of the course;
- Submit a three to five-page paper on a topic related to developing, operating, and/or maintaining an effective Clean Communities program; and
- Obtain two additional credits within ninety (90) days of the end date of the certification course.
Possible options for the additional two credits include:- Attendance at NJCCC Awards Conference and graduation ceremony.
- Attendance at Clean Communities workshops and meetings or Clean Communities session(s) at the New Jersey League of Municipalities conference.
- Attendance at county/municipal Clean Communities coordinator meetings or other events as approved by the NJCCC.
- Completion of an approved safety course.
- Completion of all six (6) modules in the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund’s stormwater management webinar series (details at https://njmel.org/mel-safety-institute/webinars).
- Documented organizing of and participation in a public lands or International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).
- Spearheading the effort to add Clean Communities program information to a municipal or county website using NJCCC Best Practices Model Website.
For more information on the certification process, please contact the NJCCC at (609) 989-5900.
Who Should Attend?
Individuals seeking to earn their Clean Communities Coordinator initial certification are invited to attend this three-day training program. Past participants have included:
- Borough Clerks/Administrators
- Certified Recycling Professionals
- Clean Communities Coordinators
- Environmental Commissioners
- Land Stewards
- Park Maintenance Directors
- Public Works Department Employees
- Recreation Directors
- Sanitation Inspectors
- Shade Tree Clerks
- Solid Waste Coordinators
- Sustainability Officers
- Township Managers
- Utility Workers
Continuing Education Credits
NJ Clean Communities Council Coordinator CERTIFICATION Training is approved for a total of 1.8 Rutgers CEUs (18 contact hours), as well as the following credits from professional organizations.
New Jersey
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 6 Technical and 6 Government Contact Hours
NJ Certified Recycling Professionals (CRP): 15 Classroom Recertification Credits
Recertification Course (ER0400WA27) – September 10 and 17, 2026
Course Overview
The NJ Clean Communities Council (NJCCC) partners with the Rutgers/NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE) to offer a certification course for Clean Communities program personnel. The three-day session presents information on programming, statistical reporting, budgeting/cost management, communications, volunteer management and related topics in an informal atmosphere that encourages critical thinking and innovation.
Day one will focus on how to conduct a community cleanup and Clean Communities guidelines and procedures; Day two will present information on the statistical reporting, grant management, municipal finances and enforcement procedures. Both these days will be held remotely.
Who Should Attend?
Individuals who already hold the NJ Clean Communities Coordinator certification are invited to participate in the online sessions on day one and/or day two of this program to earn recertification credits (six credits per day). Past participants have included:
- Borough Clerks/Administrators
- Certified Recycling Professionals
- Clean Communities Coordinators
- Environmental Commissioners
- Land Stewards
- Park Maintenance Directors
- Public Works Department Employees
- Recreation Directors
- Sanitation Inspectors
- Shade Tree Clerks
- Solid Waste Coordinators
- Sustainability Officers
- Township Managers
- Utility Workers
Continuing Education Credits
NJ Clean Communities Council Coordinator RECERTIFICATION Training is approved for a total of 1.2 Rutgers CEUs (12 contact hours), as well as the following credits from professional organizations.
New Jersey
NJ Certified Clean Communities Coordinators (CCC): 12; (6 per day) for days 1 and 2 only
NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 4 Technical and 4 Government Contact Hours (2 Technical, 2 Government per day)
NJ Certified Recycling Professionals (CRP): 10 Classroom Recertification Credits (5 per day)
Meet Your Instructor
Joann Gemenden
JoAnn Gemenden is in her fourth year as Executive Director of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council where she was tasked with implementing NJ’s statewide outreach and education program for the single use plastics law and supplying 500,000 reusable bags to the state’s seven food banks. Prior to be named to this post, JoAnn served as the Bureau Chief of Recycling in Union County for 35 years where she was both Recycling and Clean Communities Coordinator. She has vast experience in environmental education and works to promote behavior change when it comes to keeping NJ litter free and reducing our reliance on plastic.
Student Reviews
“Excellent. I have already told my fellow workers that they should take the course. Loved the powerpoints and demonstrations.”
– P. Jason Randolph, Bedminster Township
Director of Public Works“Touches on several topic areas from recycling to finance. JoAnn is always great and after all of these years still has a passion for recycling.”
– Jennifer Kobliska, Clark Township
CFO, QPA, CRP“Learned valuable information [on] storm water management which is important given [where] I work [like] the adopt-a-drain program similar to the adopt-a-beach we already implement. I can see us using this program in our community.”
– Kelliann Jones, City of Ocean City
ClerkCourse Requirements and Policies
Meals
No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only attending day 3 of the course.*
NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least two (2) weeks in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.
*Applies for day 3 class session in Bordentown, NJ only. No meals provided for online class sessions.
Technology Requirements
This online course will be delivered via Zoom.
Equipment you will need to access this training:
- A laptop or desktop computer is required to participate in this class.
- A webcam, speakers, and microphone are recommended but not required (a call-in option will be available for audio).
Approximately one week before the class start date, you will receive an email with additional details and instructions.
COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes
Please visit our policies page for the latest information.
Email Requirement
A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.
- If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
- If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions
Cancellations and Substitutions
A $100 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about the NJ Clean Communities Council Coordinator Certification Training, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Senior Program Coordinator: Pamela Springard-Mayer
848-932-7463
pspring@rutgers.edu
Administrative Assistant: Claudine Oleskin
848-932-7204
coleskin@njaes.rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
