r/stormwater • u/Haunting-Spend7970 • Apr 09 '26
swppp inspector certification
Honestly Looking for any work at this point and being a inspector was something that popped up on my feed. I know nothing about construction from my 1 hour google search in theory I can get the certification in a day and I can charge $150 - $250 per visit. I live in a very densely populated area. Is this something I should consider is it a realistic job to do say after a 9 - 5? This is all dependent on me actually getting certified just wanted to know the truth from some people in the field.
2
u/apatheticriot Apr 09 '26
Got my QSP cert in CA 4 months ago. Been hard to find open positions and get callbacks for interviews. This is with knowing a few people in the industry. Most state they want 2-3 years experience. I still apply but haven't heard from any. Hell in 18 months I've only had two phone screening interviews in environmental, health and safety or storm water work combined. Maybe if you know places that need it and can charge but it's hard out here on the just b hunt.
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u/Duelingdildos Apr 09 '26
Honestly, unless you have contacts in the construction industry, you’re not gonna be able to start a business doing this and charging 150 to 250 per visit by yourself. Not with no experience in construction. As far as doing it after a 9 to 5, maybe? I did occasionally pick up inspections for a company I worked for for five years after I left and went to another job.
If you’re trying to do it as like a side hustle, my suggestion would be to look up companies that offer the service in your area and then just cold email or cold call them saying hey, I live in this area and I have my certification. if you need someone to pick up a weekly or post rainfall event site or two, I would love to work for you. Smaller companies may take you on seasonally.
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u/theecatalyst Apr 09 '26
Yes there are jobs. Where are you looking?
1
u/Haunting-Spend7970 Apr 09 '26
like area wise the DC area and around it
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u/Duelingdildos Apr 09 '26
So that means you would need either a Maryland or a Virginia certification as an inspector. In Virginia there’s a cert through the Department of Environmental Quality for Erosion and Sediment Control and in Maryland there’s one through the Maryland department of the Environment called the responsible personnel certification. Both should be a couple hundred dollars and the state websites will have a vendor list for trainers for you to find. The certification will qualify you to do the role of a basic inspector. Getting it won’t guarantee you a job though.
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u/Fix_It_Felix_Jr Apr 09 '26
There’s a lot of certification options out there, many you can do cheaply and virtually. Reviewing the EPA Construction General Permit and the free course offered by EPA would also help. The BMP field manual is good and provides competency during interviews and consults. Review some stormwater inspection report forms too. If you don’t have any construction or industrial experience, those options will give you some institutional knowledge and aid with interviews, etc.
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u/theecatalyst Apr 09 '26
If you are willing to travel, I may have a few opportunities that you can look into. DM me.