Competence

Becoming a Chartered Environmentalist
To become a Chartered Environmentalist an applicant must:

• be a Chartered Member of CIAT (MCIAT)
• have a minimum of 12 points of knowledge and/or experience, which shall include at least four years relevant work based practice, depending upon the level and duration of academic study. The 12 points may all be gained through relevant work based practice;
• demonstrate knowledge of, competence in and engagement with sustainable management of the environment and/or sustainability matters; and,
• agree to comply with the Society for the Environment’s Code of Ethics and CPD requirements of CIAT.

Applicants who are judged by the assessors to have not achieved the required level of competencies for the award of CEnv shall be deemed to have a ‘referral’ as opposed to a ‘pass’. All referred applicants shall be notified of what competences/evidence they are weak in and provided with suggestions as to ways in which they may improve in these areas. Some may need to submit further evidence; some may need to gain specific experience and understanding in a few competence areas before being re-interviewed; and others may need to gain wider experience and understanding across the majority of competence areas before being re-interviewed at some time in the future.

Once Chartered status is achieved, retention will also require continued membership of CIAT and payment of the annual fee. Chartered Environmentalists may transfer their registration to another licensed Constituent Body during their career.

What is competence and how is it assessed?
Section 3 of the application pack sets out the thresholds for generic competences for registration as a Chartered Environmentalist. These standards have been developed with the support of all Constituent Bodies and approved by the Society for the Environment’s Registration Authority. Competence includes the knowledge, understanding and skills which underpin performance. Professional Environmentalists become competent through a mixture of education and experience. This enables them to develop as professionals to a level of competence which can be assessed to be of Chartered status.

Assessment of competence
To become Chartered Environmentalists, candidates must have their competence assessed by a professional review process. This process is undertaken by CIAT. The assessment is undertaken by two practising environmental professionals who themselves are Chartered Environmentalists, trained in the professional assessment process. Candidates are assessed against the areas of competence outlined in Section 3. The assessment process will take into account the CV and personal statement provided by the applicant.

Professional Review Interview (PRI)

The Professional Review Interview (PRI) is the final stage of assessment of an applicant.

This will be undertaken by a Panel of at least two Chartered Environmentalists for the purpose of review and interview. CIAT is at liberty to invite a Chartered Environmentalist from another Licensed Body to be a member of the Panel. CIAT is also at liberty to invite one other person to join the Panel as a technical advisor.

The PRI may be held anywhere worldwide. It shall be a face to face interview and normally last for between 40 and 60 minutes. This is a two way process, where the applicant demonstrates virtuosity against the required elements of knowledge, competence and engagement and the interviewers seek evidence of competency. In exceptional circumstances, a video conference interview may be allowed with the approval of the Chief Executive of the Society. Approval shall only be given in exceptional circumstances and the decision notified to the Registration Authority. Telephone interviews shall not be allowed.

The Panel shall conduct an interview in which the applicant is reasonably tested in relation to the competences listed in Section 3 below and taking into account the submitted written evidence. The panel must reach a unanimous decision on suitability for registration as a Chartered Environmentalist.