Guidance Notes
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
CEnvP—an initiative of the EIANZ
CEnvP CL Specialist
THESE GUIDANCE NOTES ARE FOR PRACTITIONERS
APPLYING FOR STANDARD CENVP
CONTAMINATED LAND
These guidelines are for
Practitioners applying for
CEnvP Contaminated Land
Specialist
CRITERIA
 PART
A: Administration
 PART
B: Qualifications
 PART
C: Ethical Conduct
 PART
D: Referees
 PART
E: Work Experience
 PART
F: Commitment to CPD
 PART
G: Further Evidence
 PART
H: Statement of Claim
 APPLICATION
PROCESS
 CERTIFICATION
 PAYMENT
 POST
The establishment of a specialist Contaminated Land (CL) certification
under the CEnvP Scheme will help promote sound CL practice by
recognising ethical and professionally competent CL practitioners
within Australia and New Zealand. This should lead to improved
confidence and outputs in professional CL practice.
A CEnvP (CL Specialist) applicant must first meet the requirements for
CEnvP certification. It is not necessary to be a CEnvP at the time of
application.
SECTIONS
 MINIMUM
The Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme has implemented
certification categories to recognize specialist areas of practice in the
environmental sector requiring unique subsets of competence and
ethical standards.
BOARD
OF FEES
NOMINAL
 CHECKLIST
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Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
For the purposes of Certification, “Contaminated Land Practice” is
considered to be:
“a specialised professional area involving a number of
disciplines. Practitioners must have a range of competencies
and be able to recognise the need for supporting professional
advice beyond their own expertise when assessing
contamination and its effects on land use and the
environment.
The extent to which these competencies are required varies
with the level and nature of work being carried out by the
professional. For example, the professional may be operating
as an accredited auditor, a third-party reviewer, a specialist
professional certifying work under statute or an
environmental consultant involved in carrying out
contaminated site assessments. The complexity of
contamination issues will vary on individual sites from a
single known contaminant with limited site distribution to
sites with multiple contaminants of unknown vertical and
lateral spread, off-site impacts and obvious human health
and environmental risks.
Professional assessments of site contamination deal with
health and environmental issues of concern to landowners,
occupiers, regulators, local government, planning authorities
and the public. These assessments are required by
regulatory and planning authorities for the management of
contaminated land and in development approval processes.”
This description makes it clear that a CL practitioner must have the
ability to draw together knowledge from a variety of sources and
disciplines.1
1 National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure
1999 (April 2013), NEPC 2013, Canberra.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
3
MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR
CL SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
THE CL SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTS ARE:






An environment-related degree and evidence thereof.
Ten years of full time equivalent experience in CL practice during
the last fifteen years. At least the most recent three years must be
supported by documentary evidence such as reports or other
publications.
Nomination by three respected environmental professionals who
are willing to act as referees for the candidate.
Evidence that the candidate is a respected, competent, ethical and
active member of the profession in the form of at least two referee
statements (with at least one external to the applicant’s current
place of employment), a detailed curriculum vitae, reports,
publications, citations, conference/seminar presentations, etc.
Evidence of and ongoing commitment to training and professional
improvement (at least 100 points of training, professional
improvement, service to professional practice over a two year
period). Fifty percent must be directly related to CL practice.
A signed and witnessed statement of claim covering qualifications,
experience, ethics, commitment and the accuracy of the materials
provided to the Certification Board.
These Guidance Notes are provided to assist prospective applicants
assess their eligibility for CEnvP (CL Specialist) certification and
complete the necessary application requirements.
To further assist applicants with the application process, answers to
frequently asked questions (FAQs) can be found on the CEnvP website,
www.cenvp.org/faq.php.
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Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
KEY PROFICIENCIES OF CL SPECIALISTS
Due to the cross-disciplinary nature of CL work, a CEnvP CL Specialist
must have the ability to apply knowledge and experience in numerous
aspects. The following abilities must be demonstrated by a CL
Specialist in their written application and interview.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY





Competency to lead and integrate multidisciplinary CL studies at
all scales and to look beyond mere regulatory compliance to
promote best practice.
Methods for scoping and prioritising relevant environmental and
health issues, relative importance and investigations required to
address them.
Thorough knowledge and application of the CLA-related law and
other regulatory instruments in the jurisdiction(s) in which the
Specialist operates.
Thorough knowledge and application of best practice CL
guidance, including guidance from other jurisdictions.
A detailed knowledge of many of the following contaminated land
investigation and assessment fundamentals, with an ability to
understand when a gap in knowledge exists and knowledge must
be sought from elsewhere:
 air quality (volatile emissions and dust) assessment
relating to contamination;
 assessment of impacts on groundwater from
contaminated sites;
 contaminant fate and transport;
 environmental chemistry;
 environmental sampling;
 environmental and human toxicology;
 geology and hydrogeology;
 human health and ecological risk assessment relating to
contamination;
 identification of contaminants of concern from past
industrial land uses;
 remediation technologies and geo-technology; and
 soil science.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
5

A detailed understanding of published guideline values and their
limitations, particularly the jurisdiction-specific policy embedded
within the values.

An understanding of site-specific assessment where using
published guidelines is not appropriate or does not give the best
solutions.

Thorough knowledge of contaminated land management
techniques available, including institutional management tools,
remedial options for soil, groundwater and soil gas, and the
environmental impacts of these options.

An appreciation of the emerging issues, trends and techniques in
CL nationally and internationally.

Knowledge of commercial and contractual issues associated with
land redevelopment and land/property transfer as affected by land
contamination.

Thorough knowledge of health and safety issues, including
workplace safety law, associated with conducting CL related work.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Effective and efficient CL requires robust interpersonal skills across a
range of stakeholders, and entails the ability to:
6

Demonstrate communication skills required for effective
stakeholder engagement, collaboration and consultation, including
communication of risks, or lack of risks, presented by land
contamination.

Clearly express complex concepts and ideas, orally and in writing.

Develop effective working relationships with stakeholders,
including property owners/developers, contractors, consultants,
general public, community groups and local and central
government regulators.

Understand and address conflicting viewpoints of different
stakeholders.

Exercise perception and judgment in dealing with complex and
sensitive issues.

Act ethically.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
NOTES FOR PRACTITIONERS APPLYING FOR CENVP
AND CL SPECIALISATION CONCURRENTLY
Practitioners can apply for both CEnvP and CL Specialist certification
at the same time. An applicant will not be recommended for CL
Specialist certification, however, unless they are also deemed eligible
by the Panel for standard CEnvP certification.
Please see the Checklist (Column B) on Page 19 for required
documentation.
A one-time non-refundable CEnvP Certification Application fee PLUS
the Specialist Certification fee applies (refer to www.cenvp.org/apply/
payment), and is due at the time of application.
NOTES FOR CURRENT CENVPS UPGRADING
Please see the Checklist (Column A) on Page 19 for required
documentation.
A one time non-refundable CEnvP Specialist Certification fee applies,
and is due upon submission in order for a candidate’s application to
be considered.
NOTES FOR CONTAMINATED LAND AUDITORS APPLYING
Contaminated land auditors accepted by an environmental regulatory
agency, under relevant legislation, are considered to have been
suitably assessed and need only submit an abridged application for
CL Specialist. Reduced application and renewal fees also apply for
auditors.
Please see the Checklist (Column C) on Page 19 for required
documentation.
A one time non-refundable CEnvP Specialist Certification fee applies,
and is due upon submission in order for a candidate’s application to
be considered.
Applicants who are certified under another environmental
professional membership based scheme, may also be eligible for
submission of an abridged application and a reduced application fee.
Please contact the Program Manager at info@CEnvP.org for further
information.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
7
PART A
ADMINISTRATION & PAYMENT
The application form must be completed in full and forwarded with:
ORIGINAL PAGES
the application fee (see the fees table at
www.cenvp.org/apply/payment)

supporting evidence of claim (complete with signatures and
certified copies of qualifications)
Please ensure that all parts are completed and signed where
indicated.
Completed application forms can be submitted by post, online or via
email.
Email your application to applications@cenvp.org. The size of
documents sent electronically should be restricted to 20mb.
Note: you are required to post the witnessed ‘Part H: Statement of
Claim’ and certified copies of your qualification documents to the
address below. Both items will need the original certifying/witness
signatures on the hard copy.
ONLINE
Upload your scanned application form to www.cenvp.org/
applications.php#upload. Remember to enter your Full Name in
the ‘description’ box. The size of documents sent electronically
should be restricted to 20mb.
Note: you are required to post the witnessed ‘Part H: Statement of
Claim’ and certified copies of your qualification documents to the
address below. Both items will need the original certifying/witness
signatures on the hard copy.
POST
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
EMAIL
You are required to post the
witnessed ‘Part H: Statement of
Claim’ and certified copies of your
qualification documents to the
CEnvP office. Both items will need
the original certifying/witness
signatures on the hard copy.

Forward whole application to:
Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme
Suite 109, 685 Burke Road
Camberwell VIC 3124
AUSTRALIA
Incomplete or flawed applications
will be delayed until all missing
materials are received, and may
result in an application being held
until the following intake.
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Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
PART B
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
An environment degree or a degree with a substantial environmental
component will generally constitute the minimum requirement. In the
case of the latter, further information verifying the environmental
content must be provided (e.g. a transcript or academic record).
An environment-related
degree and evidence thereof.
In exceptional circumstances, ten years of appropriate work experience
may be submitted in lieu of a suitable tertiary qualification.
Evidence of these qualifications in the form of certified copies is
required (see http://www.ag.gov.au/statdec for suggested Authorised
Signatories in Australia, and http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/
public/1957/0088/latest/DLM314584.html in New Zealand).
A certified A4 sized copy must be posted to CEnvP. Do not send your
original testamur/parchment as it will not be returned.
Current CEnvPs applying for Specialist Certification do not need to
provide evidence of their educational qualifications.
Contaminated land auditors accepted by an environmental regulatory
agency, under relevant legislation, will need to provide evidence of
their accreditation. A certified A4 sized copy must be posted to CEnvP.
Do not send your original accreditation document as it will not be
returned.
PART C
STATEMENT OF ETHICAL CONDUCT
Ensure that the form is fully completed, and you have signed and dated
in the relevant boxes showing you understand and agree to abide by
the EIANZ Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
9
PART D
REFEREES
Three respected environmental professionals willing to act as referees
are required. Each must have known the applicant for at least two
years.
The applicant must include information on referees’ qualification,
employment and relationship to the applicant.
Referee Reports must be provided from at least two of the nominated
referees, including:
Nomination by three
respected environmental
professionals who are willing
to support application.

an experienced CL practitioner who is a CEnvP CL Specialist or
would be eligible to apply for CEnvP CL Specialist themselves

an environmental professional external to the applicant’s current
place of work who is familiar with the applicants work on one or
more of the ‘Four Examples of Professional Proficiency’ provided in
PART G.
PART E
WORK EXPERIENCE
In order to be eligible for CEnvP CL Specialist status, an applicant must
have ten years of full-time relevant/related experience in the functional
areas of CL during the last 15 years in three or more of the following
areas:








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Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
Scoping, designing, conducting and project management of
complex CL investigations;
Conduct or review site-specific risk assessments;
Development or implementation of risk management or remedial
strategies, including preparation of monitoring plans, site
management plans and remedial action plans;
Participation in stakeholder engagement and risk communication,
including public meetings;
Preparation and presenting independent expert evidence in
environmental planning or court hearings;
Acting as an independent reviewer or auditor (or similar), preferably
as part of a statutory process;
Contributing to CL policy development; or
Teaching and research in CLA.
Ten years of full time
equivalent experience in CL
practice during the last
fifteen years. At least the
most recent three years must
be supported by
documentary evidence such
as reports or other
publications.
Certification will recognise supervisory, research, policy, regulation,
community conservation work and teaching as contributing in part or
whole to the ten years ‘functional experience’, providing the applicant
can demonstrate how these have contributed to relevant competence.
Special dispensation may also be provided for those returning to the
workforce from a long leave period associated with illness or parental
leave.
Demonstration of work experience and professional proficiencies is
shown by work verification signatures for ten years of professional CL
practice over the past 15 years and a current detailed CV.
The experience claimed for the minimum ten years must be fully
relevant to management and improvement of the environment, and all
should be independently verified by signature (e.g. current or former
employer, senior colleague, referee who knew the applicant at that
time). These individuals may be contacted by the Assessment Panel or
Certification Board.
The applicant must nominate a maximum of three areas of
Environmental Practice. The nominated areas will be used to assess
your eligibility for CEnvP and once certified these nominated areas will
be used in online profiles and directories.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
11
PART F
COMMITMENT TO CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Standard CEnvP Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
requirements apply. Once accepted for certification, applicants must
keep a log of professional development undertaken. A points system
has been devised to describe the CPD and the total of 100 points
requirement.
CL Specialist CPD requirements must be fulfilled through CL specific
activities, with at least fifty percent consisting of activities that directly
contribute to the field’s higher level processes, policy and strategy.
Evidence of and ongoing
commitment to training and
professional improvement (in
the order of 100 points of
training, professional
improvement, service to
professional practice over a
two year period). Fifty percent
must be directly related to CL
practice.
12
A guide with examples is provided in the CEnvP CPD Log available at
www.CEnvP.org/apply.
Certification is reviewed every two years. At this time the applicant
will need to provide evidence of CPD and a statement verifying any
changed circumstances including employment and ethical conduct.
Specialist applicants must provide evidence supporting any claims of
any recent CPD activity with the application. Must be completed on the
official CEnvP CPD Log Form available at www.CEnvP.org/apply.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
PART G
REFEREE REPORTS
Referee Reports must be provided from at least two of the nominated
referees in PART D, including:
Evidence in the form of
referee reports (at least two),
detailed curriculum vitae,
publications, citations,
reports, etc. that the
candidate is a respected,
competent, ethical and active
member of the profession.

an experienced CL practitioner who is a CEnvP CL Specialist or
would be eligible to apply for CEnvP CL Specialist themselves

an environmental professional external to the applicant’s current
place of work who is familiar with the applicants work on one or
more of the ‘Four Examples of Professional Proficiency’ provided in
PART G.
The Referee Reports must provide sufficient information to
demonstrate how the nominated referees meet the above
requirements.
Referee Reports must cover the applicant’s skills and attributes as they
specifically relate to CL practice, ethics and professional integrity, and
must be completed on the official CEnvP Referee Report Form
available at www.CEnvP.org/apply.
The Referee should follow the instructions and complete all questions
separately as marked on the form, otherwise there may be delays in
processing the application. The document must be signed by hand, but
can be scanned and submitted by email.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
See Page 9 for details.
DETAILED CURRICULUM VITAE
Your CV must be detailed and describe experience, roles and
responsibilities, skills, outcomes, achievements, citations (evidenced in
journals, articles, reports, books, etc.), presentations, etc.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
13
FOUR EXAMPLES OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY
Applicants should be able to demonstrate professional competency,
analytical capability and the interpersonal skills required for effective
and efficient CL processes through the provision of four documents.
These should include a detailed account of at least three of the most
recent years of CL specific experience . Competencies are listed on
Page 5 under ‘Professional Competency’ and ‘Interpersonal Skills’.
The documents should be either available on the web or of a size that
can be emailed. Any documents subject to confidentiality should be
clearly noted.
For each document, the applicant must provide a brief (e.g. one page)
statement addressing the following questions:
Four documents to
demonstrate that the
applicant has the required
professional proficiency.
1. What were the key features and context of the project?
2. What was the nature and extent of your role, and over what time
period?
3. What were the main areas of concern or stakeholder conflict (if
any) related to the project, and how did you assist in addressing
these?
4. What were some of the challenges you had to deal with? Why did
you make the decisions you did?
5. What environmental outcome did you achieve? To what extent did
your advice influence the outcome?
6. In hindsight, could you have achieved a better outcome?
7. What does your work on this project demonstrate about your
expertise in CLA?
8. Is the document available for reference by the panel if required
and, if so, where?
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Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
Evidence of publication in CL
citations (books, journals,
articles or reports).
It is not necessary to provide copies of supporting documentation to be
submitted, if a list of materials is provided in “PART G: Further evidence
of Claim” table on the application form. Web addresses should be
provided for documents available on the web. The Convenor and/or
Assessment Panel will indicate when arranging Assessment Panel
interviews which documents should be brought, or provided prior, to
the interview.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Information may include but not necessarily be limited to testamurs,
academic records, publications, citations, reports, training records,
record of CPD activities undertaken, written statements of service, or
information supplied by a witness, associate or referee.
The size of documents sent electronically should be restricted to 20mb.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
15
PART H
A signed (and witnessed)
statement of claim covering
qualifications, experience,
ethics, commitment and the
accuracy of materials
provided to the Certification
Board.
STATEMENT OF CLAIM STATUTORY DECLARATION
All applicants are required to sign a statutory declaration that the
materials they have provided are accurate and complete in the
presence of an appropriately authorised witness authority (e.g. Justice
of the Peace or other relevant qualification in the jurisdiction).
Please see http://www.ag.gov.au/statdec for suggested Authorised
Signatories in Australia, and http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/
public/1957/0088/latest/DLM314584.html in New Zealand.
Applicants must initial the relevant box next to their applicable location
as indicated by ‘x’.
The original Statement of Claim Statutory Declaration must be posted
to CEnvP.
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Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
Application Process
Applications will be sought and processed in batches biannually.
Applicants can expect a period of up to two months before they are
notified of a requirement to attend an interview. Typically, March and
September intake interviews are held in May and November,
respectively.
Application processing times typically take around 6 months, but may
take up to 12 months, particularly where an insufficient or incomplete
application is provided.
CEnvP Certification Board &
Assessment Panels
The Certification Board oversees the Certification process and is made
up of respected environmental practitioners from Australia and New
Zealand.
The Certification Board is supported by Assessment Panels. The
panels consist of panel members who will undertake a detailed
assessment of applications and conduct assessment interviews. The
panel members are highly respected CL professionals who are well
known for their experience, proficiency and ethical behaviour.
The Assessment Panel will convene to consider an application and on
condition that all relevant information is provided with the application,
make arrangements for an interview with the applicant.
Interviews for CEnvP (CL Specialist) are proposed to be undertaken in
person at the relevant capital city or a regional centre where possible.
The applicant is advised of the time and place for the interview and
what additional documentation, if any, must be provided. At the
assessment interview, candidates are asked to review a CASE STUDY
and answer questions in writing in regard to the case study, as well as
being asked questions relating to experience, proficiencies and ethical
conduct. The interview is approximately 2 hours.
Following the interview, the Assessment Panel submits a Panel Report
to the Board Application Ratification Committee (BARC), who review
both the Application and Panel Report in detail before making a formal
recommendation to the Certification Board.
The Certification Board then ratify the BARC recommendation and
assign a delegate to advise the Applicant.
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
17
Payment of Fees
The returned application form must be accompanied by the nonrefundable application fee (refer to table on www.cenvp.org/apply/
payment).
Post-Nominal Designation
Upon certification the additional
qualification of Certified
Environmental Practitioner
Contaminated Land Specialist, or
“CEnvP (CL Specialist)”, will follow a
professional’s name denoting a peer
recognised level of ethical and
professional proficiency in
contaminated land.
The Assistant Registrar will record details of the application in the
CEnvP database. Provided the core materials have been submitted,
the application is forwarded to the relevant Registrar for preliminary
checks to ensure that the application is ready to be forwarded to an
Assessment Panel.
An advice of receipt of the application will be sent to the candidate.
In the case of an incomplete application, it will be referred back to the
candidate for correction.
Application fees are non-refundable unless it is obvious to the Registrar
that the applicant cannot meet certain criteria, in which case the
application will be returned to the applicant together with a portion of
the application fee.
If the application is successful applicants will be certified on receipt of
their annual certification fee.
Specialist Certification renewal fees are in addition to standard CEnvP
renewal fees. Annual Renewal Fees are due at the start of each
calendar year.
Photos:
Unwanted Chairs by Michael Coghlan is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Oil well pump jacks by Richard Masoner / Cycleli is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Oil Refineries: Sulfur is in the air by RonAlmog is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Oil pattern 2 by Anders Sandberg is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Open coal mine Garzweiler II by Bert Kaufmann is licensed under CC BY 2.0
18
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
COMPLETED APPLICATION CHECKLIST
In order to ensure your application has been filled out correctly and completely, please tick the Completed
Application Checklist below.
New Applicants applying for both CEnvP and Specialist Certification concurrently should submit items listed
in Column B. Current CEnvP Applicants should submit items listed in Column A. Accredited Auditors
should submit items listed in Column C.
A
B
C
Have you included:
PART A : ADMINISTRATION
o
o
o
Contact Details and Application Fee
PART B : EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
-
o
o
-
-
o
-
o
o
Evidence of educational qualifications (must be Certified Copies, see Page 9).
Evidence of accreditation as an Auditor (must be a Certified Copy, see Page 9).
PART C : STATEMENT OF ETHICAL CONDUCT
Signed statement of ethical conduct and agreement to abide by the
EIANZ Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct
PART D : REFEREES
o
o
o
Details of 3 nominated referees who are respected environmental professionals including their:
o Qualifications
o Current position
o Relationship to the applicant
o Contact details
o If referee is also listed on Part E, have they signed Part E?
PART E : WORK EXPERIENCE
o
o
o
Verification of work experience with signatures of verifiers
o Signatures for at least 10 years of professional contaminated land work experience
PART F : COMMITMENT TO CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
o
o
o
Signed commitment to a minimum of 100 points of professional development over a 2-year period
PART G : FURTHER EVIDENCE OF CLAIM
o
o
o
Have you listed each item supporting your evidence of claim?
o
o
o
Referee reports from at least two of your nominated referees, that are:
o an experienced CL practitioner, who is or would be eligible to apply for CEnvP CL Specialist
o an environmental professional external to your current place of work who is familiar with your work on
one or more of the examples of professional proficiency.
o completed on the Referee Report form provided at www.CEnvP.org/apply
o signed (providing evidence that the referee is aware of the purpose of her/his report)
o
o
o
Detailed curriculum vitae including at least the last fifteen years of working experience
o
o
-
Four Examples of Professional Proficiency and a statement on each how applicant meets CL
proficiencies.
o
o
o
A list of recent Continuing Professional Development activities. CPD Log form is provided at
www.CEnvP.org/apply.
PART H : STATEMENT OF CLAIM STATUTORY DECLARATION
o
o
o
A signed and witnessed Statement of Claim, that is:
o Initialled in the appropriate box to indicate your State/jurisdiction
o Witnessed by an appropriately qualified authority (see page 9)
o Includes the witness’ qualification to witness statutory declarations in a legible format
Application for CEnvP (CL Specialist)
19
Further Information
For further information regarding the completion
of the application form please contact the
CEnvP Office at info@CEnvP.org.
CE15-07-ver4.02