INTRODUCTION

This guidance sets out the process, and requirements, that you are expected to follow when submitting your membership application.

The flowchart provided provides an overview of the professional application process for the different routes to membership.

We now only accept online applications through the website on the 'join us' page. You need to download the form and submit it through your account, once it’s been completed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The number of ‘parts’ in different membership grade application forms varies, therefore ‘part’ numbering has been removed in this guidance.

The Management Committee peer review applications to assess, and approve, them. Your application will be determined at the next Management Committee meeting after receipt of your application.  Membership Management Committee meetings are held three times per year, so it may take up to 14 weeks for your application to be processed, which also includes administration time.

Should the Management Committee have clarifications regarding your application, it may request a telephone interview and / or request that you attend a relevant training course, to be able to peer review, and validate, your skills and experience.

Our position on the role of an EnvCoW is located here; please ensure you have read it and be mindful of it when completing your application.

Please be concise with your responses and be wary of using words like 'ensure' when describing the role, as EnvCoWs are only monitor compliance, in outlined in our position statement, and cannot take responsibility for 'ensuring' works, or compliance. If you state that you 'ensure' works, this will likely invoke clarifications. 

If you receive clarifications from the Management Committee regarding your application, applicants must respond within 4 weeks from date of the email, or your application may be rejected.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Please provide all details requested in the form as accurately as possible.

Please ensure that the name you use matches the name on any supporting documents (e.g. please do not use nick names if your academic qualifications are given in your full name).

EDUCATION

This is not applicable to Affiliate applications.

Please complete these sections as accurately as possible, or upload your CV with equivalent information, so that the details provided match any copies of your qualification certificates you provide with your application. Please ensure that you state the type of qualification obtained (e.g. HND, BSc, BA, MSc, MA, etc).

TRAINING

This is not applicable to Affiliate applications.

Note there is an obligation on all members to maintain their skills through regular training.  Training can be through formal courses, work experience and/or personal study and it is a requirement of the Code of Conduct.

If you do not have relevant education qualifications relating to your role, then it is imperative that you demonstrate a comprehensive history of training, and / or continued professional development (CPD).

EMPLOYMENT

Please ensure that the description of your main duties highlights your roles and responsibilities within each post you have held as accurately as possible, to provide us with an understanding of your overall career experiences.

PROJECTS

Project information is not applicable to Affiliate applications.

The Management Committee will assess your experience against the qualifying membership criteria (see Table 1), as well as the quality of your answers,

Table 1: Qualifying Membership Criteria

Membership Grade Description Criteria
Affiliate Affiliate membership is open to anyone with an interest in environmental management, EnvCoW, or environmental compliance monitoring in the construction industry. This membership grade does not convey any inference of competence. Applicants are required to demonstrate an interest in EnvCoW / environmental compliance in the construction industry.

Graduate /

Entry Level

 A recent graduate, apprentice, or someone at the beginning of their EnvCoW career, already undertaking full or part-time work in the environmental sector, or are volunteering to gain experience. You have a basic understanding of EnvCoW terminology and concepts, and some experience of their practical application. This membership is for members who are working towards a competence-assessed membership grade and Entry Level members are expected to work closely, or shadow, more experienced EnvCoWs. Applicants are required to have a relevant degree and / or limited experience, and provide information on any previous paid/voluntary projects relevant to AECoW. Applicants must demonstrate how they work closely with, or shadow, more experienced EnvCoWs.
Associate Associate members have already established their EnvCoW careers and are providing EnvCoW services to projects with low environmental risk. Associates are expected to work closely, or shadow, more experienced EnvCoWs. These members have aspirations to increase their knowledge and experience, develop their careers and promote the highest standards. Applicants are required to demonstrate two years ‘regular’ (eg. weekly) EnvCoW experience, as defined by AECoW in our position statement ‘The Role of an EnvCoW’. Please provide example projects and a description of your involvement in providing monitoring compliance services, including key decisions made, actions taken and responsibilities. It is desirable that they have qualifying membership (or equivalent) of a primary industry body (CIEEM, IEMA, CIWEM). Applicants must demonstrate how they work closely with, or shadow, more experienced EnvCoWs.
Full Full membership is AECoWs highest level grade and is reserved for those EnvCoW with the experience, knowledge, and confidence to deliver the role during the construction phase of projects with a high level of environmental risk. This includes an in-depth knowledge of a variety of environmental constraints in addition to construction contracts, methods and terminology. The Full applicants are required to demonstrate four years ‘regular’ (eg. weekly) compliance monitoring / EnvCoW experience, as defined by AECoW in its EnvCoW position statement ‘The Role of An EnvCoW’. Please provide example projects and a description of your involvement in providing monitoring compliance services, including key decisions made, actions taken and responsibilities. Applications must have also attained full, or chartered, membership of a primary industry body (CIEEM, IEMA, CIWEM).
 
EnvCoWs come from a range of backgrounds and associated technical disciplines; as such, the Management Committee is unable to consistently assess, or endorse, all applicants technical competence, which applicants are expected to apply to the EnvCoW role. Therefore, we rely on applicants (particularly those applying for Full membership) proving their competency in their technical field through an appropriate primary institution, which we use to benchmark technical competency/skills. Secondly, we assess an application on its EnvCoW skills/experiences, in line with our position statements on our website. As we are a small, voluntary Management Committee with limited resources, and given the breadth / depth of environmental disciplines/backgrounds, this approach is considered best for AECoW to fairly, and transparently, support our aims and objectives, and reduce risk, whilst assessing membership applications.

PERSONAL STATEMENT (MAX 100 WORDS)
You need to demonstrate your understanding of the EnvCoW / compliance monitoring role and to explain why you wish to become a member of AECoW. The use of bullet points is acceptable.

REFEREE / SPONSOR GUIDANCE

You must send your application to your referees / sponsors to verify, prior to submitting it. In validating the application,

  • Full, and Associate, membership applicants are required to provide two referees. They must be from two different sources, for example, one line manager, and one client, or stakeholder, or previous employer.
  • Graduates / Entry Level and Affiliate membership applicants are required to provide one referee / sponsor, who can validate your skills and experience, such as a university tutor, or colleague.

If you are applying for membership as an Associate / Full member, your referees must:

  • Provide a description of how they know you in relation to your relevant experience and skills (e.g. 'Line manager/Project Manager/Contracts Manager/Discipline Lead)
  • Confirm that they have an overview of the work, and experience, relevant to the membership grade you are applying for
  • Confirm how you meet the requirements of your qualifying membership criteria, outlined above
  • Explicitly confirm how you have delivered the role of an EnvCoW, as outlined in our position statement 'The Role of an EnvCoW'
  • Confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, you have answered the questions above truthfully.

PAYMENT

Please refer to membership costs for annual subscription fees.

Your membership commences from when your application has been successfully determined and you will be notified via emailed. Membership is for a 12 month period and you will receive an automated email to pay your subscription fees via Paypal or credit card. We do not accept payment in any other way, as payment must be made through your account. You must pay your subscription fees within 14 days for your membership status to be finalised.

Prior to your membership expiring, you will be sent renewal reminders. If you do not pay your renewal fee, your membership will be automatically expire on the date given in your email reminder.

RELEVANT FILE UPLOAD

All applicants must submit the following documentation:

  1. CV (two page max, particularly if training & education parts are not completed in the form)
  2. Copies of qualifications (if obtained)
  3. Copies of professional membership/s or qualification/s (if obtained)

Affiliate is only required to upload CV (two page max).

EnvCoW DATABASE

This part is for Full and Associate members only and it is optional.

Should your application be successful, you have the opportunity to have your name included on our Directory of EnvCoWs.  The Directory is available publicly, via the AECoW website, and will allow clients, and peers, to find EnvCoWs, across the UK.