Volunteers’ week: Spotlight on Membership Assessors
Volunteers collectively form the backbone of CIEEM, with hundreds of individuals contributing their time to support every part of the Institute at all levels. Within the membership team a total of 69 assessors underpin CIEEM’s applications process and, without their support, we wouldn’t be able to operate as we do. Every Associate, Full and Chartership application is reviewed by multiple dedicated volunteers who ensure that the high professional standards expected of CIEEM members are upheld.
With a steady rise in applications, the role of our Assessors has become increasingly vital. For example, between January and December 2024, CIEEM received over 2,000 applications from individuals looking to upgrade or gain membership, spanning all grades from Student to Qualifying, Associate, Full and Chartership.*
Associate and Full Application Assessors
In 2024, 27 volunteers dedicated nearly 650 hours collectively to assess 655 Associate and Full applications, which comprised of an impressive 2780 individual competency submissions. Their hard work was essential in supporting 269 individuals to achieve Associate membership and 190 to gain Full membership. Of those who did not achieve membership on their first attempt, most were able to successfully evidence five or six of the seven required competencies. For the majority of applicants, only one resubmission was needed to demonstrate the remaining competencies and successfully attain Associate or Full membership. These resubmissions are also supported by Assessors, who provide constructive feedback on competencies that were not evidenced in line with CIEEM’s Competency Framework.
Chartership Assessors
The route to becoming a Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) or Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) differ slightly, though both require applicants to submit evidence demonstrating their competencies. The number of competencies needed for chartership varies, and an additional interview stage is included in the process.
Throughout 2024, Chartership Assessors dedicated a significant amount of time to reviewing applications and conducting interviews. In total, 40 Assessors generously volunteered over 196 hours of their time collectively to support the assessment process, helping to welcome 28 newly Chartered professionals into the sector. Due to the collective efforts of both CEcol and CEnv Assessors, 23 Chartered Ecologists and 5 Chartered Environmentalists were successfully admitted.
By generously contributing their time, knowledge, and expertise, volunteer Assessors play a crucial role in ensuring that membership is awarded only to those who meet the required professional standards. Their support not only helps individual members achieve their career aspirations but also upholds the high standards of ecological and environmental work, maintains the integrity of CIEEM membership, and reinforces the trust placed in our members by employers, clients, and the wider sector.
Assessor Committees
In addition to their hard work on applications, many Assessors also serve as members on committees within CIEEM. For example, the Membership Applications Committee (MAC) is made up of Assessors who review Associate and Full applications and oversee the implementation of membership regulations by continuously monitoring and updating eligibility criteria, ensuring our standards evolve in line with professional practice. Similarly, a dedicated group of Chartered Ecologist and Chartered Environmentalist Assessors make up the Registration Authority (RA) Committee, which manages the Register of Chartered professionals. Over the course of 2024, these committees collectively volunteered over 270 hours to reviewing application and membership processes, ensuring that procedures remained up to date and aligned with professional best practice.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the ongoing hard work and dedication of our Assessors in supporting both members and the Secretariat. Their invaluable contributions have helped thousands of individuals achieve membership and gain professional recognition. If you do ever meet an Assessor or committee member, please do take the opportunity to recognise the crucial role they play in upholding the high standards of our profession.
Become an Assessor
As our membership continues to grow, so does the need for individuals to help shape the future of our profession and uphold the integrity of the Institute. We encourage all current Associate, Full, Chartered Ecologist, and Chartered Environmentalist members who are passionate about supporting the sector’s development to consider volunteering as an Assessor. By getting involved, you could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the sector and advancing the careers of fellow members.
For more information on becoming an assessor and learning about the time commitments involved, please contact the Membership Team at membership@CIEEM.net.
* Assessors only review CIEEM’s formally assessed membership grades of Associate and above; Student and Qualifying applications are reviewed by the secretariat only.