Green Education and Career Path: Environmental Assessment Certifications

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The storm cloud of the financial crisis that has gripped the world over the last year does have a silver lining. That lining is the recognition that the business models that have been used for decades may not be in the best interest of individuals, corporations or countries for the long term. Sustainability and environmental stewardship has emerged as a more widely accepted business model and to some the only hope of lifting the world out of recession. Therefore, while there has always been the need for environmental assessments, the market for these types of services will experience consistent growth for the foreseeable future.

The Environmental Assessment Association (EAA) is a leading professional organization dedicated to providing its members with information, education and—to qualified environmental experts—professional certification. EAA’s membership is comprised of professionals from over 30 countries involved in Phase I site assessment, Phase II sampling and testing, and Phase III remediation, as well as environmental consultants, managers and other professionals involved in the environmental industry.

Environmental inspection is a must for all real estate transactions; it uncovers unsafe conditions such as stained soil, storage tanks, vegetation damage and—with simple testing—lead paint, radon, water problems and more. An international organization and the largest of its type in the world, the Environmental Assessment Association (EAA) is dedicated to providing members with environmental industry information, education and recognition.

The EAA represents over 5,000 environmental professionals who provide services to a wide variety of clients, including lenders, federal and state agencies, private companies and many others. Its membership consists of environmental inspectors, lenders, remediation firms and government agencies. EAA maintains its position at the forefront of the environmental industry by working proactively with environmental protection agencies.

In addition to providing an unrivaled opportunity to stay on the cutting edge of industry news and developments, EAA offers several professional designations—making it a valuable networking and promotional tool for environmental industry professionals.

EAA offers the following professional designations to qualified members. For all designations except CEM and Industry Member, applicant must have formal education in the form of degree program coursework or continuing education, which may include:
• EAA’s Phase I course
• Night courses pertaining to environmental issues
• Coursework completed through other organizations
• Seminar on environmental studies
In lieu of the above, the applicant must have extensive experience (two years or more) in environmental inspections, specialties or arbitration.

CEI – Certified Environmental Inspector
The CEI performs basic environmental inspections on residential and commercial properties. This entails a visual inspection of the property and researching available environmental data to present a comprehensive report to the client. The inspector understands a broad range of environmental issues at a basic level.

CEM – Certified Environmental Manager
The CEM possesses broad knowledge of environmental issues and has managed one or more persons in the environmental industry. Applicant must have extensive experience (three years minimum) in the environmental field or be in good standing with industry, regulatory agencies and the general public. In lieu of the foregoing, applicant must have worked as a manager (managed one or more persons in the environmental field) for a minimum of three years. In addition, applicant must pass a certification exam administered by EAA.

CES – Certified Environmental Specialist
This designation covers professionals providing a range of services, including environmental testing and hazardous material removal/transportation.

CMI – Certified Mold Inspector
With a broad range of knowledge involving environmental standards and issues, the CMI is qualified to consult others on protocols within the environmental industry.

CMS – Certified Mold Specialist
The CMS is an environmental professional who specializes in a wide range of mold and mold contamination, including assessment, analysis and microbiology.

CTS – Certified Testing Specialist
This designation covers professionals in the field who are testing for environmental hazards; working with field samples and analyzing test results.

CRS – Certified Remediation Specialist
This designation covers professionals who provide various services including, but not limited to, Phase III and remediation services as well as hazardous material handling/removal.

CAQS – Certified Air Quality Specialist
Professionals with this designation have a deep understanding of, and lengthy experience with, residential air quality hazards and their remediation.

CEC – Certified Environmental Consultant
With a broad range of knowledge involving environmental standards and issues, the CEC is qualified to consult others on protocols within the environmental industry.

Industry Member
This non-professional designation is available to those who are interested in entering the environmental field or related activities not covered under the above designations, and to suppliers of environmental products and services to EAA’s membership.

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For more information on the EAA, visit their website at: http://www.eaa-assoc.org/index.php/home.html

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Posted by Gordon Smith on Jun 8 2009. Filed under Certificate, Environmental, Green Career, Green Career Paths, Green Jobs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry