The Value of Certification From a National Perspective

June 9, 2012

Local engineering, construction, and consulting firms involved with land development projects aren’t the only ones that can profit when employees earn any of the various EnviroCert International Inc. (formerly CPESC Inc.) certifications. Companies that develop residential, commercial, and industrial sites on a national level can also benefit when staff members and other key project personnel are certified for their knowledge and experience in the areas of erosion and sediment control (CPESC), stormwater quality (CPSWQ), or construction site inspection (CESSWI) practices.

Weis Builders, a general construction firm based in Minneapolis, MN, builds a variety of commercial projects around the country, including hospitals, large retail centers, hotels, and senior living facilities. Jennifer Hildebrand, CPESC, CPSWQ, CESSWI, is the company’s stormwater compliance manager and works directly with contractors on these projects.

“The CPESC certification is required for this position,” she says. “The knowledge and experience needed to obtain this certification pays off when educating contractors and coordinating erosion and sediment control practices in the many different states and legal jurisdictions where we work. In addition, when a professional achieves this certification, there is an expected level of education and ongoing training. This element also assists our organization to remain current on industry practices.”

Knowing the Rules
Duane Coen is the stormwater compliance manager for Lowe’s Companies Inc., parent company of the nationwide system of Lowe’s Home Centers. He and his associate, James Perry, have both earned CPESC certifications. They conduct an extensive erosion and sediment control training program, which is required for all contractor superintendents on Lowes’ store construction projects.

The company does not require contractors on these projects to be CPESC certified. However, the idea of using CPESC-certified design consultants to prepare stormwater pollution prevention plans on Lowes’ projects has been discussed, Coen reports.

“This offers the potential to improve the level of professionalism of the SWPPPs,” he says. “Although CPESC certification can improve the technical aspects of the plans, the primary benefit to us would be to give design engineers a better understanding of the regulatory requirements of our projects. To become CPESC certified, you have to know how the NPDES permitting system works, how to read and understand the general permits, and how to submit the Notice of Intent when working with developers and the multiple government entities in the different states.”

Confidence Builders
Robert Patterson is the national director of environmental and safety compliance for Pulte Home Corporation, which builds residential developments around the country.

He is one of two staff members nationally who are CPESC certified. Another is a CPESC-In-Training. “We are huge advocates of the certification within the company and encourage our stormwater managers to pursue it,” he reports.

The company is also encouraging its site supervisors, who are responsible for stormwater management, to obtain the CESSWI credential.
“We highly advise our project managers to select local design consultants who have appropriate credentials, particularly a CPESC. The CPESC credential helps assure the quality of erosion and sediment control work on the projects.”

Patterson also likes to see the CPESC credential on the business card of design consultants working on company projects.

“It shows that the person I’m talking with has the required fundamental background in this work, has completed a reference check by CPESC Inc., and is well versed in erosion and sediment control practices,” he explains. “Chances are that person will bring more information to the table and elevate the group’s cumulative IQ.”

The CPESC credential also bolsters the credibility of a project’s erosion and sediment control plan. “In many cases, it provides enhanced perception with regulators,” Patterson says. “When they see that the plan was prepared by a CPESC [certified individual], they know it has gone through the proper due diligence process.”

Multiple Certifications
Paradigm Engineering LLC, of Lewisville, TX, provides stormwater, erosion, and sediment control design and consulting services for industrial, residential, and commercial construction projects throughout the country. Last year, at peak employment, more than 50 of the company’s 330 staff members were certified. They included engineers, geologists, and those certified as CPESC, CPESC-In-Training, or CPSWQ.

“These credentials enhance our credibility,” says Tom Smith, PE, BCEE, DWRE, LEED AP, CGP, CPESC, CPSWQ, and CESSWI, vice president of engineering. “Just because civil engineers can produce an erosion and sediment control plan, or a stormwater pollution prevention plan, doesn’t mean they are current in all aspects of this work. The EnviroCert International Inc. credentials assure our clients that we have the needed expertise to select, install, and maintain BMPs, and to meet federal and state regulations concerning erosion and sediment control and stormwater management.”

The CPESC and CPSWQ certifications also show that the company’s staff can help clients meet requirements of the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System and the National Association of Home Builders’ Model Green Home Building guidelines. The EnviroCert International Inc. credentials show that our staff can help clients meet the requirements of these programs.”