1.  Introduction

The Gas Protection Verification Accreditation Scheme (GPVS) seeks to raise standards in membrane inspection, verification and reporting and provide all stakeholders involved in land contamination management with confidence that risks associated with ground gases have been adequately managed. The scheme applies to both the practical installation of the gas mitigation measures and to the validation reporting process. Recognising different personnel often undertake inspection and reporting, there are two separate accreditation routes to demonstrate competence - ‘Specialist in Gas Protection Verification’ (SGPV) and ‘Technician in Gas Protection Verification’ (TGPV).

Gas Protection Verification Accreditation Scheme (GPVS) assessors are volunteers supporting the registration of SGPV and TGPV individuals. Successful candidates can be recommended as an Assessor following their GPVS assessment.

2.  Information for Assessors

2.1       Role

The role of the Assessor is vital for the GPVS, reviewing the competence of a potential SGPV and TGPV candidate and awarding accredited status.  Such status demonstrates to the construction sector that an individual is regarded by their peers as competent to inspect that ground gas mitigation measures have been installed correctly and recording the results in line with industry guidance (TGPV). For those that are involved in the whole range of gas protection verification, preparation of plans/method statements, inspections and validation reporting (SGPV).

All Assessors will be required to:

• Be an SGPV
• Demonstrate varied experience within the field of gas protection verification and validation
• Appreciate the importance of the GPVS and what it is looking to achieve and to help promote the scheme wherever possible.

Assessors will be required to become involved regularly throughout the year, however reviewing of applicants supporting documentation and interviews will be focused within two windows to help Assessors fit interviews around their busy day jobs. Assessors unable to help in a year may be asked to step down from the panel so that an active assessor can be appointed.

2.2       Place in management structure

• The scheme administrator, CL:AIRE, will liaise on a case by case basis with Assessors and is responsible for deciding which Assessors are allocated to each application.
• CL:AIRE will be available to support assessors if required.

2.3       What the Assessors do

• Before candidate details and their responses to the pre-questionnaire answers are sent to Assessors, Assessors will be asked to verify whether or not there is a potential conflict of interest with the candidates.
• CL:AIRE will liaise with the Assessors as to a suitable interview date.
• Assessors will be required to carry out the interview either face to face (if candidates are local to Assessors) or using CL:AIRE’s own video conferencing technology. Assessors and candidates will be required to have cameras on during their interview.  Interviews will be recorded for quality checking, indecisions and appeals.
• Two Assessors (one Lead Assessor) will be appointed per candidate to review each candidate’s competencies – for their knowledge, understanding and practical skills.
• The two Assessors who are initially assessing the candidate’s knowledge and understanding will be required to assess the candidate and their results recorded on the online forms. If the candidate meets the required standard, the Assessors will submit their results using the online form.  The Assessors will confer and the Lead Assessor will write up their final recommendation and forward the final result electronically to CL:AIRE. If a decision cannot be met a further review of the candidates evidence will be carried out by an additional assessor.

2.4       The Assessors Commitment

• All assessors must ensure they are fully conversant with the GPVS documentation and Code of Conduct.
• It is important that the assessor can allocate sufficient time to the process of assessing an application, given the serious nature of the task.
  • Typically, it may take up to two hours to prepare for the candidate interview by reading the information that the candidate has submitted and reviewing the answers from their pre-interview questions.
  • Assessors have a responsibility to identify the candidate’s potential strengths and weaknesses and formulate a list of questions for the interview.
  • An additional two hours should be set aside to carry out the face to face interviews and uploading the results.
  • Assessors will sign onto the recording system at least 15 minutes in advance of the interview to test the system.
  • If an assessor knows that they will be late for an interview, they must inform CL:AIRE immediately.
  • Interviews must be carried out in suitably quiet surroundings so assessors are not disturbed.
  • Results of the interviews will be uploaded within 3 working days using the online system.
• Assessors must treat all candidates impartially and in confidence.
• Assessors will adhere to the Privacy Protection Policy.
• Following the assessment, the Assessor should only contact the candidate to provide authorised feedback. 

GPVS Code of Conduct

Gas Protection Verification accredited professionals (SGPV and TGPV) shall:

1. Uphold the integrity of the profession.
2. Exercise honesty, diligence, and impartiality in their professional work.
3. Comply with the law.
4. Not allow conflicts of interests to influence their professional decisions and judgement, make all bodies concerned aware of such conflicts.
5. Not accept anything of value from clients, employers or third parties which could be thought to influence their professional judgement.
6. Continually work to maintain and improve their knowledge using a combination of training and practical work; and give reasonable assistance to candidates wishing to enter the profession.
7. Maintain and enhance levels of proficiency, both individually and throughout the profession.
8. When giving advice, make relevant persons aware of the potential consequences and alternatives.
9. Acknowledge their limitations of competence and not undertake any work which he / she knows is beyond their professional capability.
10. Ensure all information given to and contained within data assessments is, to the best of their knowledge, correct and accurate.
11. Not endorse any information or declarations from clients or third parties which they cannot verify as accurate and true.
12. Keep up to date with the GPVS and comply with all the requirements when acting as a SGPV or TGPV including maintaining a CPD record.
13. If a scheme on which they have acted as an SGPV or TGPV is audited by CL:AIRE or a regulator, provide all information that is requested.
14. Uphold and enhance the reputation of the accreditation scheme.

GPVS Code of Conduct

The CL:AIRE GPVS Code of Conduct is designed to ensure the commitment of individuals to the aims and objectives of the GPVS scheme, which are to:

• Continuously improve the competence of gas membrane verification practitioners; and
• Establish, enhance, and uphold the industry’s reputation.
• An Assessor will be expected to confirm a date to carry out the assessment within two weeks of being contacted by CL:AIRE. If this is not possible due to work commitments, they must notify the administrator without delay, so a substitute can be found.
• An Assessor will agree to their name being published on the GPVS website. Assessors names will be made known to applicants (once conflict of interest checks have been carried out), but no connection between Assessors and the candidates they have assessed will be published.
• Assessors commit to being an assessor annually by signing an Assessor Agreement.

2.5       Recognition of the Assessor’s contribution

• CL:AIRE acknowledges the important role of Assessors and will promote the work that they do at every opportunity when marketing the accreditation scheme.
• The contribution made by Assessors will be recognised as part of the CPD requirements.
• Assessors will not receive honoraria or other payments for their time. If travel costs are incurred, reasonable expenses will be met (mileage rates in accordance with Department of Revenue & Customs and standard class rail fare or first class (whichever is cheaper)).  All costs need to be agreed in writing with CL:AIRE in advance of being spent.  All expense claims are to be sent through to CL:AIRE for payment.
• If an Assessor is asked to travel to carry out an assessment, the candidate will incur additional costs to cover the Assessors out of pocket expenses.  This will be agreed with CL:AIRE before the assessment proceeds.

2.6       Candidate Assessment Process

• Candidates will submit the required information online and indicate whether they are applying for SGPV or TGPV.
• Candidates will be automatically assigned a candidate reference number.
• CL:AIRE will carry out an administrative check to see whether the correct supporting documentation has been provided.
• If insufficient supporting information is provided, CL:AIRE will make contact with the candidate and the assessment will be put on hold.
• A conflict of interest check will be carried out with candidates and Assessors.
• CL:AIRE will make contact with potential Assessors.

2.6.1     Knowledge and Understanding

• Assessors acknowledge to CL:AIRE that they are available to carry out the candidates knowledge and understanding interview.
• Assessors to confirm a date that they are available.
• Documentation will be passed to the Assessors for review.
• Initial assessment is undertaken by the two Assessors on the candidate’s knowledge and understanding. The Assessors' reports will be uploaded online.  If it is felt that the candidate did not meet a satisfactory standard, then this will be fed back to the candidate with learning points.  If the two Assessors cannot agree, then a third Assessor will listen to the recording of the interview and a decision will be made.
• If it is felt by the Assessors that the candidate meets the satisfactory requirements, CL:AIRE will be notified and the Assessors' will upload the assessors report.

These guides may help prompt you through the assessment process

2.6.2     Maintaining Standards

• To maintain quality control, on occasions there will be silent observers present at some of the interviews for the knowledge and experience assessment. The silent observers will not participate or speak during the interviews but may assist in any deliberations if required.  New Assessors will be invited to sit in as silent observers on at least two interviews for training purposes.
• CL:AIRE will host biannual online GPVS Assessor meetings to receive updates on the application and assessment process, exchange information and identify good practice.
• Unsuccessful candidates will be provided with feedback from the Assessors via CL:AIRE. An appeals procedure is available.
• Unsuccessful candidates may re-apply at the next opportunity; however, a full fee will be payable. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered the opportunity for advice/mentoring in any areas of weakness identified in the process.  The mentor will be a senior assessor with appropriate skills/ background.   

2.7       Lead Assessor’s Responsibilities during the Candidates Interview

• The Lead Assessor for the candidate has the responsibility for administering the knowledge and experience part of the interview, keeping the interview to time, and maintaining consistent standards.
• The Lead Assessor has the responsibility for recording the interview using CL:AIRE’s conference facilities.
• The Lead Assessor is also responsible for ensuring the interview follows the procedures set out below.
• At the start of the interview the Lead Assessor should spend a few minutes introducing those present and outlining the procedure for the interview and confirming the candidates identification.
• At the end of the interview the Lead Assessor will inform the candidate that they will be notified via electronic letter of the outcome of this stage of their interview within a maximum of two weeks.
• The Lead Assessor should ask if the candidate has any questions and thank them for attending.
• Should it be necessary to inform a candidate that they have not been successful, an electronic letter will be sent to the candidate by CL:AIRE informing them that on this occasion the Assessors did not consider it appropriate to register them as a SGPV or TGPV. Feedback to candidates will be provided from the information that the Assessors provide in the feedback form.
• The letter will encourage the candidate to make another application when they have addressed the bullet points in the letter and will suggest that the candidate might like to request that one of the Assessors contacts them to discuss their application. Normally this would be expected to be the Lead Assessor but, if circumstances dictate, it could be the second Assessor. Contact with the candidate should only be made after the sending of the letter and a request by the candidate via CL:AIRE.   

2.8       Interview Cancellation

• Candidates may be required to pay an administration charge if they cancel their interview at short notice and Assessors have incurred out of pocket expenses.
• If an Assessor is not able to attend on the day, the interview may be cancelled at short notice and a suitable date will be rearranged.
• If this is on the same day as the interview and the candidate has incurred out of pocket expenses, they will be entitled to a refund of reasonable travel expenses on production of tickets and receipts. No other form of compensation is available.

2.9    Appeal Process

• The Assessors’ decision is final and in the case of a dispute, the candidate should be directed to the Appeals process.
• Appeal interviews must be completed within six months.

Application Appeal Procedure