Certification for Ecologists

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Contents

Background Information

Consultation on Eligibility Criteria in New Zealand

The Ecological Society of America Certification Scheme (designed for Academics)

Some Dangers for Ecology on the Way to Becoming a Profession

Introduction and Objectives

At the EIANZ Annual Conference on 20 October 2009, a workshop was run on the development of standards for ecologists. The aim of the workshop was to produce a set of Competency Criteria, that could be used to identify candidates for certification as ecologists. This was to be done in two phases:


1. Identification of skills and knowledge that characterise an ecologist (as opposed to any other discipline); and

2. Identification of Specific, Measurable, Achievable and Realistic (SMAR) measurement criteria that could be used to assess skills and knowledge.


A framework for identifying proficiencies has been created by EnviroPartners, as research into a possible STEP program under CEnvP. This usefully identifies a draft set of 23 "Environmental Proficiencies" and the skill and knowledge that a practitioner would need to demonstrate their proficiency under these headings.

Much of the "skill" and "knowledge" required to be proficient is generic i.e. applies to all disciplines. This may include, for example, the ability to problem-solve or write an intelligible report. Some skills however, vary between disciplines and the report identifies these. The consultation period for the production of a set of Ecological Proficiencies is now over. The final list is taken forward (below) into the the second phase.

Second Phase - DRAFT CRITERIA TO ASSESS SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF ECOLOGISTS


Refer to the list of Ecological Proficiencies developed in the first round of consultation and enter measurement criteria suitable for assessing the proficiency of a practitioner. The aim is to use the final assessment criteria as the basis of decisions whether or not to grant ecological certification to an applicant and to recognise that individual's specific skills. It is acknowledged that certified individuals may wish to be recognised as particular specialists even within the ecology profession. The assessment criteria should be adequate to identify these. 

Column Headings: It has not yet been decided whether or not certification of ecologists should be a two step process. It is recognised that career professionals move from a technical to more generalist skill-base and that it may be useful to acknowledge these differences. For example, early career stage ecologists may develop very specific field skills or computer literacy e.g. GIS. Later career professionals may be more commonly managing project teams and overseeing EcIA processes.

Row Headings: There are three components to certification assessment. The first are written eligibility. These requirements are already well established by the CEnvP board and have been added to the table already, though amendments may be considered, based on this consultation. The interview is an opportunity for a panel of three practitioners to assess skills and knowledge. The criteria developed here are of particular importance for that process. Continued Professional Development is a requirement of certification and EIANZ membership but consideration might be given to the type of professional development that is most relevant to ecologists.

Remember, all these criteria need to be to some degree SPECIFIC | MEASURABLE | ACHIEVABLE | REALISTIC, noting that there still can be some less tangible measures of proficiency associated with interview.  

Comments: Please only make amendments and additions to text in the table below. Leave any comments you have under the "Discussion" tab at the top of this page.


PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE COLUMN AND ROW HEADINGS

Table 1: Draft Assessment Criteria


 General
Early Career Stage (Technical) Late Career Stage (Generalist)
Written Eligibiity
  • Five years of experience in ecological practice during the last ten years.
  • A relevant ecology related degree, or at least 10 years of demonstrated work in the ecology field.
  • Statement of ethical conduct.
  • Nomination by three respected professionals who are willing to support application.
    • Two of these must be ecologists.
    • All must be prepared to vouch for the candidate's skills and knowledge; and
    • that the candidate is a respected competent, ethical and active member of the ecology profession.
  • Evidence in the form of referee statements (at least two)
  • Evidence of publication in ecology citations (books, journals, articles or reports). 
  • A Curriculum vitae.
  • Reasonable evidence of existing training and professional development effort (100 points of CPD over a two year period)
  • A signed (and witnessed) statement of claim covering qualifications, experience, ethics, commitment and accuracy of materials provided to the certification board.


Interview


Candidate to describe how their work over the past ten years has applied current ecological scientific principles and procedures.

Candidate to describe the use and limitations of ecological science in their work.

Candidate to demonstrate clear understanding and practical implications of social, economic and environmental sustainability dimensions of their work.

Candidate to describe processes used for maintenance of professional standards (e.g. through use of peer reviews, inependent audits, advisory bodies etc.).

Evidence of direct appliaction in practical or theoretical applications.
 Either direct use or supervision of ecologists involved in practical or theoretical applications.

Continued Professional Development

Candidate to describe evidence of ongoing professional development in areas of relevance to ecological practice and principles.

Candidate to demonstrate a clear understanding of the importance of ongoing professional development in their work.

Evidence of ongoing professional development required (self).
 Evidence of ongoing professional development (self) and if managerial position provision of ongling professional development (e.g. through use of external providers or teaching, coaching, mentoring of ecologists).





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