Ecological Society of America Certification
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Contents |
Objectives
To serve the needs of ecologists who wish to establish and validate their professional credentials.
- To guide biologists, government agencies, courts, and the public in defining minimum standards of education and experience for professional ecologists, and to encourage all practicing ecologists to meet such standards.
- To create and maintain public confidence in the advice and opinions of Certified Ecologists as well as educated and experienced professionals who have pledged to uphold the Code of Ethics of the Ecological Society of America and to act in the best interest of the public.
- To assist the public in identifying ecologists by establishing a procedure for critical peer evaluation based upon defined minimum education, experience, and ethical requirements.
Guidelines & Requirements
Levels of Certification
Associate Ecologist
Successful completion of a bachelor's or higher degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university, and at least one year of post-graduate professional experience* gained in the performance of research or development of methods demonstrating technical competence in the current application of ecological principles and/or theory to decision making. Guidelines & Requirements
- Goal & Objectives
- Levels of Certification
- Ethics and Professional Conduct
- Streamlined Process & Forms
Ecologist
- Successful completion of a master's or higher degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university, and at least two years of full-time equivalent professional experience* after degree, OR at least 5 years of professional experience* in addition to the education requirement for Associate Ecologist.
- In addition to experience required for Associate Ecologist, demonstration of ability to perform professional work in ecology such as independent studies, complex data analyses, and formulation and testing of hypotheses must follow completion of the master's degree or the degree level used to qualify for Ecologist's level.
Senior Ecologist
- Successful completion of a doctoral degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university, and at least five years of professional experience*, OR at least 10 years professional experience* in addition to the education requirement for Ecologist.
- Additional experience necessary to qualify at this level includes: a) demonstration, in work output, of thorough knowledge of the literature, scientific principles and theories of ecology, b) demonstration of written original contributions or original interpretation of ecological information, and c) demonstration of technical or organizational competence as evidenced by supervision of projects. Experience must follow completion of the degree level used to qualify for Ecologist.
- An applicant who does not qualify under the above criteria may submit a statement to the Board of Professional Certification explaining why and how the intent of the education and experience requirements is satisfied.
Streamlined Application Requirements
- Must be an ESA members
- Must meet the requirements of a Senior Ecologist
- Must have at least 10 years of experience beyond PH.D.
* Time spent in graduate school beyond the degree being used for the level of certification sought counts as half-time experience. Length of experience will be evaluated only up to the application deadline (February 1).
Code of Ethics
- Ecologists will offer professional advice and guidance only on those subjects in which they are informed and qualified through professional training or experience. They will strive to accurately represent ecological understanding and knowledge and to avoid and discourage dissemination of erroneous, biased, or exaggerated statements about ecology.
- Ecologists will not represent themselves as spokespersons for the Society without express authorization by the President of ESA.
- Ecologists will cooperate with other researchers whenever possible and appropriate to assure rapid interchange and dissemination of ecological knowledge.
- Ecologists will not plagiarize in verbal or written communication, but will give full and proper credit to the works and ideas of others, and make every effort to avoid misrepresentation.
- Ecologists will not fabricate, falsify, or suppress results, deliberately misrepresent research findings, or otherwise commit scientific fraud.
- Ecologists will conduct their research so as to avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects of their presence and activities, and in compliance with legal requirements for protection of researchers, human subjects, or research organisms and systems.
- Ecologists will not discriminate against others, in the course of their work on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, race, color, national origin, age, economic status, disability, or organizational affiliation.
- Ecologists will not practice or condone harassment in any form in any professional context.
- In communications, ecologists should clearly differentiate facts, opinions, and hypotheses.
- Ecologists will not seek employment, grants, or gain, nor attempt to injure the reputation or professional opportunities of another scientist by false, biased, or undocumented claims, by offers of gifts or favors, or by any other malicious action.
