The Board of Professional Certification invites ecologists who seek to incorporate ecological principles in decision-making, who meet a minimum set of standards in education and experience, and who adhere to high ethical standards as outlined in the ESA Code of Ethics to apply for the 2011 certification period. Current certified ecologists serve in a wide variety of fields, and use their credentials to establish credibility with employers, peers, courts, media, and the public. (The case for certification is further outlined in this 2007 Frontiers editorial: http://www.esa.org/careers_certification/documents/professional_certification.pdf)
Certification lasts five years and is offered at three levels: Associate Ecologist, Ecologist, and Senior Ecologist. For ESA members who have 10 years of professional experience beyond their PhD we also offer a streamlined application process. There is an application fee of $75 for members applying at the Associate Ecologist level, and $125 for Ecologists and Senior Ecologists. This fee is non-refundable and covers all five years of certification. The primary submission deadline is February 1, 2011; a $25 late fee will apply to any applications received between February 2 and March 31, 2011. All applications must be submitted electronically; no hard copy applications will be accepted. For applications and more information on the program, including our helpful FAQ section, please visit http://www.esa.org/careers_certification/certification.php. To ensure that your membership is current through 2011, you may visit eServices at http://eservices.esa.org or download a PDF form from www.esa.org/member_services/join_renew.php. If you encounter any problems or confusion, or require your login information, please contact Lilly Schwartz at 202-833-8773 ext. 216 or members...@esa.org. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
