Freshwater Mollusks Conservation Society

FMCS Professional Development Committee

Chairs:
Becca WINTERRINGER - (Beccawint6@gmail.com)
Nathan CLICK - (nathan.click@ky.gov)

Mission:
The mission of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS) Professional Development Committee is to oversee the Mollusk Professional Certification Program (hereafter, Program). The goal of the Program is to provide a minimum standard of expertise and education for freshwater aquatic Mollusk professionals and acknowledge these achievements by bestowing certification. The Program was designed to recognize an individual's education, career, and involvement pertaining to the field of malacology. It is meant to provide a means for which mollusk professionals may be measured and awarded defined levels of certification, thereby promulgating their level of expertise. The program KS also meant to encourage participation in the mollusk community and be a source for knowledgeable and proficient mollusk scientists, regardless of one's race, religion, culture, sex, or other factors. One of the important roles of the committee is to oversee the Program process and connect the FMCS membership with Issue 8 of the National Strategy for the Conservation of Freshwater Mollusks: "Educate and train the conservation community and future generations about the importance of mollusks to ensure conservation efforts continue, Strategy 1 - Develop and recommend a list of key skills and competencies for mollusk conservation biologists and the supporting disciplines such as communication.

Mollusk Professional Certification:
This certification provides four levels of recognition with each designation targeting different levels of skill and involvement in malacology as well as career stage. The four levels are:

• Early Career Mollusk Professional
• Associate Mollusk Professional
• Certified Mollusk Professional
• Mollusk Professional Emeritus

How to Apply for Mollusk Professional Certification - CLICK HERE

Rubric and Self-Evaluation Workbook - CLICK HERE

Certified Mollusk Professionals Direction (under construction)

Disclaimer:
Certification is not intended to certify an individual's ability nor is it an endorsement for an individual's specific knowledge, skills, or competency in any facet of mollusk science. An individual having met Certification requirements indicates that the person has achieved a minimum standard of experience and education as a freshwater aquatic mollusk biologist and/or professional.

TO CONTACT THIS COMMITTEE, email at: fmcspdcomm@gmail.com