The Program Coordinator reports to the Taxonomic Certification Committee (TCC). Under the direction of the TCC, the Coordinator performs the following tasks:
- Acquire a bank of questions from taxonomic experts and develop a web-based test procedure for the self-examination test.
- Develop a library of digital images of all appropriate aquatic invertebrate families to serve as test material for the Level 1 Taxonomic Certification Examination (TCE).
- Compile from taxonomic experts and maintain sufficient specimens to conduct at least eight or nine Level 2 TCE events per year (x 30 candidates).
- For each Level 2 TCE candidate, select 20 specimens of the relevant taxonomic group, number them, and ship them to the Level 2 TCE site at least two weeks before each examination date.
- Establish a list of Level 1 and Level 2 TCE locations and examination supervisors before testing.
- Coordinate with Level 1 and Level TCE supervisors to ensure the availability and suitability of resources required for testing.
- Receive and maintain lists of candidates with records of payments, contact information, and addresses for distribution of examination results.
- Ensure that results are received from the Level 2 TCE supervisors and recorded in a TCE database.
- Ensure that electronic (Levels 1 and 2) and hard copies (Level 2) of TCE results for all candidates are archived for five years for confirmation and reference against challenged examinations.
- Work with TCC to establish and enact protocols regarding appeals.
- Notify each Level 2 TCE candidate of their examination results, electronically and in writing, within 10 business days of the examination date.
- Identify taxonomic experts.
- Establish a calendar of test times.
- Establish a computerized database that will include:
- TCE registration information and fees received from candidates.
- Certification records (when, what, where, and from whom certified; certification expiration dates; certification numbers; re-certification information).
- Taxonomic experts (credentials; taxonomic groups; regions; good quality specimen collection/database for supplying and informing the test process).
- Testing dates; locations; registration details; examination site and supervisor costs; links to test sites.
- Maintain accurate and audited accounts of fees received and costs paid.