PLSO The Oregon Surveyor March April 2021

Featured Article respond to the specific requirements of a full range of hydrographic projects, and who can work with competence across the full spectrum of the hydrographic profession. Requirements for Level 1: • Completion of an IBSC-recognized Category A training, or an eligible degree supplemented with post-baccalaureate education and training that meets Category A learning standards. • Successfully pass the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) examination. • 48 months of experience conducting hydrographic surveys. • 24 months in responsible technical charge. • 24 months in the field. (The three experience requirements may be concurrent.) • Submit a logbook documenting practical experience. • Submit a report from a hydro- graphic survey project of at least four weeks duration. • A minimum of four references, pref- erably from applicants’ supervisors. • Successfully pass the NSPS-THSOA Certified Master Hydrographer examination. Certified Hydrographer (CH) or Level 2 The Certified Hydrographer (CH) or Level 2 is intended for hydrographic survey- ors who are not seeking state licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor. This level of professional certification meets international and national standards of competence. Level 2 hydrographers are fully capable of undertaking and manag- ing hydrographic surveys that meet IHO current standards of S-44 and the more detailed U.S. standards and specifications. Level 2 applicants are not required to have a baccalaureate degree, but Level 2 hydrographer education must meet the current IHO S-5B Learning Standards. Current NSPS-THSOA Certified Hydrog - raphers will be automatically rolled into Level 2 Certified Hydrographers. Require - ments for Level 2: • 60 months of experience conducting hydrographic surveys; OR • Completion of an IBSC-recognized Category A training and 24 months of full-time experience conducting hydrographic surveys; OR • Completion of an IBSC-recognized Category B training and 36 months of full-time experience conducting hydrographic surveys. • 24 months in responsible technical charge. • 24 months in the field. (The three experience requirements may be concurrent.) • Submit a logbook documenting practical experience. • Submit a report from a hydro- graphic survey project of at least four weeks duration. • A minimum of four references, pref- erably from applicants’ supervisors. • Successfully pass the NSPS- THSOA Certified Hydrographer examination. In addition, both levels will require a log- book of practical hydrographic experience, a full report of a hydrographic survey project of at least a four-week duration, and 30 Professional Development Hours (PDH) every two years. Ultimately, the PDH requirements provide a measure of confidence that the hydrographer prac - tices with the health, safety, and welfare of the public in mind. Individuals Who Should Seek Certification Individuals who should seek certification include licensed professional engineers and professional surveyors involved in the conduct of hydrographic surveys for 13 Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon | www.plso.org marine construction, coastal engineering, coastal property delineation, infrastruc- ture inspection, dredging operations, or other operations requiring hydrographic services to be conducted under the di- rection of a state-licensed professional; and hydrographic and marine geophys- ical surveyors involved with inshore or offshore surveys in support of nautical charting, habitat mapping, remedial in- vestigations, search and locate surveys, surveys to provide aid to coastal areas impacted by natural disasters, or other hy- drographic surveys where a state-specific professional license may not be required. It is important to reiterate that the cer- tification is not intended to usurp state licensing boards—many of which require professional licensure as an engineer or surveyor to conduct hydrographic sur- veys—but rather provide a validation of competency to international standards for the conduct of hydrographic services in addition to any state requirements. By carefully limiting the professional work undertakenwithin the limitsof qualifications and competence, certified hydrographers protect the interests of the community, cli- ents, employers, and themselves. x For more information on the NSPS-THSOA Hy- drographer Certification, visit https://www.nsps. us.com/page/Certification . Portions of this article first appeared in xyHt magazine, February 2021, www.xyht.com . Jon Dasler is Chair of the NSPS-THSOA Hydrog- rapher Certification Board and Senior Vice Pres - ident and Director of Marine Services at David Evans and Associates, Inc. He is a professional engineer, professional surveyor, and an NSPS- THSOA certified hydrographer with more than 35 years of experience in hydrographic surveying and 45 years of experience in land and geodetic control surveying. Maxim van Norden retired from the Naval Oceanographic Office with 36 years of experi - ence in military hydrography, then retired after 10 years as the Director of Hydrographic Pro- grams with the University of Southern Mississip - pi. He is an NSPS-THSOA certified hydrographer and member of the NSPS-THSOA Hydrographer Certification Board and is currently the owner of HydroHERO LLC, a hydrographic education consulting company. continued from page 11 T