American Academy of Water
Resources Engineers is a Reality
The American Academy of Water Resources
Engineers (AAWRE) Board of Trustees held its
first meeting on October 9, 2004. AAWRE is
developing and implementing specialty certification
for water resources engineers. Specialty
certification is a voluntary, post-license credential
that provides recognition of advanced expertise in
a technical specialty, superior experience, strong
ethics and a commitment to life-long learning and
continuing professional development.
Certification as a Diplomate is being developed to provide the following benefits to water resources engineers:
The Board began its work at an EWRI Task Committee in September 2003. Over the past year, the EWRI Task Committee developed criteria for the Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) credential. The work of the ASCE Committee on Prerequisites for Professional Practice (CAP^3) and the ASCE Task Committee on Civil Engineering Specialty Certification was used as a foundation for the effort.
Applicants for certification as a Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer shall:
"To embrace change and enhance the professional practice of civil engineering requires that we raise the bar for the body of knowledge needed. AAWRE will set the standard for the practice of water resources engineering and help ensure that our nation's water resources are developed, protected, and managed to the greatest good of our environment and the people that we serve."
- David D. Zimbelman, Ph.D., P.E., Associate General Manager, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District of Columbia Government
"The prestigious title of the academy reflects the depth of education, the skill in design, and the breadth of experience required by those who practice water resource engineering."
- S.K. Nanda, P.E., F.ASCE, Chief, Hydraulics Branch, Rock Island District, Corps of Engineers
"Certification through AAWRE will raise the level of competence of those who practice water resource engineering."
- Albert J. Clemmens, Ph.D., P.E., Director, U.S. Water Conservation Lab, Agricultural Research Service
"The value of certification for water resources engineers is a more knowledgeable workforce with a commitment to continuing education to help protect the public health and safety for this advanced society."
- Jerry R. Rogers, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, Professor, Dept. of Civil Environmental Engineering, University of Houston
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| Members of the AAWRE Board of Trustees - L to R: Yacov Haimes, Bert Clemmens, S.K. Nanda, Ericka Moonin (TC Member), Jeff Bradley (President), Darryl Davis, Michael Ports (President-Elect), Jerry Rogers, Kay Whitlock, Darell Zimbelman (Past-President), and Walt Marlowe (Secretary). Not pictured: Bill Espey (Treasurer). |
Certification as a Diplomate is being developed to provide the following benefits to water resources engineers:
- Certification is an advanced qualification beyond licensure recognized by clients, employers, peers and the public.
- Certification provides a tangible advantage for individuals looking to standout from the pack.
- Certification demonstrates mastery of a specialty within civil engineering and commitment to stay up to date on new technological innovations.
- Certification demonstrates a strong commitment to professionalism through its ethics and continuing professional development requirements.
- Certification allows civil engineers to maintain strong input into the advanced credentialing process.
The Board began its work at an EWRI Task Committee in September 2003. Over the past year, the EWRI Task Committee developed criteria for the Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) credential. The work of the ASCE Committee on Prerequisites for Professional Practice (CAP^3) and the ASCE Task Committee on Civil Engineering Specialty Certification was used as a foundation for the effort.
Applicants for certification as a Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer shall:
- Have good moral character and high ethical standing in the profession.
- Be actively engaged in the professional practice of water resources engineering.
- Possess a valid license to practice professional engineering in the U.S. or equivalent license issued by a foreign country.
- Possess a formal education consistent with ASCE Policy Statement 465. This currently requires that the applicant possess a bachelor's degree in engineering and possess either 1) a master of science or master of engineering degree in water resources, or 2) a doctoral degree in water resources engineering, or 3) have earned a minimum of thirty graduate level semester hours related to water resources engineering from a college with engineering program(s) accredited by ABET, or their equivalent.
- Possess ten years minimum of professional experience in water resources engineering work. The experience shall include active participation in responsible planning, design, analysis, operation, management, regulation, research, or teaching. In the case of teaching, the work experience shall be at an educational institution of recognized standing, or its equivalent.
- Agree in writing to adhere to the ASCE Code of Ethics.
- Submit a complete application, together with all fees and supporting documentation as required, including written recommendations endorsing the application from three peers who possess a valid license to practice professional engineering issued in the U.S. or equivalent license issued by a foreign country.
- Pass an interview in a manner satisfactory to the Board of Trustees. The interviews shall consist of two phases:
- The interview requirement may be waived by the Admissions Committee only when the written application clearly demonstrates that the applicant meets all of the general requirements and has mastered the requisite body of knowledge at the expert level in a manner and form acceptable to the Board of Trustees.
- - An oral presentation demonstrating that the applicant
has mastered the requisite body of knowledge at the
expert level, and
- - An oral defense of the presentation in the form of
questions and answers.
"To embrace change and enhance the professional practice of civil engineering requires that we raise the bar for the body of knowledge needed. AAWRE will set the standard for the practice of water resources engineering and help ensure that our nation's water resources are developed, protected, and managed to the greatest good of our environment and the people that we serve."
- David D. Zimbelman, Ph.D., P.E., Associate General Manager, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District of Columbia Government
"The prestigious title of the academy reflects the depth of education, the skill in design, and the breadth of experience required by those who practice water resource engineering."
- S.K. Nanda, P.E., F.ASCE, Chief, Hydraulics Branch, Rock Island District, Corps of Engineers
"Certification through AAWRE will raise the level of competence of those who practice water resource engineering."
- Albert J. Clemmens, Ph.D., P.E., Director, U.S. Water Conservation Lab, Agricultural Research Service
"The value of certification for water resources engineers is a more knowledgeable workforce with a commitment to continuing education to help protect the public health and safety for this advanced society."
- Jerry R. Rogers, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, Professor, Dept. of Civil Environmental Engineering, University of Houston