Information We Collect
We collect information directly from you when you engage with our freshwater ecology career development services. This includes details you provide during program inquiries, registration processes, and ongoing communications.
Personal Information Categories:
- Name, email address, and phone number for program communication
- Educational background and professional experience in ecology or related fields
- Career goals and interests specific to freshwater ecology specializations
- Geographic location to match you with relevant regional opportunities
- Communication preferences and program participation history
We also automatically collect technical information when you visit our website, including IP addresses, browser types, and pages visited. This helps us improve your experience and understand how people interact with our content.
How We Use Your Information
Your information serves specific purposes related to advancing your career in freshwater ecology. We use personal details to customize program recommendations, connect you with relevant opportunities, and provide ongoing support throughout your professional development journey.
Communication data helps us send program updates, share industry insights, and notify you about new learning opportunities. We analyze participation patterns to improve our services and develop better career development resources for the freshwater ecology community.
Technical information from website interactions helps us understand which resources are most valuable to aspiring freshwater ecologists and identify areas where we can enhance the user experience.
Information Sharing and Third Parties
We work with trusted partners in the freshwater ecology field to provide comprehensive career development services. This includes educational institutions, research organizations, and employers seeking qualified freshwater ecology professionals.
Information sharing occurs only with your explicit consent and for specific career advancement purposes. For example, we might share your professional background with potential employers or academic programs that match your interests, but only after you've agreed to these connections.
We use selected service providers for technical operations, including email communication platforms, data storage services, and website analytics tools. These partners are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only for providing services to Settle Ecologist.
Your Privacy Rights
You maintain significant control over your personal information and how we use it in our freshwater ecology career development services. These rights help ensure your privacy preferences are respected throughout our relationship.
Access Your Data
Request a complete copy of all personal information we maintain about you, including how it's been used in your career development.
Update Information
Correct or update any personal details, career goals, or preferences to ensure our services remain relevant to your needs.
Delete Your Data
Request removal of your personal information from our systems, subject to legal retention requirements.
Control Communications
Modify your communication preferences or opt out of specific types of program updates and industry notifications.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information provided at the end of this policy. We'll respond to your request within 30 days and work with you to address your privacy concerns effectively.
Data Security and Protection
We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. Our approach combines technical safeguards, administrative procedures, and physical security controls.
Technical protections include encrypted data transmission, secure server storage, and regular security monitoring. We use industry-standard encryption protocols for all data transfers and maintain secure backup systems to prevent information loss.
Access to your personal information is restricted to authorized personnel who need it to provide career development services. Our team receives regular privacy training and follows strict protocols for handling sensitive information.
Data Retention Periods
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide freshwater ecology career development services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Retention periods vary based on the type of information and your relationship with our programs.
Active program participant information is maintained throughout your engagement with our services and for two years afterward to support ongoing career development needs. Communication preferences and contact details are retained until you request removal or opt out of our services.
Technical data from website visits is typically retained for one year for analytical purposes. Financial or transaction records, if any, are maintained according to applicable legal requirements, generally seven years.
When retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymize your personal information. You can request earlier deletion of your data, and we'll honor these requests except where legal obligations require longer retention.
International Data Transfers
Settle Ecologist operates primarily within the United States, and your personal information is generally processed and stored on servers located in the US. However, some of our service providers may process data in other countries to support our freshwater ecology career development programs.
When international transfers occur, we ensure appropriate safeguards protect your information according to US privacy standards. This includes contractual protections with service providers and verification that recipient countries maintain adequate data protection laws.
If you're located outside the United States and choose to provide information to us, please understand that your data will be transferred to and processed in the US, where our career development services are primarily operated.
Policy Updates and Changes
We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. When significant modifications occur, we'll notify you through email or prominent notices on our website before the changes take effect.
Minor updates, such as clarifications or administrative changes, may be implemented without advance notice. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.
Continued use of our freshwater ecology career development services after policy updates indicates your acceptance of the revised terms. If you disagree with changes, you can discontinue services and request deletion of your personal information.
Privacy Questions and Contact
We're committed to addressing your privacy concerns and questions about how we handle personal information in our freshwater ecology career development services. Our team is available to help you understand your rights and exercise control over your data.
For privacy-related inquiries, data access requests, or concerns about how your information is being used, please contact us using the methods below. We typically respond to privacy requests within 30 days and work diligently to resolve any issues.