Effective ornithological work requires a thorough understanding of bird ecology, behaviour, population dynamics, habitat requirements and the legislative frameworks that protect species and designated sites.
The Competency Standard for Ornithological Survey, Mitigation and Management provides a structured framework for professionals undertaking bird-related survey, assessment and management work. It defines the knowledge, skills and experience required to survey, identify, assess and manage bird populations and their habitats to a consistent professional standard.
The framework covers a broad range of ornithological practices, including knowledge of legislation and policy, survey design and implementation, species identification, ecological assessment, habitat management, mitigation planning and reporting. It supports practitioners at all stages of their professional development, from those developing foundational skills through to specialists leading complex projects and providing expert technical advice.
Purpose of this Framework
This competency standard has been developed to:
- Promote high standards of professional practice in ornithological survey, mitigation and management.
- Support career development and progression for ecological practitioners working with birds and their habitats.
- Provide a benchmark for competency assessment and professional recognition.
- Encourage consistency in survey design, species identification, ecological assessment, mitigation planning and reporting.
- Ensure practitioners understand their responsibilities relating to legislation, species protection, health and safety, and biosecurity.
Raising Standards
Understanding what good practice looks like and how to develop your competence in different areas of ecological survey, management and mitigation is fundamental to professional development and progressing your career.
CIEEM has been working with volunteer members to develop taxa-specific competency standards that tell the practitioner what they need to know and what they should be able to do in order to demonstrate increasing levels of competence. These competency standards are derived from the CIEEM Competency Framework and have also drawn on the Ecological Competences: Skills and Process document published by Atkins in 2019.