Otters are a highly protected species and an important indicator of the health and connectivity of aquatic ecosystems. Effective survey, assessment, mitigation and management require a detailed understanding of otter ecology, behaviour, habitat use and the legal frameworks that safeguard populations and their resting places.
The Competency Standard for Otter Survey, Mitigation and Management provides a structured framework for professionals undertaking otter-related work. It defines the knowledge, skills and experience required to survey, assess, mitigate impacts on, and manage otters and their habitats to a consistent professional standard.
Purpose of this Framework
This competency standard has been developed to:
- Promote high standards of professional practice in otter survey, mitigation and management.
- Support career development and progression for ecological practitioners working with protected mammals.
- Provide a benchmark for competency assessment and professional recognition.
- Encourage consistency in survey design, impact assessment, mitigation planning and habitat management.
- Ensure practitioners understand their responsibilities relating to legislation, licensing, 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.