Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Water environment worker standard?
Knowledge
K1: Health safety and wellbeing legislation and organisational responsibilities, standards and risk management, how it applies to their work and how to ensure the safety of others such as contractors, members of the public and volunteers. Safe and environmentally sound operational and maintenance practices, processes and procedures covering a wide range of operational assets, tools, plant and equipment
K2: Additional personal safe working practices, risks and control measures required during unexpected events such as confined space working, working in/near water, hazardous substances
K3: The nature of water environments, tidal variations, locks, culverts & the potential physical hazards of water currents & debris, the impact of weather, and how this affects the assets and how they operate
K4: How their team’s work links to corporate objectives; corporate values, behaviours and ways of working including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Safeguarding principles
K5: Asset management whole life cycle and how it relates to business activities, how local systems work, the location and types of assets and structures
K6: The right building materials to use (sensitive to local heritage) and the impact of wear and tear to schedule maintenance activities
K7: Importance of business relationships with partners, contractors, stakeholders and communities so that work is completed efficiently and effectively and the importance this has on the reputation of the organisation at a local and national level
K8: Planning for, selecting and operating vehicles/plant suitable for the activity, the site and the ground, watercourse and weather conditions
K9: Different ways work can be funded, and planned, to deliver maximum value for money
K10: Environmental standards, regulations and a range of practices and control measures to minimise risk from biosecurity, waste disposal, cross contamination, and spread of Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) to preserve our natural environment. Impacts of non-native invasive weeds on the watercourses and the impacts on those coming into contact with them
K11: Resources and materials available which support a sustainable approach which minimises environmental impact, for example for habitat creation, soft engineering of water courses. Soft engineering methods for control of water flow/retention, such as in-stream structures, creation of wetland or storage ponds, tree planting and agricultural practices
K12: Who we work with and why; relevant responsibilities of all parties, and the importance of wider team work so that work is completed efficiently, safely and effectively
K13: Specific risks of certain activities and their control measures. Knows timing of work for a range of activities to benefit nature. Key habitats and species likely to be encountered
K14: Working practices that reduce impact to the environment, such as natural or man-made pollution or sediment containment
K15: Ecosystems, key habitats and species likely to be encountered. Recognise habitat characteristics of relevant sites and their management for the benefit of nature. Methods of environmental assessment for different habitats and sites
K16: The broad framework of relevant legislation such as that relating to bird nesting, protected species and permissions for flood risk and land drainage works
K17: The legal requirements around rights of way and public access routes, best practice in design of public access routes. Ability to read and interpret maps and plans, and how to do scale drawings
K18: How to convey organisational messages to influence others, to promote health and safety awareness with the public and stakeholders, and to enhance the business reputation through those conversations
K19: Tools and technology available to use to communicate with a range of people such as social media, e-mail, apps which support your work
K20: Good customer service principles. Understands how to escalate questions appropriately and takes ownership of resolving the enquiry with the customer
K21: Project management principles, including finance, commercial, planning and risk management
K22: Best practice in design of public access routes, such as: path width, surface usability, awareness of overhead and underground services, and ease of maintenance of final asset
K23: Organisation's requirements regarding performance management, including understanding their role and how to write their objectives
K24: How their role fits in within the organisation, how to identify personal areas for development, and how to take action to meet those needs
K25: How to deliver feedback to others to support their development
K26: Understand the Health, Safety and Wellbeing risks in an unfamiliar and emergency working environment. For example different types of river catchment behaviours, the river or tidal factors which cause increased flow and flooding, how manage risks to individuals who are operating assets, and dealing with flooding
K27: Understand personal safe working practices which ensure safety and wellbeing of employees and partners whilst undertaking emergency duties in an unfamiliar location, such as: fatigue management, accommodation issues, dealing with stressful situations
K28: Understand how Water Environment Workers work with other Category 1 responders and our various responsibilities under the CCA (Civil Contingencies Act)
K29: Understand how the asset management programme fits in with national and the organisation’s responsibilities to protect communities from flood risk
K30: Understand how the maintenance schedule is developed, for example be able to explain why some assets are maintained and not others
K31: Understand the range of assets in use and how they contribute to protecting communities, for example from small flap valves to large barriers, sea and river defences and pumping stations
K32: Attraction and recruitment of volunteers, training: including legislative considerations, fair recruitment processes, equality and diversity and inclusion training, how to induct a volunteer effectively
K33: Knowledge of induction and training techniques, following the organisation’s volunteer training plan, to include: Welcome & Induction, Safety Management, Ongoing Training & Support, Safety Management
K34: Has a good understanding of operational outcomes needed, and understands the relative outputs of volunteer groups to aid in resource and time planning
K35: Understand the information volunteers require in order to complete the tasks identified. Know how to brief and supervise volunteers effectively using the correct working methods
K36: Knowledge of how to engage with medium/large groups. Understands group motivations and dynamics to effectively manage the group
K37: Understand the principles & legislation behind management of valued heritage / historic structures, e.g. listings, conservation sites, historic context. Know who to contact for advice
K38: With reference to specialist skills, understand who we work with and why, and relevant responsibilities of all parties
K39: Know how to communicate with members of the public and other stakeholders, and in particular can explain conservation principles and details of the work and why it is being carried out. Through this also manages any difficult conversations and enhances the business reputation through those conversations (uses plain language, listens to customer needs)
K40: Maintenance practices, processes and procedures covering a wide range of heritage operational assets. This can include lock gates, bridges, lifts, tunnels, navigations, aquaducts, heritage buildings, dry docks. This includes safe working practices in construction, construction technology, project methodology, working on conservation and restoration projects and preparation and mixing of lime mortars
K41: Know how to select the right plant, tools and materials to carry out their work appropriate for the heritage asset, e.g. stone masonry tools & chisels, lime mortar, traditional building materials etc. Seeks additional advice if unsure of the correct method
K42: Understand relevant and current best practice in watercourse management and maintenance practices in relation to the use of heritage materials, such as lime mortar for building works, and including soft engineering for natural flood management
K43: Understand capabilities and requirements of the asset and the catchment (including land use and designation)
K44: Understand impacts of (defined) seasonal water level and vegetation management
K45: Knowledge of Land Drainage Act 1991 and other relevant legislation and regulation and IDB (Internal Drainage Boards) byelaws
K46: Understand relevant and current best practice and which sources of information should be used to identify issues
K47: Know how to access relevant information to inform operational decisions, e.g. On-line telemetry, Water levels, flow and rainfall gauges, national and local weather forecasts
K48: Understand how livestock and wildlife respond to human presence in different circumstances and settings, and the impact of own behaviour according to type of livestock/ wildlife in a variety of settings
K49: Understand the risks, and control measures to mitigate risk associated with lone working. Systems/ procedures to communicate accurate and regular information to lone working resources
K50: Competent to operate 4x4 vehicle and knows limits of vehicle and self. Identifies when ground conditions necessitate use of 4x4 vehicle, and how to arrange recovery of vehicle if required
Skills
S1: Work safely and effectively, identify hazards, assess risk and comply with internal and external control measures. Dynamically assess risk and challenge unsafe activities when carrying out their duties, for their protection and that of others (e.g. contractors, members of the public), and take the necessary actions to minimise potential risks
S2: Take proactive steps to manage their personal wellbeing, especially when working in high risk environments such lone working, confined spaces, in or near water. Implement lone working device in accordance with own organisation’s procedure.
S3: Communicate HSW controls and safe working systems that are to be followed by you and others when working outdoors, e.g. pre-briefing before work commences
S4: Select and use a range of maintenance tools, plant, equipment and resources so that asset maintenance plans can be delivered in safe manner whilst also protecting the environment, e.g. start-up checks, correct use of plant, etc. taking into account the working conditions and water environment status
S5: Report relevant asset information which contributes to ensuring assets are well maintained in a timely manner
S6: Apply soft engineering principles and practices to reduce erosion and manage stabilisation and safety of shorelines and the area surrounding watercourses, while enhancing habitat, improving aesthetics and saving money
S7: Design, plan and build boundaries and apply sound principles and best environmental practices to preserve the natural environment within the context of the legal framework
S8: Communicate clearly and effectively with the public, land owners, contractors and colleagues to deliver business outcomes, e.g. explaining their work to a landowner, provide feedback to contractors and colleagues to improve ways of working and responding to queries from members of the public. Vary their communication style to fit differing situations e.g. handling a complaint, describing their work
S9: Use technology solutions available to communicate with others internally, e.g. email, social media etc.
S10: Comply with environmental practices and procedures e.g. prevent cross contamination of invasive species, follow sustainability and waste management practices, plan work to adhere to legislation
S11: Operate in a way which reduces pollution of our waterways and land nearby
S12: Manage habitats using a range of specialist techniques such as coppicing, hedge laying, river/ stream bank stabilisation and establishing native plants, using appropriate tools and equipment. This could also include new and developing sustainable practices such as using natural materials to manage excessive rainfall (in constructing leaky dams and bale dams) and subsequently manage erosion and flood damage
S13: Manage vegetation in a range of different situations, for example strimming pathways, using pesticides, managing trees and hedgerows, eradicating invasive species in order to conserve native flora and fauna
S14: Enhance the organisation’s reputation by the way in which they work with contractors and other partners to deliver their work. Promote the work of the organisation in a positive light, referring to others when necessary
S15: Plan and deliver projects using best practice project management techniques, including management of risks and resources, time management and value for money and the natural environment, e.g. work on a river bank could also create a habitat for wildlife
S16: Demonstrate appropriate tool and material selection to carry out their duties safely, taking into account the ground/ working conditions
S17: Adapt working practices to take account of new, improved ways of working, especially with regard to safe working practices, such as new materials available, lessons learned from health and safety incident reviews, and new environmental practices
S18: Work with their line manager to develop their performance objectives and supporting activities. Demonstrate evidence towards achieving their objectives, using their organisation's systems and processes
S19: Actively seek opportunities to develop themselves, seeking feedback from peers, attending training and putting into practice, with evidence-gathering, etc.
S20: Handle media requests for information in accordance with policy and procedures
S21: Work collaboratively, ensuring everyone involved follows safe working practices at all times, such as using safe winching techniques to remove obstructions, and driving four wheel drive vehicles safely off the public highway on agricultural land
S22: Work effectively, safely and sustainably on the local priorities defined by the asset maintenance schedule
S23: Work with other teams to help develop condition assessments and a work programme allied to maintenance standards
S24: Review the impact of the ‘recovery phase’ of incident response and identify when an asset reaches the correct status
S25: Identify work which could improve habitats at the same time as improving assets
S26: Plan for volunteer involvement on-site
S27: Effectively contribute to a successful volunteer recruitment campaign
S28: Manage day to day requirements for volunteers involved on site
S29: Contribute to the delivery of sustainable volunteering offer, based on volunteer’s skills and interest areas
S30: Able to effectively communicate with volunteers
S31: Able to assess the task and identify the required Volunteering resource to deliver the task effectively
S32: Plan work activities for a wide range of volunteer groups and different tasks
S33: Carry out risk assessments for a wide range of tasks carried out by volunteers, including working close to water
S34: Sensitive to the needs of the group including recognising the volunteers as customers. Takes personal responsibility to ensure that they have a great experience
S35: Able to plan tasks as volunteering "events" for corporate groups by applying knowledge of resource requirements for each task
S36: Assess heritage value. Plan & execute work appropriately to context. Take advice from appropriate colleagues & stakeholders
S37: Follow technical advice and guidance in Environmental/ Heritage Assessments
S38: Improve the organisation's reputation, with particular reference to their conservation standards and credentials, by the way in which they work with contractors and other partners to deliver their work
S39: Promote the conservation work of the organisation in a positive light, referring to others when necessary
S40: Apply best practice to the safe use of a range of maintenance tools, plant and equipment specific to heritage conservation and appropriate for heritage materials (including Stone Masonry Tools & Chisels)
S41: Select and carry out minor repair work using the correct equipment and materials appropriate to heritage conservation (for example materials used to protect completed work)
S42: Demonstrate decision making that includes heritage value
S43: Identify and implement safe systems of work to deploy interventions in a timely manner
S44: Collate or report accurate data which ensures assets are well maintained in a timely manner
S45: Explain the purpose of managing water levels and watercourses in the context of organisational objectives, powers and responsibilities
S46: Operate individually or as part of a team to manage welfare of self and others in all weather conditions and times of day
S47: Take readings and interpret information from relevant technology such as gauge board, on-line telemetry, internet weather forecasts
S48: Take optical level survey to establish fixed datum for installation of water level monitoring equipment e.g. gauge board or telemetry site
S49: Record and present information to inform operational decisions e.g. water level diary or spreadsheet
S50: Appreciate risk of different types of livestock in rural settings and adapt working practices to accommodate those risks
Behaviours
B1: Acts as an ambassador of the organisation’s values and behaviours
B2: Seeks out opportunities to create effective change and continuous improvement, such as suggesting ideas for improvements or changes to systems or processes that affect the way you do your job. Reviews ways of working including seeking and providing feedback
B3: Takes personal responsibility for forming effective relationships both internally and externally, with people from a range of diverse backgrounds, to enable delivery of business outcomes. Works with others and contributes to the work of immediate and wider teams. Identifies and addresses the needs of customers, delivers what has been promised and ensures that all outcomes are delivered in a polite, professional manner. Respects the needs, responses and opinions of others
B4: Has sound judgement. Uses evidence and knowledge to support accurate expert decisions and advice. Carefully considers alternative options, implications and risks of decisions
B5: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Takes responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive
B6: Focuses on continuous improvement for self, others and the organisation
B7: Perceives and mitigates risks to themselves and others at all times
B8: Challenges and accepts challenge with regards to safe working practices
B9: Communicates effectively in a range of situations, and with a variety of methods
B10: Continually seeks to develop their professional skills and embed new ways of working for themselves and others
Core occupation duties
DUTY: Maintain, repair and carry out minor works on a variety of water environment assets, such as pumping stations, locks, river/ canal banks and coastal flood and erosion defences, using appropriate mobile plant and machinery and minor works to maintain water level, flow and navigation. Identify the location and types of assets and structures within their normal operational area, and explain how local systems/ catchments work
K1
K2
K5
K6
S1
S3
S4
S5
B3
DUTY: Respond to events that impact upon the environment, homes, businesses, assets or natural habitats (major and minor), e.g. responding to flood events or environmental incidents, including removal of obstructions. Maintain and operate the assets to respond to local flooding or environmental incidents
K3
K5
K7
K10
K18
S2
S4
S8
S10
B1
DUTY: Work alongside other parties and where necessary co-ordinate their activity, e.g. contractors, partners, volunteers and members of the public. For example, when working together on water environment habitat projects or dealing with incidents
K1
K4
K7
K12
K18
K19
K20
S8
S9
S14
B3
DUTY: Create, maintain and improve habitats to ensure a natural healthy environment
K10
K11
K13
K14
K15
K16
S6
S10
S11
S12
S13
B2
DUTY: Deliver project work as specified by their organisation, within remit, on budget and to timescales. For example, creating spawning grounds in rivers and eel passes, and creating access for recreational public use to enjoy the water environment, such as fishing platforms and canoe trails
K9
K10
K11
K21
S15
S16
S17
B5
DUTY: Plan, prepare and operate in confined spaces e.g. working in culverts and under bridges
K1
K3
K18
S1
S2
S3
B10
DUTY: Agree and develop their personal performance, objectives and development
K23
K24
K25
S18
S19
B6
DUTY: Manage water levels and flow effectively to achieve the required conditions, dependent on land use and environmental sensitivities, by mechanically controlling vegetation or materials from the bank, e.g. weed removal, tree trimming, beach management and shingle replenishment
K1
K3
K4
K11
S12
S13
B4
B7
DUTY: Plan, prepare and construct boundaries and public access routes, including disabled access to encourage safe use of water-related environments, e.g. steps and ramps, footpaths, towpaths and fencing
K1
K7
K17
K22
S7
S10
B4
DUTY: Construct and maintain drainage systems
K1
K3
K5
K10
K14
S10
S11
B3
B8
DUTY: Prepare and operate vehicles or waterborne plant, e.g. 4WD vehicles, trailers, winches, weed boats, other powered and non-powered craft and pontoons. Has an understanding of both vehicles and vessels deployed
K1
K8
K10
K14
S4
S10
B10
Managing Assets & Responding to Major Incidents in the Water Environment duties
DUTY: Respond effectively to major incidents outside of the normal operational area, as part of a national response
K1
K2
K5
K6
S1
S3
S4
S5
B3
DUTY: Work on asset management, improvement and maintenance programmes with a variety of teams across the organisation, such as planning, strategy, environmental impact experts and biodiversity teams
K3
K5
K7
K10
K18
S2
S4
S8
S10
B1
Working with Volunteers in the Water Environment duties
DUTY: Be involved in the volunteer cycle, from attraction and recruitment, to induction and beyond, this includes induction, on-site supervision and training
K1
K2
K5
K6
S1
S3
S4
S5
B3
DUTY: Work effectively alongside volunteers for shared operational outcomes, for example running and motivating a small team of volunteers carrying out practical waterways work or activities
K3
K5
K7
K10
K18
S2
S4
S8
S10
B1
DUTY: Lead on corporate volunteering events and flexible volunteering events (drop-in volunteering, family volunteering, one-off or regular)
K1
K4
K7
K12
K18
K19
K20
S8
S9
S14
B3
Maintaining & Working with Heritage Assets in the Water Environment duties
DUTY: Carry out repairs with due regard for appropriate legislation, guidance & best practice for management of heritage structures. Recognise historical setting & context
K1
K2
K5
K6
S1
S3
S4
S5
B3
DUTY: Use heritage materials appropriately for the repair and upkeep of heritage assets
K3
K5
K7
K10
K18
S2
S4
S8
S10
B1
Water Level Management, Flood Risk and Drainage in the Water Environment duties
DUTY: Manage water levels effectively to achieve the required conditions, dependent on land use and environmental sensitivities
K1
K2
K5
K6
S1
S3
S4
S5
B3
DUTY: Use Hydro-informatics (Gauge Board readings and online telemetry records, etc.) to monitor catchment conditions and water levels and determine when action is required to achieve acceptable conditions
K3
K5
K7
K10
K18
S2
S4
S8
S10
B1
DUTY: Work effectively in rural settings without placing themself at risk from wildlife, livestock and other rural activities
