Competency's Flashcards
A1: How do you keep abreast of wider environmental issues and trends beyond your area of expertise?
- Sign up to policy change newsletters
- Read The Environment magazine and listen to the planet possible podcast
- Attend webinars
- Read the news
A1: What are some current environmental issues and trends beyond your area of expertise?
- BNG requirements
- Combined sewer overflows (Thames Tideway Tunnel - 300 sanitary items in a square meter of foreshore)
- Renewable energy - earlier this month it was reported that biomethane (gas from agricultural manure, silage and food waste) was successfully introduced to the gas supply network in Northern Ireland
- UK no longer a world leader on climate - backing new oil and coal, airport expansion plans, slow progress on heat pumps
- The ocean heat record was broken in August. Oceans are a vital climate change regulator - warmer waters have less ability to absorb CO2, disturb marine species and upsetting the food chain as they move in search of cooler waters, coral bleaching
- African leaders have proposed a global carbon tax regime in the joint Nairobi Declaration - meaning major polluters would need to commit more resources to help poorer nations. Around two dozen countries currently impose taxes on carbon, but not global carbon tax regime.
A2: How do you develop strategies or plans to address changes in your sector?
Three levels:
- Individual - I undertake my own reading, watch webinars, attend conferences and make short summary notes to solidify my understanding.
- Team - I attend weekly team meetings where we discuss recent changes in legislation and wider environmental issues. I also attend monthly team meetings where we discuss developments in policy and guidance in more detail - for example at the most recent monthly meeting I provided a short presentation on what I learnt when I attended the FloodEx conference
- Resource group (wider company) - As Planning & Development Lead for the HH office, I attend monthly meetings with the other office leads. Here we discuss upcoming legislation changes (Schedule 3, Water Neutrality) and how it may impact the business, where the changes might present new workstream opportunities and strategy on how to capitalise on the new workstreams.
B1: Give an example of when you have analysed and evaluated environmental and/or water problems?
Former Atlas Works, Pershore - currently project manager and flood risk lead for an FRA for a residential scheme at a brownfield site. As part of this, I needed to assess fluvial flood risk from the neighbouring Bow Brook, EA Main River.
- Gathered EA model outputs, undertook review, not sufficient
- Gathered EA model, undertook review, proposed changes in combination with modelling lead
- Required more information to inform model update: better topo, veg clearance, photos of the channel
B2: Give an example of when you solved a problem by identifying, developing and evaluating options.
Former Atlas Works Site: approach to developing climate change flood levels (design flood level):
- Undertook review of the existing EA model and their climate change guidance for that catchment and found that the existing model did not contain sufficient information to inform a design flood level, so I produced three options for the client on how to progress the FRA:
1) Apply a nominal uplift to the existing 1% AEP flood level as outlined in the EAs guidance
2) Completely remodel this section of the Bow Brook - existing model was twenty years old and so there had likely been some changes between then and now
3) Update the existing EA’s model to include new hydrology and climate change allowances, and onsite topo survey, with the assumption that the channel remained the same that was surveyed back in 2003
I made a recommendation on which option would be considered best practice and least likely to receive an objection, but due to cost implications the client made the final decision.
B3: Give an example of a project where you initiated, implemented and managed change.
Former Atlas Works: as we were originally instructed on only an FRA, the programme was relatively straightforward. However we were subsequently instructed on fluvial modelling work to inform the FRA, which had an impact on the FRA programme.
I provided a revised project programme to the client via email to communicate the knock-on impacts to the programme and created a register of tasks to understand where the project team could continue to make progress without the results of the modelling study.
Also try to pre-empt change, I incorporate some lag time within project programmes - particularly larger projects, or projects where I anticipate we’ll need further information. I included this type of allowance in the project programme for the South Downs National Park tender that I produced and subsequently won.
B4: Give an example of when you have planned and implemented solutions and monitored their continuing performance.
As a project manager I have to monitor the performance of all my projects, and implement strategies or solutions if they are not performing as liked.
- JBA project management software
- My own spreadsheets which set out resources used against the agreed-upon budget
- Se up weekly calendar reminders to take stock of project progress
C1: How do you manage resources effectively and efficiently?
From as early as the quotation stage, I liaise with team leaders to understand short and long term capacity.
I create detailed Project Activity Schedules for each project, which include budgeted hours. I communicate this with the project team so they are aware of their allotted time.
I mentor more junior members of staff and try to remind them of the importance of good time management.
I’ve also developed a Flood Risk Assessment template which is now used widely across the business. I developed the template to drive:
- a consistent approach to FRAs,
- to provide prompts to more junior members of staff on technical matters
- to improve efficiency’s
C2: How to you promote and apply H&S in your work?
- Since I submitted my application I have been made the HH PPE rep. This includes ordering PPE for staff and ensuring all PPE is fit for purpose, making sure lifejackets have received services - all with the aim of making sure people will be properly protected when visiting site
- I have a responsibility for myself and my team to complete Risk Assessments before attending site
I also have responsibilities for health and safety in my everyday work:
- Under the CDM Regulations, I am considered a designer when completing FRAs and DS. I have a responsibility to eliminate risk within my design, reduce and control residual risk and communicate with other members of the project team.
- And, although often overlooked, within the office, I have a responsibility to myself to complete DSE assessments.
C3: How do you contribute to sustainability?
Personally:
- Recycling
- Being conservative with water and energy usage
At work:
- I operate in line with JBA’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Policy and follow the travel hierarchy when travelling for work.
- The design work I do aims to support the creation of sustainable developments: safe for it’s lifetime from flooding and dealing with surface water runoff in a sustainable way.
C4: How do you promote and apply quality enhancement and quality assurance?
- JBA management system has been set up in accordance with ISO 9001 quality standards and so this incorporates various levels of QA from the quotation stage through to project completion.
- I make clear audit trails and include correspondence with clients to evidence conversations, in particular those that have lead to decision making or changes in programme, scope, etc.
- Created the FRA template with the aim of embedding QA procedures and technical prompts
- I undertake report reviews for other members of staff and make sure that all deliverables for projects I manage have a three stage review process.
- Ensure all deliverables are reviewed by staff that have sufficient knowledge in the technical area
D1: How do you communicate in English?
- Regularly take meetings, have informal phone calls and then follow up with emails to make sure the outcomes of the discussion are clear and that there’s an audit trail
- Have provided presentations to clients and their team, most recently I presented the outcomes of the Maldon Lvl1 SFRA to Members at the Councils request and received good feedback
- I’ve also attended public consultation events where it’s important to tailor language to suit the audiences
D2: What codes of conduct apply to your work and how do you promote them?
- I recognise the importance of being professionally and ethically aware, working in accordance with CIWEMs Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
- Aware of my own technical limitations and ask for assistance when necessary
- I avoid potential conflicts of interest and always make my clients aware if needed
- Always remain transparent with clients as I find this makes it easier to deliver more difficult messages and making them aware of potential risks.
E1: How do you ensure continued professional development?
- I have a Professional Development Portfolio and update it annually to it remains current
- I attend training courses to improve my technical knowledge and management skills
- I also provide training to more junior members of staff on development and planning work: FRAs, drainage strategies, ES, water neutrality assessments
E2: How can you demonstrate your commitment to CIWEM?
- My professional experience and personal interests align with CIWEMs themes of environmental management and protection for the benefit of the public
- I believe the strengths of CIWEM that set it apart from other similar organisations form the wide-ranging interests and skill sets of its members.
- I have been a member since 2019 and am dedicated to continuing my professional development, evidence by my attendance and numerous training events and webinars
- As a chartered member I aspire to help others in achieving their own goals, and encourage others to maintain high standards.
