Survey Activities: Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of people and organisations will vary depending upon who is actually involved in a field survey. However, some useful guidelines can be provided for a range of interested parties.

(a) Field Worker/Researcher
This is the person who will undertake the survey and will be involved in survey design, data collection, recording of data and the writing up of a report, or presenting the findings in a way that can be communicated effectively.

(b) Client / Developer / Operator
This is the person or organisation who is requesting the survey. The client will set a brief for the field worker/researcher and this will provide the basis for the survey's aims and objectives. Payment will also be made by the client to the field worker/researcher, and these will be made in accordance with the agreed payment schedule.

There can be many reasons why a client may wish to have a survey undertaken. (See ‘Field Survey: Purpose and Planning').

(c) Project Manager
Depending upon the size of the field survey and the part it plays within the needs of the client a project manager could be appointed to oversee the survey.

This person would be responsible for ensuring adequate resources are available and that the planned timescale is adhered to. The project manager will also be responsible for linking and negotiating with local authorities, funding bodies, statutory consultees and other stakeholders to ensure the entire project runs smoothly and provides a positive outcome for the client.

(d) Specialist/Consultant
Whilst a field worker/researcher should be able to undertake all of a survey in most situations, there will be occasions when a specialist consultant is needed. This can arise when difficult to identify species are needed to be specifically included (and identified individually) within a survey. Where protected species are presented, their advice and guidance on suitable methods to adopt within the survey design will be required so as not to disturb or harm any of the protected species.

(e) Statutory Consultees
Some statutory consultees for a field survey may include:
• Natural England.
• Natural Resources Wales.
• NatureScot.
• Environment Agency.
• Local Authority/Council.
• Health and Safety Executive.
• Council for Nature Conservation and Countryside (Northern Ireland)
• Sport England, Sport Northern Ireland, Sport Scotland, Sport Wales (that affect playing fields in those nations).

These organisations may need to be contacted as part of a habitat survey, primarily where the survey forms part of a proposal or application which plans to undertake work activities on an area, e.g. building, construction. Where a field habitat survey requires the involvement of a statutory consultee then this work would most likely be contracted out to a specialist.