This unit applies to landscape managers, landscape designers, consulting arborists.
This unit covers assessing landscape sites and defines the standard required to: verify existing site details; compile information into a site inventory; carry out a site assessment; record assessment data and develop recommendations to rectify identified problems; document assessment data and recommendations in a site plan or assessment report; maintain assessment data records.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
verify existing site details
collect and collate information on site features
carry out a site assessment
record assessment data and develop recommendations to rectify identified problems
document assessment data and recommendations in a site plan or assessment report
maintain assessment data records.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Required skills
consult with and advise clients
interpret and produce plans
identify vegetation and soils
sampling soils and growing media
analysing laboratory results
obtain a consultant arborist report
exhibit professional work practices
assess risk
use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports
use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures
use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Required knowledge
protocols of site access
identification of a wide range of vegetation common within the region
botanical and regionally accepted common names, age, health and conditions of vegetation
soil and growing media types, structure, texture and pH
soil chemical and physical properties
basic soil field tests and soil sampling techniques
techniques to ameliorate soil properties
plant nutrition
measurement and surveying techniques
interpretation of results from assessment and testing
current land use and environmental threats and problems to site
occupational health and safety hazards associated with undertaking a site assessment
local, state and federal laws and regulations.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Site assessment may include:
all vegetation forms.
Site assessment reports may include:
reports and plans such as landscape and project designs
flora and fauna assessments
site audits
development applications
vegetation assessment and management reports
biodiversity assessments
restoration projects
expert witness statements.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Client-stakeholder is consulted and objectives are confirmed.
Site plans and maps are sourced and verified.
Required resources are identified and acquired.
Base plan is prepared of the site and relevant surrounds.
Location, ownership and site boundaries are verified.
Current land use and environmental threats and problems are identified and recorded.
Covenants that could affect the project, design or report are identified and recorded.
Climate and weather conditions are ascertained from historical data.
Site entry conditions are met and approval obtained if required.
Site hazards are identified and risk assessed for current visit.
Site orientation is undertaken.
Existing on-site and adjacent site features that may impact upon the project, plan or report objectives are identified and recorded.
Site dimensions, levels and gradients are identified, and measured and recorded, or confirmed.
Soil and growing media types, properties and relevant physical characteristics are identified and recorded on site inventory.
The species, health, age and location of vegetation are recorded
Structural elements are located and existing services and facilities confirmed.
The presence, location and/or extent of other relevant site constraints are recorded.
Areas of homogeneous soils and growing media are sampled for testing by others for analysis of soil content and contamination on request by the client or as required in the brief provided.
Consulting arborist report is obtained to assess trees on site.
Tree protection zones are determined and recorded.
Impact of proposed development on each tree is documented.
Trees exempt from approval requirements are identified.
Trees impacted by development are identified and located on the site plan according to regulations applying in the local jurisdiction.
Trees identified by the consultant arborist report as requiring pruning or removal are included in a development application.
Site information is documented into a site assessment report or site plan.
Assessment report incorporates all relevant data from the site assessment in line with client needs and the requirements of relevant legislation and regulations.
Soil and growing media tests results are interpreted and analysed for further testing requirements.
Specific recommendations of remedial action for site problems are provided and recorded.
Recommendations for appropriate risk controls of site hazards are formulated and documented.
Survey and assessment data are stored and maintained as part of professional practice.
Client-stakeholder is informed and advised of the content and implications of the report and a copy is presented.
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
AHCDES503A - Assess landscape sites
Assessment task 1: [title]
Student name:
Student ID:
I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.
Student signature:
Result: Competent Not yet competent
Feedback to student
Assessor name:
Signature:
Date:
Assessment Record Sheet
AHCDES503A - Assess landscape sites
Student name:
Student ID:
Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
(add lines for each task)
Feedback to student:
Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent