Assessor Resource

AHCIRG213A
Assist with surface irrigation operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This Unit applies to working under routine supervision, within enterprise guidelines.

This Unit covers the process of assisting with the operation of surface irrigation systems under routine supervision and defines the standard required to: handle and shift loads; operate, check, clean and store surface irrigation equipment; set up field for surface irrigation; estimate and monitor water levels and volumes/flow; identify adverse environmental impacts of surface irrigation system and take appropriate action.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


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

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:

handle and shift loads

operate, check, clean and store irrigation equipment

set up field for gravity fed irrigation

estimate and monitor water levels and volumes/flow

identify adverse environmental impacts of gravity fed irrigation system and take appropriate action.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

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 include:

Ability to:

prepare materials, tools and equipment for surface irrigation work

handle materials and equipment

observe required head and water levels in head ditch

monitor irrigation times for enterprise fields to deliver sufficient volume

open and close check valves

carry out surface irrigation operating tasks as directed

follow directions to operate pumps and valves

start and pull siphons

check siphons for even water flow

observe for uneven water distribution or drainage

record and report maintenance activities

report faults

follow safe work procedures including manual handling.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

purpose and principles of surface irrigation

identification, characteristics and operation of surface irrigation structures and components

system malfunctions and their likely causes

environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source

OHS procedures relating to general activities involved in irrigating field crops using surface irrigation.

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Surface irrigation systems may include:

any systems that apply water across the surface of a levelled or contoured area. These include furrow, border and basin irrigation.

Basic maintenance tasks may include:

performing basic maintenance tasks under supervision to maintain structures such as banks, head walls and canals, and to maintain equipment such as pumps, gates and siphons.

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
Irrigation equipment is handled safely in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices 
Irrigation equipment is positioned in accordance with enterprise requirements 
Rotobuck area is checked for irrigation set up and action taken as required in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Pumps, bores and other water delivery mechanisms are checked for irrigation set up and action taken as required in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Tarpaulins or other water control devices are positioned and secured as required in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Gates and/or valves are opened and shut as necessary in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Required head and water levels in head ditch are achieved and maintained to ensure sufficient water flow and availability to crops 
Required number of siphons are started/opened in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Progress of water flow in furrows is monitored in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Siphons are lifted where irrigation is complete in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Irrigation change is carried out and marked as required 
Irrigation equipment is shifted, as required, for irrigation changes in accordance with OHS guidelines 
 
Soil moisture levels are assessed to determine watering requirement 
Soil drainage and recycling of tailwater is observed and problems reported 
Environmental hazards from surface irrigation are identified and reported where necessary 
Plant moisture requirements and signs of stress are established 
Plant growth and condition is monitored to indicate over or under watering 
Inadequate plant response to watering is recorded and reported 
Equipment is cleaned and prepared for storage, as necessary, in accordance with enterprise policy and procedures 
Equipment is loaded for transport safely, if necessary, in accordance with OHS practices 
Equipment is stored as required, in accordance with enterprise policy and procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG213A - Assist with surface irrigation operations
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

AHCIRG213A - Assist with surface irrigation operations

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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: