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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently plan and supervise the implementation of seed collection activities within applicable environmental, legislative and organisational guidelines

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, and satisfy, all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

following applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to managing seed collection

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to managing seed collection

developing measurable performance indicators, specifications and targets and a seed collection plan within specified budgetary guidelines

coordinating and scheduling resources, and managing the work of others to achieve specific outcomes

monitoring seed collection operations, ensuring that relevant quality standards are followed

documenting results from seed collection activities and preparing a report for dissemination to relevant personnel

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

Technical skills sufficient to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment; collate and assess information against specified criteria; supervise operational staff and contractors to achieve specific outcomes; recognise common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies; efficiently and safely manage the extraction of collected material

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others, including landholders, and internal and external bodies and groups

Literacy skills sufficient to record and report workplace information; maintain documentation; write reports and submissions in appropriate style and format

Numeracy skills sufficient to interpret numerical data; identify quantities and costings

Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems and equipment faults; demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge

Applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for managing seed collection

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for managing seed collection

Environmental risks and hazards

Flowering biology of the target species

Biological signs that indicate that the seed crop is ready to be collected

Procedures to extract and handle seed from collected material, including handling procedures of the seed crop after picking

Treatment and documentation requirements of extracted seed

Seed collection methods

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques

Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

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.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

fatigue management

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices, including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements may include:

legislation

organisational policies and procedures

workplace practices

Legislative requirements:

are to be in line with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

award and enterprise agreements

industrial relations

Australian Standards

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

equal opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

Organisational requirements may include:

legal

organisational and site guidelines

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality assurance

procedural manuals

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures

ethical standards

recording and reporting requirements

equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements

environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Seed may include:

native species

non-native species

Seed collection may include:

seed orchards

forests

softwoods and hardwoods

rainforest

understorey plants

Environmental protection measures may include:

ground growth

canopy

general forest lean

wind speed and direction

fallen trees

density of trees

ground slope

soil and water protection

ground hazards and obstacles

contingencies for modifying operations during wet or other adverse weather conditions

hygiene of the area

relevant commonwealth, state or territory, and local legislation and regulations

Seed characteristics may include:

provenance

potential growth characteristics

forest types

optimum time to collect

physiology and biology

dormancy

species

Implementation issues may include:

scheduling

people and skills involved

materials

hazards

seed quantities

selection

Opportunities may include:

field observation

organisational and other relevant information

Method of seed collection may include:

climbing

removal of branches with rifle

elevated platform vehicles

consideration of the:

geography of the local area

size and type of trees

available resources

organisational guidelines

and may also include:

collecting after falling or felling

ladders

shaking

high-powered rifles

cherry pickers

Impacts may include:

requirements for genetic diversity

frost

heat

salt hardiness

potential growth characteristics

Approvals may include:

heritage requirements

environmental sustainability requirements

other issues applying to seed collection operation

Plan may include:

organisational terminology

guidelines

budgets

policies and timelines

internal memos

resources, including people, material and equipment

Appropriatepersonnel may include:

clients

colleagues

line management

those collecting the seed, such as:

organisational employees

contractors

community groups

Resources may include:

people

material

equipment

Documentation may include:

provenance

seed species and location

identity of collector

weight of seed collected

Individuals, bodies and groups may include:

landholders

commonwealth, state or territory, and local government authorities

private individuals

Checks may include:

ensuring:

relevant organisational OHS procedures, practices, policies and precautions are observed and followed

site environmental requirements follow relevant commonwealth, state or territory, and local legislation and regulations

performance indicators, targets and specifications are met

quantity, cost and provenances collected are in line with plan specifications

required organisational documentation is completed clearly and accurately

Communication may include:

verbal and non-verbal language

constructive feedback

active listening

questioning to clarify and confirm understanding

use of positive, confident and cooperative language

use of language and concepts appropriate to individual social and cultural differences

control of tone of voice

Limitations may include:

job role and responsibilities

own competency level

industry requirements

own understanding of risk identification processes

own interpretation of legislation, regulations and procedures

OHS and environmental requirements

Records and reports may include:

difficulties or issues faced

recommendations for future work, results and costs

collation of information or documentation

interpreting information in a way relevant to workplace requirements

organising and maintaining records accurately

using a full range of information media, including written, printed, verbal, electronic, visual display units and personal computers

and may be:

manual

computer-based system

other appropriate organisational communication system