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 plan and manage an inventory program

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 planning and managing an inventory program

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to planning and managing an inventory program

planning an inventory program and forest assessment using consultative processes with colleagues and stakeholders to obtain inputs, and ensuring efficient and safe processes and timelines

implementing an inventory program in line with documented plan and budget, and making adjustments to plan or program

reviewing and analysing an inventory program and using findings to document improvements to future assessments

preparing and presenting a detailed report, including costs, processes and analysis of findings of the program

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 select sampling techniques; create sampling designs; identify species growing in the target area; identify vegetation in reference texts; recognise common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate consultative, communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others; present written and verbal information to a wide range of individuals and groups

Literacy skills sufficient to analyse qualitative and quantitative information and data; prepare a range of reports, documentation and submissions where precise meaning is required; prepare site maps and plans; use and adapt complex maps and diagrams

Problem solving skills sufficient to demonstrate effective time and project management

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 planning and managing an inventory program

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material, the minimisation of environmental impact, and the safe use and storage of chemicals

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for planning and managing an inventory program

Environmental risks and hazards

Using energy effectively and efficiently

Using material effectively and efficiently

Procedures for the development and implementation of a range of environmental management strategies

Data collection and analysis methods

Map and plan preparation techniques

Characteristics and growth habits of local vegetation

Identification of plant species and their ecological interactions with the environment

Soil characteristics and topography of local area

Use and application of appropriate survey and assessment equipment

Statistical analysis techniques

Sampling techniques applicable to forest assessments

Problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques

Principles of hydrology and the interaction/implications between forests/plantations and water use

Established communication channels and protocols

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)

Inventory program may be to:

calculate the current and expected wood volume and yield within a forest

set a monitoring process in place to enable reporting against marketing, strategic and business plans

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

Timeline may be:

critical to the productivity of the forest

critical to the success of the program and assessment activities

Appropriate personnel may include:

coordinating or operational personnel

management

colleagues

clients

relevant groups

Methods relate to:

measurement and survey

and may include:

use of geographic information systems (GIS)

interpretation of aerial photography

range of sampling techniques

Consultative processes may include:

face-to-face meetings

telephone

facsimile

written and email communication

and may be with:

clients

technical operators

marketing groups

coordinating or operational personnel

colleagues

relevant groups or bodies, such as environmental bodies; local, state or territory, and federal government bodies and agencies; internal policy groups; and labour force

Approvals:

may be required by:

environmental bodies

local, state or territory, and federal government bodies and agencies

and may include:

long-term budget approvals

Resources may include:

people

material

equipment and tools, including GIS and aerial photography

Authorisations may include:

permits

approvals

licences relating to neighbouring sites or properties

and may relate to:

hours of operation

use and application of chemicals

the environment

Communication may include:

regular communication with the operations and coordinating personnel to ensure smooth assessment processes and progress

Documentation requirements must be:

clear and accurate and include:

changes to the program or assessment process

performance criteria

supplementary approvals

supplementary notifications, which may involve creating or amending maps, plans, reports or forms

Monitoring points may be:

time-based

frequency-based

Checked may include:

following OHS, organisational, legislative and environmental regulations, procedures, practices and precautions

adherence to site environmental imperatives, specifications, quality, and performance targets

Information may relate to:

the sample area

and may include:

previous surveys and assessments

aerial photography

GIS data

previous reports

management information systems data

marketing

strategic and business plans and associated implementation plans

Records and reports may include:

difficulties or issues faced during planning and implementing the inventory program or conducting forest assessments

recommendations for future work

results

costs

data analysis

and may be:

manual

a computer-based system

other appropriate organisational communication system