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 manage tending operations in a native forest

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 tending operations in a native forest

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to managing tending operations in a native forest

following applicable licensing or certification requirements

planning a tending operation using consultative processes with colleagues and stakeholders to obtain inputs, and ensure efficient and safe processes and timelines

implementing a tending operation in line with documented plan and budget, and making adjustments to plan or operation

reviewing and analysing the operation and use of findings to document improvements to future operations

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

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 comply with 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 methods applicable to this unit may include direct observation of tasks with questioning of required knowledge and the completion of projects, assignments or written tests

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

Communication skills sufficient to use consultative and interpersonal techniques and effectively present written and oral information to colleagues and a wide range of individuals and groups

Literacy skills sufficient to accurately record and report workplace information and prepare a range of reports, documentation and submissions where precise meaning is required

Numeracy skills sufficient to analyse qualitative and quantitative information and data

Problem solving skills sufficient to demonstrate time and project management

Planning and organisational skills to coordinate the acquisition of required resources, authorisations and approvals and to develop tending plans

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 tending operations in a native forest

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for managing tending operations in a native forest

Impact of tending operations on forest productivity and various end products

Biology of relevant forest health problems

Tree growth and development

Weed species and herbicide interactions

Hydrology and hydrological principles

Botany, including plant identification and classification skills

Ecology and ecological interactions

Soil types and structure

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution strategies and common fault finding techniques

Types of tools and equipment and procedures for their use, operation and maintenance relevant to managing tending operations in a native forest

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 accordance 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

Legislative requirements:

are to be in accordance 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

heritage and traditional land owner issues

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 and maintenance and storage requirements

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

access and equity principles and practices

Tending operations

may have the potential to impact on the organisation's public relations

and may be designed to:

maintain the health of the stand

improve productivity and long term sustainability

provide for end product mix requirements

manage notifiable weeds

Timeline

may be critical to the productivity of the forest, success of the operation, and on suitability for various forest products (e.g. pruning certification)

Appropriate personnel may include:

operations supervisor

management

colleagues

clients

relevant groups

Environmental protection requirements may include:

soil disturbance measures

retention tree damage

fungal hygiene measures

identification of habitat trees

chemical handling and application procedures

Operation requirements may include:

end product requirements

stand treatment certification documentation

contractual requirements and obligations

environmental and public relations imperatives

current state of the forest resource

Impact may relate to:

nature and size of the crop and non-crop species

availability and skill level of the labour force

Consultative processes may include:

face-to-face meetings

telephone

facsimile

written

email communication

and may be with:

clients

technical operators

marketing groups

operations supervisor

colleagues

and relevant groups/bodies such as:

environmental bodies

local, State and federal government bodies and agencies

internal policy groups

labour force

Input may include:

details of equipment

methods and consumables to be used

specifications for thinning

weed/insect management

stand health, pruning and tree selection

necessary notifications of relevant groups/bodies

specifications and quality parameters

performance indicators

Approvals may be required by:

environmental bodies

local, State and federal government bodies and agencies

and may include:

long-term budget approvals

Authorisations may include:

permits

approvals

licences relating to neighbouring properties

and may relate to:

hours of operation

use and application of chemicals

the environment

Hazards may refer to:

use of chemicals

off-site effects

tools and equipment

dangers to the public

Communication will include:

regular communication with the operations supervisor to ensure smooth operation and progress

Documentation requirements

must be clear and accurate and may include:

changes to the plan or process

supplementary approvals

supplementary notifications

Monitoring points

may be time-based or frequency-based

Compliance requirements may include:

OHS

organisational, legislative and environmental regulations procedures, practices and precautions

adherence to site environmental imperatives

specifications

quality

performance targets

Information

may be from a variety of sources and include:

legislation

forest biology

tree physiology

new technology

Records and reports may include:

difficulties or issues faced during conduct of tending operation

recommendations for future work

results

costs

data analysis