Assessor Resource

FWPCOT3256
Apply biodiversity protection principles

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to access, interpret and apply biodiversity principles and requirements, including monitoring work practices for compliance, and maintaining forest documentation and records.

The unit applies to those who work to identify and protect forest habitats, threatened species, microclimates and landscape features, and who conduct hazard-reduction in an operational forest environment.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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



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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for work

1.1 Identify and review information on regulatory requirements for the application of biodiversity protection principles for various forest types.

1.2 Identify and interpret key principles and requirements that apply to ecological and biodiversity protection.

1.3 Identify sensitive ecological and biodiversity sites, habitats, landscape features and protection zones in the forest operational plan and maps.

2. Implement biodiversity protection principles

2.1 Review work order and identify and clarify ecological and biodiversity requirements.

2.2 Identify endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats, sensitive landscape features and protection zones in the field.

2.3 Identify and report existing and potential ecological risks and hazards.

2.4 Apply protection measures for endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats and sensitive landscape features and protection zones in line with codes of practice and operational plan.

2.5 Select, apply and verify protection zone methods and materials with appropriate personnel.

2.6 Identify situations requiring specialist advice and seek assistance in line with organisational requirements.

3. Monitor work practices

3.1 Monitor and adjust work practices to meet changing conditions

3.2 Monitor and maintain ecological and biodiversity protection work practices in line with codes of practice and operational plan

3.3 Identify and report non-compliant work practices to appropriate personnel

3.4 Identify improved work practices and make recommendations to improve operations

4. Maintain records

4.1 Update operational plans with any new threatened species or habitat protection prescriptions.

4.2 Record and report biodiversity protection activities to appropriate personnel.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

access and interpret ecological and biodiversity protection requirements

safely and effectively apply biodiversity protection principles to various types of forests

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to implementing and monitoring ecological and biodiversity protection of a forest

monitor and maintain ecological and biodiversity protection practices

identify and report non-compliant work practices

complete workplace documentation.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

applicable regulatory and legal requirements that affect forest operations in relation to ecological and biodiversity protection:

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act)

Threatened Species Conservation Act

Native Vegetation Act

native forest legislation

private native forest codes

forest operational plans

environmental legislation, policy and procedures

environmental planning and assessment

specific site environmental management plans

relevant codes of practice

water catchment management

surface and ground water conservation requirements

relevant Australian standards and industry standards

hazard reduction policy and procedures

plantation legislation

plantation and reforestation code

fisheries and fish passage

national parks and wildlife legislation

good neighbour policies

award and organisational agreements

heritage and traditional landowner

forest certification, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) certification

forest operational plans including one or more of the following:

forest operations plan

harvesting plan

plantation establishment plan

coupe plan

roading plan

drainage plan

sediment and erosion control plan

habitats including any area or region where local animals, plants or organisms may live or rely upon for food, water, shelter or breeding purposes:

habitat plants and trees, including:

specific species

burrow

food

roost

nest

recruitment trees

hollow logs

rocky outcrops

rock overhangs

caves

soil mounds

creek or river banks

sheltered valleys or canyons

any other site, feature or zone listed as habitat or potential habitat

protection zones where operational conditions are varied by prescriptions for the management of ecological and biodiversity values including:

buffer zones

filter strips

riparian protection areas

exclusion zones

conservation management plan

regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices for ecological and biodiversity protection

established communication channels and protocols

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.

The following resources must be made available:

forest operation site

workplace requirements and site standards for applying biodiversity protection principles.

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.


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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for work

1.1 Identify and review information on regulatory requirements for the application of biodiversity protection principles for various forest types.

1.2 Identify and interpret key principles and requirements that apply to ecological and biodiversity protection.

1.3 Identify sensitive ecological and biodiversity sites, habitats, landscape features and protection zones in the forest operational plan and maps.

2. Implement biodiversity protection principles

2.1 Review work order and identify and clarify ecological and biodiversity requirements.

2.2 Identify endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats, sensitive landscape features and protection zones in the field.

2.3 Identify and report existing and potential ecological risks and hazards.

2.4 Apply protection measures for endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats and sensitive landscape features and protection zones in line with codes of practice and operational plan.

2.5 Select, apply and verify protection zone methods and materials with appropriate personnel.

2.6 Identify situations requiring specialist advice and seek assistance in line with organisational requirements.

3. Monitor work practices

3.1 Monitor and adjust work practices to meet changing conditions

3.2 Monitor and maintain ecological and biodiversity protection work practices in line with codes of practice and operational plan

3.3 Identify and report non-compliant work practices to appropriate personnel

3.4 Identify improved work practices and make recommendations to improve operations

4. Maintain records

4.1 Update operational plans with any new threatened species or habitat protection prescriptions.

4.2 Record and report biodiversity protection activities to appropriate personnel.

Not Applicable

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

access and interpret ecological and biodiversity protection requirements

safely and effectively apply biodiversity protection principles to various types of forests

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to implementing and monitoring ecological and biodiversity protection of a forest

monitor and maintain ecological and biodiversity protection practices

identify and report non-compliant work practices

complete workplace documentation.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

applicable regulatory and legal requirements that affect forest operations in relation to ecological and biodiversity protection:

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act)

Threatened Species Conservation Act

Native Vegetation Act

native forest legislation

private native forest codes

forest operational plans

environmental legislation, policy and procedures

environmental planning and assessment

specific site environmental management plans

relevant codes of practice

water catchment management

surface and ground water conservation requirements

relevant Australian standards and industry standards

hazard reduction policy and procedures

plantation legislation

plantation and reforestation code

fisheries and fish passage

national parks and wildlife legislation

good neighbour policies

award and organisational agreements

heritage and traditional landowner

forest certification, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) certification

forest operational plans including one or more of the following:

forest operations plan

harvesting plan

plantation establishment plan

coupe plan

roading plan

drainage plan

sediment and erosion control plan

habitats including any area or region where local animals, plants or organisms may live or rely upon for food, water, shelter or breeding purposes:

habitat plants and trees, including:

specific species

burrow

food

roost

nest

recruitment trees

hollow logs

rocky outcrops

rock overhangs

caves

soil mounds

creek or river banks

sheltered valleys or canyons

any other site, feature or zone listed as habitat or potential habitat

protection zones where operational conditions are varied by prescriptions for the management of ecological and biodiversity values including:

buffer zones

filter strips

riparian protection areas

exclusion zones

conservation management plan

regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices for ecological and biodiversity protection

established communication channels and protocols

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.

The following resources must be made available:

forest operation site

workplace requirements and site standards for applying biodiversity protection principles.

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

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
Identify and review information on regulatory requirements for the application of biodiversity protection principles for various forest types. 
Identify and interpret key principles and requirements that apply to ecological and biodiversity protection. 
Identify sensitive ecological and biodiversity sites, habitats, landscape features and protection zones in the forest operational plan and maps. 
Review work order and identify and clarify ecological and biodiversity requirements. 
Identify endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats, sensitive landscape features and protection zones in the field. 
Identify and report existing and potential ecological risks and hazards. 
Apply protection measures for endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats and sensitive landscape features and protection zones in line with codes of practice and operational plan. 
Select, apply and verify protection zone methods and materials with appropriate personnel. 
Identify situations requiring specialist advice and seek assistance in line with organisational requirements. 
Monitor and adjust work practices to meet changing conditions 
Monitor and maintain ecological and biodiversity protection work practices in line with codes of practice and operational plan 
Identify and report non-compliant work practices to appropriate personnel 
Identify improved work practices and make recommendations to improve operations 
Update operational plans with any new threatened species or habitat protection prescriptions. 
Record and report biodiversity protection activities to appropriate personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPCOT3256 - Apply biodiversity protection principles
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

FWPCOT3256 - Apply biodiversity protection principles

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:

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