Assessor Resource

MSS024005A
Collect spatial and discrete environmental data

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians working in a range of industry sectors, such as:

environmental monitoring, sampling and field testing (e.g. air, water, soil and noise)

geotechnical services

natural resource management

occupational hygiene outdoor monitoring (e.g. air, noise and radiation)

groundwater and clean water (e.g. catchments, supply and environmental flows)

water treatment, storm and wastewater management

site remediation and rehabilitation

This unit of competency covers the ability to obtain and store spatial and discrete environmental data using handheld global positioning system (GPS) equipment.

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

Not applicable.




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.

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:

planning and conducting data collection efficiently and safely

setting up and operating handheld GPS equipment and environmental instruments correctly

collecting spatial and environmental data that meet specifications

recognising and recording atypical data

conducting basic troubleshooting of equipment

processing, presenting and storing data reliably

completing required documentation accurately.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

environmental monitoring units, such as:

MSL974007A Undertake environmental field-based monitoring

MSS024008A Recognise common geological landforms and samples

MSS024011A Navigate in urban, regional and remote areas.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Resources may include:

GPS receivers and related GPS software

environmental monitoring instruments, digital camera and sampling equipment

site/project history, maps and aerial photos

guidelines, codes, regulations and enterprise procedures governing data collection.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of data and results obtained by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers

observation of candidate collecting data with a focus on:

general site reconnaissance and observations

set-up and use of equipment

accurate data recording

problem solving/troubleshooting

safe work practices

oral and/or written questions to assess understanding of enterprise procedures, use of equipment and interpretation of data.

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.

Guidance information for assessment


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

Required skills include:

reading and interpreting instructions, specifications, procedures and manuals

planning and organising resources for data collection

reading and interpreting maps and aerial photos

using computer equipment to collect, manipulate and file spatial/environmental data

using basic troubleshooting and problem-solving methods to check/address atypical data

performing calculations involving height, depth, dimensions, uncertainty, accuracy and precision

relating direction and position on ground to visual representations

presenting results and preparing technical reports

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility

working safely for the protection of self and others

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

legislative requirements, standard methods and enterprise procedures governing data collection

environmental terms, concepts and principles relevant to data collection

operating principles of GPS equipment and environmental instruments, set-up and optimisation methods, and equipment limitations

uncertainty, accuracy and precision of measurements, and data requirements

data formats

methods for data processing, manipulation and management

relevant health and safety requirements and enterprise safe work procedures

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

federal legislation, such as:

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Australian Heritage Council Act 2003

Native Title Act 1993

state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:

land use, acquisition, planning and protection

environmental protection

cultural/heritage protection

vegetation management

nature conservation and wildlife/plant protection

water, water management

soil conservation

pollution and contaminated sites

fisheries, forestry and mining operations

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set

enterprise or regulator procedures for sampling, monitoring and in-field testing

equipment manuals and standard operating procedures

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

safe work procedures

Background information

Background information may include:

site or project history

client history

records of consultations with stakeholders

emergency plans and safety procedures

site access protocols and permits

site utilities/services (e.g. water, sewer, electricity and gas)

maps (e.g. road, topographical and survey marks)

existing data sets (e.g. vegetation, topography, soils and regional ecosystem maps)

hazards and safety risks

Specifications

Specifications may include:

purpose of data collection

detailed descriptions of spatial and environmental data requirements:

positional data, metadata, calculated information

environmental measurements

sampling

data processing requirements

data quality requirements

data presentation/reporting requirements

Equipment

Equipment may include:

any handheld GPS receiver

sampling and environmental monitoring equipment

communications equipment (e.g. radio and phone)

safety equipment

Project parameters

Project parameters may include:

coordinate systems

datum

display formats

information displays

data outputs, formats and protocols

Verifying data

Verifying data may include checking the quality of environmental data by:

comparison with expected or reference values

conducting repeat tests, and using duplicate samples or locations

Required documentation

Required documentation may include:

map of GPS data locations

sampling, monitoring or in-field test data and results

records of vehicle/equipment use

records of time spent and approved expenditure

emails and correspondence

records of site consultations

final report/briefing

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

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
Locate and review relevant legislative/regulatory, enterprise requirements and background information for site/project 
Locate and interpret specifications for spatial and environmental data collection 
Develop a data collection plan in accordance with specifications and relevant requirements 
Establish codes for environmental attributes 
Assemble equipment and check that it is fit for purpose 
Confirm plan with supervisor, as necessary 
Set up environmental measuring instruments on site and perform pre-use/calibration checks 
Set up GPS equipment with correct datum and projection settings 
Operate instruments/equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures 
Determine conditions for obtaining optimum GPS positions 
Collect point positional data in accordance with data collection plan 
Attribute environmental data for each location 
‘Ground truth’ GPS data using maps, aerial photos and/or satellite imagery 
Verify environmental data, identify atypical results and review procedures/troubleshoot equipment, as necessary 
Use appropriate GPS software to download and process GPS and environmental data and extract required information 
Use specified quality tests and enterprise procedures to check acceptability of environmental data 
Report location and environmental data using required formats and within the expected timeframe 
Complete all required documentation 
Maintain the security and confidentiality of data and documentation in accordance with enterprise requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSS024005A - Collect spatial and discrete environmental data
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

MSS024005A - Collect spatial and discrete environmental data

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: