Assessor Resource

MSS024007A
Collect and evaluate meteorological data

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


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

environmental services (e.g. sampling and monitoring of air quality, water, soil and noise)

environmental compliance, auditing and inspection

solid and hazardous waste management, and site remediation

management of contaminated sites

geotechnical services and civil engineering

natural resource management.

This unit of competency covers the ability to site and set up basic ‘ground level’ meteorological equipment and collect and record reliable data. It also includes the ability to assess data quality, interpret significant data features and use the data to ensure the validity of air and noise monitoring measurements.

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:

explaining the purpose and objectives of the meteorological monitoring, including:

information and analysis required

end users of information

significance of outcomes for broader programs

planning and preparing for field work

interpreting and applying relevant enterprise procedures and standard methods

setting up, checking and operating meteorological equipment to obtain sufficient measurements to ensure reliable data

accurately recording field data

assessing data quality and interpreting significant features and anomalies

using data to ensure validity of air and noise monitoring programs

working safely.

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:

MSS024003A Apply an understanding of environmental principles to a site

MSS025000A series units associated with the monitoring of air, odour and noise

MSL974009A Undertake field-based remote-sensing monitoring.

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

Resources may include:

access to suitable sites and vehicle

enterprise procedures governing siting and operation of meteorological measurements

maps and aerial photos

suitable meteorological measuring equipment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of meteorological data, results and measurement records prepared by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures and works safely

oral/written questioning associated with basic meteorology and in-field measurement of meteorological parameters

observation of work carried out in the field with a focus on:

identification of monitoring site according to defined criteria

safe, reliable set-up and operation of equipment

recording, storing, analysing and presenting basic meteorological 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:

planning and organising resources for field work

following legislative requirements, standard methods, enterprise procedures and instructions governing meteorological measurement

reading maps and aerial photos

collecting, collating and recording simple meteorological information for a site

applying meteorological data to results from other environmental monitoring programs

using and maintaining equipment to obtain reliable measurements for required parameters

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

preparing brief oral/written 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:

distinction between weather and climate and an awareness of climate change science

composition and structure of the atmosphere, especially the lower atmosphere

solar energy spectrum and link to atmospheric conditions

seasonality, effects of latitude and continental geography

atmospheric motion (horizontal and vertical)

lifting (orographic, convective and frontal)

basic pressure/temperature/volume principles

high and low pressure cell formation

weather effects (e.g. precipitation, temperature and wind strength/direction) and interpretation of maps

local wind effects (e.g. sea breeze, city breeze, katabatic winds and anabatic winds)

forms of atmospheric moisture and humidity

atmospheric conditions related to wind direction

measurement of atmospheric conditions (e.g. precipitation, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction)

weather maps (e.g. symbols used, terminology, interpretation and forecasts)

historical and geographic comparison of weather data

operation, calibration and maintenance of meteorological equipment

scalar and vector wind speed and direction calculations

wind run

influence of different sampling intervals and averaging times

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 and 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

AS 2923:1987 Ambient air - Guide for measurement of horizontal wind for air quality applications

Australian Bureau of Meteorology Observation Specification 2013.1 Guidelines for the siting and exposure of meteorological instruments and observing facilities

National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure Technical Paper No 6: Meteorological Measurements

World Meteorological Organisation - No. 8: Guide to meteorological instruments and methods of observation

enterprise or regulator procedures for sampling and in-field testing

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

safe work procedures

Hazards may include

Hazards may include:

sunlight, dust, noise and heat

extreme weather conditions (e.g. fire, flood and storms)

manual/handling of heavy equipment or materials

crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery

vehicular traffic on roads and sites

injuries caused by falling objects and working conditions, such as uneven surfaces, heights, slopes and wet surfaces

biohazards (e.g. microbiological organisms in soils)

chemical hazards/contaminants in soils

Siting and installation considerations for meteorological instrumentation

Siting and installation considerations for meteorological instrumentation may include:

topography

vegetation and built structures

exposure

availability of services

site security

Meteorological instrumentation

Meteorological instrumentation may include:

thermometers:

liquid in glass

thermocouples

Pt resistance

thermistors

hygrometers and psychrometers

barometers:

aneroid

mercury

anemometers:

rotational

pressure tube

Doppler

rain gauges:

manual

tipping bucket

automatic weather stations (AWS)

radiometers

net pyranometer

total solar radiometer

Meteorological parameters

Meteorological parameters may include:

temperature and temperature gradient

atmospheric pressure

humidity

precipitation

wind speed and direction (vector and scalar)

vertical wind speed

insolation and net radiation

evaporation

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
Review job request to identify the equipment required and the appropriate meteorological parameters to be measured 
Identify hazards and enterprise safe work procedures associated with the site, test methods and equipment used 
Confirm site location, access, timing and any client requirements 
Assemble all required equipment/materials and check that they are fit for purpose 
Stow equipment/materials to ensure their safe transport, as necessary 
Arrange transport to site, as necessary 
Liaise with appropriate personnel on arrival at site to ensure safety and minimise disruption to others, as necessary 
Select an appropriate location for the meteorological equipment at the site to ensure valid readings for the required parameters are achievable 
Install and check instrumentation and any recording/data logging equipment to ensure it is functioning correctly 
Confirm calibration status of meteorological equipment 
Perform measurements using ‘ground level’ meteorological equipment 
Collect meteorological data using physical or electronic methods 
Ensure wind direction sensors are aligned or corrected to true north rather than magnetic north 
Ensure that quality requirements for data are met 
Perform any required corrections, calculations and data manipulations and identify significant trends in data 
Check for anomalous data and take appropriate corrective action 
Verify that processed data meets requirements 
Relate meteorological data to weather maps and other sources of meteorological data 
Associate meteorological conditions with related weather maps 
Compare weather patterns and data for different time periods and geographic locations 
Interpret meteorological data in terms of local atmospheric conditions 
Use meteorological data to interpret and/or assist with processing air and/or noise monitoring data 
Use safe work procedures and protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others 
Minimise environmental impacts of meteorological measurements and generation of waste 
Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with environmental/quarantine requirements and enterprise procedures 
Report field data in the required formats and expected timeframe 
Complete all required documentation 
Maintain the security and confidentiality of data and documentation in accordance with enterprise requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSS024007A - Collect and evaluate meteorological 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

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Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSS024007A - Collect and evaluate meteorological 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:

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