Assessor Resource

MSS024012A
Undertake simple environmental project activities

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians working in all industry sectors.

This unit of competency covers the ability to carry out straightforward aspects of environmental projects, such as researching basic site information and performing routine sampling, monitoring and data management. Personnel may work individually, or as part of a team. They are expected to confirm the project brief/plan with their supervisor, carry out the assigned project activities and maintain progress through to the project’s completion. The unit does not cover procurement of project resources and contract management.

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:

following relevant enterprise procedures

using available project management procedures and tools to plan assigned tasks and monitor/report progress

providing quality deliverables on time

seeking advice/assistance when difficulties are beyond scope of responsibility or technical competence

identifying opportunities for improvement during project activities

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:

MSS024000A series environmental monitoring, sampling, and testing units

MSL974007A Undertake environmental field-based monitoring

MSL974009A Undertake field-based, remote sensing.

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

Resources may include:

site/project history

relevant enterprise environmental project management procedures, tools and checklists

physical resources required for work activities, such as maps, laptop computer, digital camera, and monitoring and sampling equipment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of work breakdown structure, work plan and reports prepared by candidate

presentation of project process and deliverables to an appropriate audience

feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidate’s ability to follow enterprise procedures and complete project activities/deliverables on time and within budget

oral or written questioning to check underpinning knowledge of environmental and project management requirements for assigned tasks.

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 assigned project tasks

following legislative requirements, standard methods and enterprise procedures

collecting, collating and recording simple environmental information

processing and presenting simple quantitative environmental data

using and maintaining equipment to undertake assigned project activities

preparing brief oral/written reports and project presentations

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:

enterprise project planning, management and reporting requirements

environmental terms, concepts and principles relevant to assigned project activities

enterprise and regulator sampling, monitoring and testing procedures that apply to assigned project activities

enterprise procedures for identifying/assessing and controlling hazards/risks associated with project activities

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 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

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

enterprise procedures and tools for project management

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

safe work procedures

Environment

The environment comprises the surroundings in which an enterprise and/or industry operates, and may include:

air, water and land

natural and built resources

flora and fauna

humans and how they interrelate

Simple environmental project activities

Simple environmental projects may include collecting and presenting data related to:

air quality

water quality

ecology studies

soil surveys

hydrological surveys

land management

coastal management

wetland management

stormwater management

waste management

Simple project activities could involve real or simulated work activities and may include:

sourcing and collating available information about environmental sites or simple issues

sampling

in-field testing

conducting simple flora and/or fauna surveys

checking data files

presenting data in useable formats

Project brief

Project brief may include an outline of:

aims/expectations/rationale

project activities

assigned tasks and deliverables

Project plan

Project plan may include:

scope

objectives

work breakdown structure

available resources (e.g. equipment and team)

specific roles and responsibilities

budget and cost estimates

milestones

quality requirements and assurance procedures

risk analysis and control measures

safety requirements and related work procedures

stakeholders and consultation procedures

project management procedures, including reporting

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

maps (road and topographical)

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

Sites

Sites will vary with the scope of the enterprise’s activities, and may include:

public places

industrial settings (e.g. manufacturing, mining, forestry and construction)

roadways

indoors

farms

domestic locations

waterways and catchment areas

natural heritage or conservation areas

Project data and documentation

Project data and documentation may include:

sampling, monitoring or in-field test data and results

records of vehicles/equipment use

records of time spent and approved expenditure

emails and correspondence

records of consultations

progress reports

final reports/briefings

Agreed problem-solving strategies

Agreed problem-solving strategies may include:

researching and applying more efficient methods of completing project tasks

seeking technical advice

sharing expertise and assisting team members

reducing costs

seeking further resources

negotiating an extension of deadlines or redefining deliverables

changing roles and responsibilities within the project team

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
Clarify details of project brief and plan with supervisor 
Identify regulations, standards, codes and enterprise procedures that apply to project activities 
Analyse the project plan to confirm outputs, timeframe, risks and controls, roles and responsibilities and stakeholder involvement 
Confirm performance indicators, milestones, deliverables and available resources for assigned project activities 
Locate and review background information for site/project 
Prioritise project activities as directed 
Break down project activities into small achievable components and efficient sequences 
Identify and assemble required resources 
Liaise with relevant personnel to organise site access and permits, as necessary 
Review work plan in response to new information, changed circumstances or instructions from appropriate personnel 
Update work plan and communicate changes to appropriate personnel, as necessary 
Cooperate with stakeholders and/or team members to achieve agreed outcomes, timelines and outcomes 
Apply technical knowledge and skills to safely conduct assigned tasks in accordance with project requirements 
Collect, verify and store project data in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Seek assistance from relevant personnel when difficulties are beyond scope of technical competence or responsibility 
Monitor and record completion of activities and progress towards milestones 
Recognise problems and opportunities for improved work performance 
Use agreed strategies to tackle challenges and solve problems 
Identify and access appropriate sources of help, as necessary 
Provide progress reports in accordance with project requirements 
Provide project deliverables on time and at the required quality standard 
Evaluate the project process and identify any issues and opportunities for continuous improvement 
Prepare project reports containing the required information and using the agreed style, voice and format 
Complete and store all project documentation 
Brief supervisor about project process and outcomes 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSS024012A - Undertake simple environmental project activities
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

MSS024012A - Undertake simple environmental project activities

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: