Critical aspects of competency

Accurate determination of requirements for provision of information or advice to client.

Communicates clear and accurate information and advice to client.

Provides client with opportunities to confirm understanding and seek clarification.

Assists client to obtain access to additional information, including providing sources and resources.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

Waste minimisation strategies.

Current issues in waste management.

Legal implications

Company requirements.

Sources of waste management information.

Available government services.

Dangerous goods in use.

OHS hierarchy of control.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:

interpersonal communication

listening and provision of feedback

assessing client capacities

presentation of information

demonstrating.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

range of waste management issues

identified client target groups

resources for education

role play

case studies.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Evidence of competency is best obtained by observing activities in the field and reviewing information provided to client on waste management issues. If this is not practicable, observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.

Consistency in performance

Assessment requires that strategies meet the objectives of clients and comply with industry expectations in the particular client environment. If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs, it will be necessary to assess the unit within a variety of waste management environments or different client needs to assess competency in the information provided on waste management issues.

Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written audit, questions are to be identical.)

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Note: All practical demonstrations must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each state or territory.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added.

Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this competency standard.

Refer to Evidence Guide

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

Assessment methods include discussion with client, review of past service records and visual inspection.

Client/company includes all forms of business enterprise in this context including government agencies, local governments/councils, private and public companies and residents/ratepayers.

Cost-effective implies a balance between affordable by the client, achieve effective solution and enable profit to be achieved by operator.

Information includes but is not limited to all aspects of waste management, impacts on the environment and health, waste minimisation legislation and controls and waste management services available.

Need for provision of information will typically arise from client waste management needs and requirements, compliance requirements, environmental considerations, health considerations and waste disposal cost considerations.

Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following:

Australian Standards

environmental regulations

legislative requirements

manufacturers' specifications

organisational procedures

relevant state/territory regulations.

Relevant legislation and codes cover state and federal:

consumer protection

dangerous goods

duty of care

industry codes of conduct

public and other liability

Australian Standards

environmental protection legislation.

Responsibilities and capacities may include costs and availability of trained and/or licensed persons and maintenance of site.

Sources of information include company publications, government information documents and industry publications.

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