Critical aspects of competency

Ability to identify environmental management objectives.

Relevant stakeholders consulted in development of strategy.

Relevant environmental assets clearly identified.

Ability to prioritise environmental issues by level of importance and impact.

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.

Features of an environmental management strategy.

Management strategy options.

Waste minimisation hierarchy.

Environmental issues.

Environmental planning/management.

Community needs and expectations.

Resource availability.

OHS hierarchy of control.

Relevant environmental protection legislation.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

research

analysis

communication skills (including liaising with stakeholders, asking questions, providing information, explaining strategy)

strategic planning and strategy development

reading and interpreting data and information

prioritising

evaluation

budgeting.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

environmental protection legislation

company policy and procedure

range of stakeholders.

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 the development of an environmental management strategy. 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 development of an environmental management strategy.

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.

Alternative model characteristics include consultative, regional, undertaken by external consultants and unilateral.

Constraints include budgets, knowledge, resources and time.

Criteria to prioritise issues may include budget constraints, community preferences, environmental (including energy efficiency issues) impact/benefit, legislative provisions, resources and timeframes.

Data includes but is not limited to existing reports/programs, questionnaires, references, stakeholder input and surveys.

Human resources include community experts, consultants, government agencies, internal staff, project officers and volunteers.

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 industry codes of conduct, occupational health and safety legislation, Australian Standards and environmental protection legislation.

Stakeholders include but are not limited to:

business

community

council

funding bodies

government

industry

interest groups

land management agencies

local authorities

statutory authorities.

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