Assessor Resource

SITTPPD004A
Plan and implement minimal impact operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes a product planning function for a diverse range of tourism products delivered across a range of tourism industry sectors.

It has particular application to the tour operating, cruise and attractions sectors and to those tourism products that are delivered in environmentally sensitive areas. Many would be nature or ecotourism-based experiences.

The planning and implementation of minimal impact operations could be for a series of activities within a venue, a tour operation, or a one-off activity. This role would normally apply to those who operate with some level of autonomy or under limited supervision and guidance from others, e.g. senior operational or supervisory personnel such as senior guide or senior activities coordinator, site guide, interpretive guide and owner-operator of a small tourism business.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to organise and operate tourism activities with minimal negative environmental and social impact, and to monitor and report on any impact.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

The emphasis of this unit is on short-term operational action planning and implementation, without the strategic focus found in SITTPPD006B Plan and develop ecologically sustainable tourism operations.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Nil


Employability Skills

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.




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.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to organise and operate tourism activities with minimal negative environmental and social impact and monitor and report on any impact on the environment

knowledge of general environmental impact and issues in regard to tourism and the particular environments of operation

knowledge of minimal impact practices

planning and implementation of minimal impact operations for multiple delivery environments to ensure that skills can be adapted to different delivery locations and contexts

project or work activities conducted over an operationally realistic period of time so that the monitoring and recording of changes in the natural environment can be assessed.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to comprehensive and sufficient information about the tourism delivery environment to allow the candidate to plan for minimal impact operations and monitor any environmental impact

conduct and monitoring of a minimal impact tour or activity within appropriate environments, e.g. in an environmentally sensitive area

conduct of a tour or activity and interaction with customer groups of a size and nature that reflect the commercial environment in which the tour or activity operates.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to plan and implement minimal impact operations. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate conducting a tour or activity in an environmentally sensitive area

review of planning and operational activities undertaken as part of industry placement or training with an industry operator

project or case study to analyse appropriate minimal impact approaches for different environments

written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the environmental and social impact of tourism, local environmental issues, minimal impact techniques and procedures and regulatory requirements

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SITTGDE004A Lead tour groups

SITTGDE006A Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities

SITTPPD005A Plan and develop interpretive activities

SITTPPD006B Plan and develop ecologically sustainable tourism operations.

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.


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.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

information collection techniques for monitoring environmental and social impact

high-level communication skills to consult with colleagues and stakeholders on issues of environmental responsibility, inform customers of their minimal impact responsibilities as tour or activity members, and discipline non-compliance when necessary

literacy skills to:

read and interpret complex materials describing environmental regulatory requirements, local land management practices and permit requirements, and industry and ecotourism codes of practice

develop written or verbal tour procedures

numeracy skills to:

record and calculate basic measurements for environmental monitoring, e.g. temperature

count sightings of environmental components, e.g. numbers of animals.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

general and overview knowledge of global environmental issues and ethics

broad working knowledge of the environmental and social impact of tourism

in-depth knowledge of local environmental issues and the social and cultural aspects of the local host community

the key contents of industry ecotourism codes of practice, especially that of the Ecotourism Association of Australia

broad working knowledge of the range of environmental legislation and regulations imposed by relevant land management agencies and federal, state or territory, and local governments

working knowledge of the particular land management practices and permit requirements affecting the area of operations, e.g. those used by national park management

understanding of the biophysical and socio-cultural elements in an environment

minimal impact techniques and procedures in relation to:

waste disposal

use of tracks

energy use

noise

souveniring

setting of camps

interaction with wildlife

group size

activity-specific guidelines

local customs and courtesies.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Environmental impact may include:

positive:

opportunities for conservation and protection

education of visitors

improvement of sites already impacted

negative:

disturbance of flora and fauna

physical damage

introduction of exotic and feral species

pollution

waste, energy and consumable demands and issues

visual impacts.

Social impact may include:

positive:

economic benefits to local community

improved local facilities

employment

visitor education

greater understanding between host and visitor cultures

negative:

trivialisation of culture

effect on social structures.

Minimal impact techniques and procedures may include:

education on appropriate behaviour

site hardening

technological solutions

education

restricting or limiting access

staged authenticity.

Changes in the natural environment may include:

breeding events

erosion

species sighting

changes to flora

changes to fauna.

Collecting environmental information may involve:

logbooks

sighting forms

basic measurements, including temperature, weather conditions and estimating percentage cover and water

photography.

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
Develop experiences and activities that combine education and interpretation of the natural environment, and ensure environmental sustainability and cultural sensitivity. 
Ensure a positive outcome for the local community and environment, and compliance with ecotourism codes of practice. 
Consult with colleagues and other stakeholders regarding issues of responsibility for environmental impact and social impact. 
Develop tour procedures to limit potential negative impact and maximise positive impact on the natural environment and local community. 
Select and use minimal impacttechniques and procedures appropriate for a given area. 
Advise customers politely about acceptable behaviour in different environments and communities prior to entering the area. 
Provide a role model for customers and colleagues in relation to minimal impact. 
Take appropriate action to address situations where customer behaviour is not acceptable. 
Monitor and accurately record changes in the natural environment using appropriate technology. 
Collect environmental information on behalf of environmental and social agencies and authorities where appropriate. 
Advise appropriate authorities of environmental and social change promptly. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SITTPPD004A - Plan and implement minimal impact operations
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

SITTPPD004A - Plan and implement minimal impact operations

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: