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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify customer needs and expectations
  2. Respond to customer needs and expectations
  3. Communicate effectively with the public
  4. Manage difficult customer situations
  5. Identify customer needs and expectations
  6. Respond to customer needs and expectations
  7. Communicate effectively with the public
  8. Manage difficult customer situations

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

conflict resolution

listening questioning and other relevant communication skills

working effectively with different ages genders and races

negotiation including providing supporting reasons and considering suggestions of others

locating information

reading selectively and summarising information

working individually and as part of a team

problem solving

decision making

time management

planning and managing own work priorities

selfassessment of service level provided

using software and technology appropriate to position

Required Knowledge

council policies and procedures relevant to customer service and information

councils antidiscrimination guidelines

local area community profile

local community cultures

functions of local government

major regulatory functions of council

council services facilities and activities

council organisation and structure

Evidence Required

Overview of assessment requirements

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit will be able to perform the outcomes described in the Elements to the required performance level detailed in the Performance Criteria The knowledge and skill requirements described in the Range Statement must also be demonstrated For example knowledge of the legislative framework and safe work practices that underpin the performance of the unit are also required to be demonstrated

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered

The demonstrated ability to

locate interpret and provide relevant information to customer requests

seek assistance when necessary in an effort to provide service to customers

complete appropriate workplace records when responding to customer requests

deal appropriately with difficult customer situations

communicate consistently and effectively with members of the public

work in accordance with council policies and procedures

Context of assessment

On the job or in a simulated workplace environment

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

observation of the learner performing a range of workplace tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies

written andor oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding

completion of workplace documentation

thirdparty reports from experienced practitioners

completion of selfpaced learning materials including personal reflection and feedback from trainer coach or supervisor

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance

Evidence will need to be gathered over time across a range of variables

Resource implications

Access to a workplace or simulated roleplay process involving a range of customer enquiries and complaints relating to council issues


Range Statement

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.

Customers may include:

colleagues

council executives

elected members

community/citizens

residents and rate payers

contractors

other agencies and government departments

developers

Effective communication may include:

listening and understanding others

empathising

being assertive

behaving professionally

writing to suit audience needs

Requests for information may include:

written: involving reading, selecting and extracting relevant information

spoken: involving questioning appropriate personnel and relaying information to the customer

Completion of necessary documentation may include:

independent or assisted form filling

recording events in the sequence they happened

Communication with the public may include:

spoken: face to face and telephone

written: electronic, forms and letters

non-verbal: gestures and body language

displays of information: photographs

clear, sequenced explanations and instructions

paraphrasing and negotiating meaning

checking back on details and summarising

speaking clearly and directly

using another language where necessary or seeking the services of an interpreter

Opportunities for customer feedback may include:

customer satisfaction forms

suggestion box

customer surveys

complaints department

dispute-resolution processes

Council procedures may include:

as documented in procedures manuals

standardised operations

Procedures for dealing with difficult customers may include:

seeking assistance

referring to other personnel

Review of feedback includes:

review of complaint database

discussion in work group