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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Assist with organisation of fieldwork
   • Purchase supplies and equipment as specified by senior staff
   • Assemble supplies and equipment and check against inventory
   • Pack supplies and equipment appropriately for safe transport
2. Support field operations
   • Check unpacked items against inventory
   • Store supplies and equipment as specified
   • Restock supplies as necessary
   • Collect and/or dispose of waste in accordance with workplace and environmental requirements
3. Assist with field activities
   • Assemble equipment and materials for fieldwork as directed
   • Collect samples in accordance with workplace procedures, animal care and ethics, and other legislative requirements
   • Store samples in accordance with special requirements for continued wellbeing, viability or integrity of sample
   • Perform simple field measurements as directed
   • Collect and maintain records of site data as directed
4. Demonstrate basic field survival skills
   • Follow specified safety procedures
   • Follow specified survival procedures in the event of emergencies and accidents
   • Wear suitable clothing as protection against solar radiation, extreme temperatures and impact injury
5. Assist with the completion of fieldwork
   • Pack supplies, equipment and samples appropriately for safe return to workplace
   • Check and clean used equipment to prevent deterioration and contamination
   • Check that the condition of vehicles, equipment and materials comply with environmental/quarantine requirements for preventing transfer of pests
   • Return supplies and equipment to storage at workplace location
   • Conduct a stocktake of equipment and supplies for replenishment where required
   • Assist with the dispatch of collected samples for laboratory analysis, as necessary

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements	Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of: Australian, national and international standards, guidelines and codes covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; laboratory safety; occupational protective equipment; labelling of workplace substances; storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods; and environmental management national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, and national environmental protection measures industry specific codes, regulations and guidelines, such as animal welfare legislation and codes of practice; Australian Dangerous Goods Code, and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice workplace documents, such as SOPs; data quality procedures; equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks, calibration and maintenance schedules, material safety data sheets (MSDS), safety procedures, first aid and survival manuals, incident/accident/injury report forms, survey/laboratory schedules, workplace recording and reporting procedures, waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures, and cleaning/hygiene requirements fieldwork instructions, basic sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal), basic test procedures (validated and authorised), specific environmental standards and site-specific requirements
Safety and survival procedures	Safety and survival procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of: using personal protective equipment (PPE), including sunscreen, hats, safety glasses, gloves, safety boots and hearing protection handling, labelling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures and regulations regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment using two-way radio and satellite phone and a regular communication schedule map reading, use of compass and global positioning system (GPS) 'stay with vehicle' in the event of accident or emergency
WHS and environmental management requirements	WHS and environmental management requirements: · complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time · applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

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Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

performing tasks associated with the organisation and conduct of fieldwork and/or field surveys on at least two (2) occasions

performing all field activities according to workplace procedures, legislative and environmental requirements, industry guidelines and codes of practice

organising, packing/unpacking and stowing materials and equipment with close attention to detail

collecting samples in the field

performing simple field measurements

storing and maintaining samples in accordance with special requirements for continued wellbeing, viability and integrity of the sample

cleaning equipment and collecting and disposing of wastes in accordance with safety and environmental requirements

maintaining accurate and complete data records and checklists

using basic field survival strategies

working safely and in accordance with environmental requirements.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

terms used to describe the relevant industry sector's field equipment, materials, samples and specimens

workplace procedures relating to collection, maintenance and storage of samples and field testing relevant to job role

specific legislation and codes of practice related to sample and animal collection (if relevant in the industry sector)

safety and survival procedures and environmental management requirements relevant to fieldwork conducted as part of job role

operating procedures for vehicles and equipment used in fieldwork conducted as part of job role, such as use of liquid petroleum gas (LPG), generators and communication gear

procedures for controlling fieldwork hazards relevant to job role, such as:

solar radiation, dust and noise

personnel getting lost

incidents or emergencies, such as snake or animal bites

severe weather conditions

manual handling of heavy objects

vehicle and boat handling in rough/remote conditions

moving machinery and hand tools

driving vehicles in rough terrain and over long distances during day or night.

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