Required skills

Required skills include

field sampling and monitoring procedures including labelling and traceability

demonstrating correct and safe use under laboratory and field conditions of field instruments andor equipment including field calibration

identifying and rectifyingbasic instrument faults

collecting and preserving plants and animals to enable subsequent identification

operating communication systems

operating transportation systems

applying data quality procedures under field conditions

locating and managing of monitoring sites

communicating effectively and efficiently

reviewingand documenting emergency safety or environmental field plans

developing checklists covering instruments equipment and associated supplies

maintaining storing and transporting samplesspecimens to ensure their wellbeing viability and integrity

working safely for the protection of self and others

negotiating with staff and stakeholders and reaching satisfactory agreements where possible

responding effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

purpose and the objectives of a field activity including

information and analysis required

end users of information

significance of outcomes for broader programs

risk assessment principles

technical capabilities and limitations of common equipment and instruments

specific legislation and codes of practice related to sample and animal collection

a range of chemical and physical field monitoring procedures

enterprise procedures for the recording of field data

relevant health safety and environment requirements including field safetysurvival principles

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

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

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

demonstrate understanding of the purpose and objectives of a field activity including

information and analysis required

end users of information

significance of outcomes for broader programs

communicate effectively and efficiently with staff and other relevant parties

review a written work program and define the major field activities

review emergency safety or environmental field plans and document the key aspects which relate to a defined field activity

develop accurate and complete checklists covering instruments equipment and associated supplies necessary for a defined field activity

apply sampling testing and data quality procedures accurately under field conditions

prepare check and calibrate field instruments

demonstrate correct and safe use under laboratory and field conditions of field instruments andor equipment including field calibration

define and correctly prepare sample containers for different field samples

take samples under field conditions according to defined procedures

maintain store and transport samplesspecimens to ensure their wellbeing viability and integrity

pack and transport supplies equipment and instruments to andor from a field site

accurately perform field tests according to written instructions

record data and information conduct quality checks and field analysis

work safely for the protection of self and others

negotiate with staff and stakeholders and reach satisfactory agreements where possible

respond effectively to changed or unforseen circumstances

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSLA Maintain laboratoryfield workplace safety

MSL945001A Maintain laboratory/field workplace safety

MSLA Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan

MSL954001A Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan.

Resources may include

vehicles survey equipment samplingmonitoring equipment consumables and manuals

work program enterprise procedures codes of practice and field protocols

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of field data and results obtained by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers

demonstration of understanding of existing work program requirements by

developing a checklist of the resources required to carry out a defined work program

developing a list of all preand postmonitoring requirements

observation of fieldwork performed by candidate with a focus on

sample collection preservation storage and transportation

field sampling and monitoring procedures

accurate data recording

safety emergency and environmental aspects of monitoring activity

communication techniques

general site reconnaissance

response to simulation exercises with a focus on

accident and emergency situations

basic environmental impact assessment of a field site

loss of communication system and implementation of alternative procedures

demonstration of calibration use and general maintenance of field instruments and equipment

oral andor written questions to assess underpinning knowledge

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting

Environmental

A technical officer in an environmental protection authority is required to undertake an emergency monitoring program in a small catchment following a public complaint that a small industrial site has illegally discharged a concentrated sodium chlorideacid mixture into a nearby creek system The monitoring program requires three samples to be taken above and three samples below the industrial site over a distance of two kilometres Additional tests covering electrical conductivity pH temperature and turbidity are to be done in situ at the same time as when the samples are taken All samples and monitoring procedures are to be clearly documented and undertaken according to statutory and enterprise requirements as the results may potentially be required to be presented and crossexamined in court All of the above planning implementation and reporting must be completed within hours

Environmental

A technical officer is involved in a four day lake survey km from the laboratory The survey is designed to collect many water samples and undertake netting activity to determine the variety and food requirements of fish in the lake The technical officer is responsible for collecting the water samples in accordance with the predetermined sampling plan and enterprise sampling procedures and disposing of the fish samples after they have undergone fieldbased gut analysis Given the large number of water samples and the duration of the field trip the technical officer arranges for the hire of several way camping refrigerators gasVV to store and transport the water samples at C and for appropriate supervised burial of the fish samples at a local council landfill In addition heshe prepares checks and packs all the supplies and equipment

Environmental

In preparation for a major field trip to collect soil samples in a remote location a technical officer spent several weeks ensuring that all arrangements were in place The officer confirmed access to the site and located suitable maps aerial photos and reconnaissance data The logistics of food water hygiene fuel transport communications and safety were planned with senior staff to suit the fieldwork location duration and personnel involved The vehicles were serviced in preparation for remote offroad work and a full complement of spares was assembled All supplies and field equipment were purchased or assembled checked against an inventory and securely stowed in the vehicles

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Communications

Purpose of field monitoring activities

Related plans and procedures

Hazards

Safety procedures and control measures

Enterprise procedures for field activities

Administrative requirements and appropriate approvals

Equipment

Pre- and post-field activities

Field monitoring activities and skills

Management of field camp activities

Site and field issues and problems

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements