Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Establish the overall requirements of the field activities
  2. Scope all requirements to collect appropriate data under field conditions
  3. Select and adapt field protocols covering the field activities
  4. Design and document a detailed implementation plan
  5. Prepare a financial budget and staff training and work programs

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 and international standards, guidelines and codes covering 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 occupational protective equipment

legislation, regulations and government policy covering environmental management, sustainable development and impact assessment, and environmental protection measures

industry-specific codes, regulations and guidelines, such as (captured) animal welfare legislation, animal care and ethics regulations and codes of practice, and Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Orders) Regulations and Import Guidelines

standard methods for conducting field monitoring and surveys, specific environmental standards, survey plans, site-specific requirements, stakeholder consultation protocols, permits for access to land (e.g. Aboriginal reserves), permits and/or licences to undertake specific field activities (e.g. animal trapping), and wildlife capture and handling methods

workplace documents, such as ethics committee approval, standard operating procedures (SOPs), data quality procedures, equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks, field instrument operating instructions, calibration and maintenance schedules, instrument fault-finding procedures, general maintenance and repair procedures, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures, safety and accident/injury/emergency plans, survey/laboratory schedules, workplace recording and reporting procedures, and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures

field sampling plans, field monitoring or survey plans, and industry-based sampling and/or monitoring protocols

field test procedures (validated and authorised)

Environmental field activities

Environmental field activities include, but are not limited to, investigation of one or more of:

meteorology, geology, hydrology and ecology

water quality, industrial waste streams, air quality, noise and vibration

soils, flora, weeds, native fauna, exotic or pest species and threatened species

land use and cultural sites

Clients and stakeholders

Clients and stakeholders include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

fee-for-service clients

Commonwealth, state/territory and local government agencies

workplaces with monitoring and/or survey responsibilities

private companies

regulatory authorities

environment protection agencies

developers

The purpose or objectives of environmental field activities

The purpose or objectives of environmental field activities will define and target information needs and include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

part of workplace environmental management plan

statutory requirements

general environmental monitoring or surveys

research studies

Staff field tasks and roles

Staff field tasks and roles include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

team or project leader and survey coordinator

field sampling officer, field monitoring officer and data management officer

safety and/or environmental officer

field camp supervisor, field assistant or field-hand

driver

any combination of the above

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· 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

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

Performance Evidence

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

developing at least one (1) set of plans and quality assurance procedures covering multiple environmental field monitoring or survey activities

defining both the purpose of the environmental field activities and establishing their overall requirements

identifying and accurately interpreting relevant policy and statutory requirements

analysing drivers and constraints that may influence field activities

identifying the type, quality and quantity of data needed for defined field activities

clearly documenting the objectives and data quality procedures for field activities

reviewing and selecting appropriate field protocols, monitoring and survey methods

undertaking reconnaissance and evaluation of field sites

responding effectively to changes or unforeseen circumstances

negotiating effectively with stakeholders about multiple issues to reach satisfactory agreements

designing and documenting a final overall implementation plan that includes a budget, work program, quality procedures, training and resource requirements

clearly communicating the details of plans to staff, clients, stakeholders and other relevant parties.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

requirements of environmental legislation, regulations, policies, planning and assessment procedures relevant to field activities

terminology relevant to defined field activities

the purpose of the field activities, including:

information and analysis required

end users of information

significance of outcomes for broader programs

general field monitoring and survey protocols

common drivers and constraints, such as:

political agendas, social and economic issues

new monitoring protocols

recent environmental impact assessments or audits

media or public concerns

recent judicial decisions

field safety or accident issues

competencies and availability of staff

time available to plan and implement field activities

site-specific field monitoring and survey practices and techniques, data quality procedures for the field activities

current developments in field instrumentation, communication equipment and data storage/analysis systems relevant to field activities

rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in terms of relevant legislation such as work health and safety (WHS), environmental impact assessment and environmental protection

staff training procedures.